Pharisees

Lore & Background

The Pharisees appear repeatedly in Matthew as a group that tests and opposes Jesus. They question why Jesus eats with sinners (Matthew 9:11), why his disciples do not fast (Matthew 9:14), and why they work on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:2). They accuse Jesus of casting out devils by the prince of devils (Matthew 9:34, Matthew 12:24) and demand a sign from him (Matthew 12:38, Matthew 16:1). Their opposition escalates to plotting his destruction (Matthew 12:14) and trying to entangle him in his talk (Matthew 22:15).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray the Pharisees as consistently hostile to Jesus and his ministry. They are depicted as legalistic, focusing on outward observance while neglecting inner righteousness (Matthew 23:23, Matthew 23:25, Matthew 23:27). Jesus warns that their righteousness is insufficient for the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20) and that their doctrine is like leaven to be avoided (Matthew 16:6, Matthew 16:11, Matthew 16:12). The Pharisees are shown as hypocrites who shut the kingdom of heaven against others (Matthew 23:13) and make converts who are worse than themselves (Matthew 23:15). Their interactions with Jesus are marked by testing, accusation, and conspiracy, culminating in their perception that Jesus' parables were spoken against them (Matthew 21:45).

Did You Know?

• The Pharisees are called a 'generation of vipers' by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7).
• Jesus says the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, implying they have authority (Matthew 23:2).
• The Pharisees are said to 'devour widows' houses' while making long prayers (Matthew 23:14).
• Jesus compares the Pharisees to 'whited sepulchres'—beautiful outside but full of uncleanness inside (Matthew 23:27).

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