Pharisees
A Jewish social movement and school of thought foundational to Rabbinic Judaism.
The Pharisees were a Jewish social movement and school of thought in the Levant during the time of Second Temple Judaism. Following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, Pharisaic beliefs became the foundational, liturgical, and ritualistic basis for Rabbinic Judaism.
- Number of direct confrontations with Jes
- At least 12 (Matthew 9:11, Matthew 9:34, Matthew 12:2, Matthew 12:14, Matthew 12:24, Matthew 12:38, Matthew 16:1, Matthew 19:3, Matthew 22:15, Matthew 22:34, Matthew 22:41, Matthew 23:2)
- Times called 'hypocrites' by Jesus
- 5 (Matthew 23:13, Matthew 23:14, Matthew 23:15, Matthew 23:23, Matthew 23:25, Matthew 23:27)
- Times they conspired against Jesus
- 3 (Matthew 12:14, Matthew 21:45, Matthew 22:15)
- Accusations they made against Jesus
- 3 (Matthew 9:34, Matthew 12:24, Matthew 12:38)
Lore & Background
The Pharisees are first historically mentioned in the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The Jewish historian Josephus, believed by many to have been a Pharisee, estimated there were around 6,000 adherents before the fall of the Second Temple. Conflicts between Pharisees and Sadducees involved cultural differences (Pharisees resisted Hellenization), juridical-religious differences (Pharisees emphasized Mosaic Laws over Temple rites), and different interpretations of the Torah (Pharisees accepted Oral Torah and resurrection of the dead, while Sadducees recognized only the Written Torah). Pharisees claimed Mosaic authority for their interpretation of Jewish law.
Reader's Guide
The name 'Pharisee' derives from Ancient Greek Pharisaios, from Aramaic Pərīšā, meaning 'set apart, separated', related to Hebrew Pārūš. It may refer to separation from Gentiles, sources of ritual impurity, or irreligious Jews. Alternatively, some scholars suggest a political meaning as 'separatists' due to division from the Sadducee elite. The Mishnah, redacted around 200 AD by Judah ha-Nasi, compiled Pharisaic oral interpretations and traditions into a single authoritative text.
Did You Know?
- The Pharisees are believed by many historians to have numbered about 6,000 before the fall of the Second Temple.
- Josephus said Pharisee influence over common people was so great that anything they said against the king or high priest was believed.
- The Mishnah, redacted around 200 AD, compiled Pharisaic oral traditions and helped preserve them after the Temple's destruction.
Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)
"The Pharisees were at various times a political party, a social movement, and a school of thought in the Holy Land during the time of Second Temple Judaism." — Pharisees "The Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence." — Pharisees "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him." — Pharisees "The scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him." — Pharisees
Elsewhere in the Figures of Scripture universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record