The Pharisees: Difference between revisions

The Pharisees were a Jewish sect that emerged around 150 B.C. The Greek term ϕ''αρισα''ῖος (pharisaîos)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/eng/greek/5330.html |title=Strong's #5330 - Φαρισαῖος |website=StudyLight.org |publisher= |date= |year= |author= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> corresponds to ''Perushim'' in Hebrew, derived from the verb ''פָּרָשׁ''‎ (parash), meaning “to separate.” This designation signifies “those who are separated.”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/eng/hebrew/6567.html |title=Strong's #6567 - פָּרַשׁ |website=StudyLight.org |publisher= |date= |year= |author= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://biblehub.com/greek/5330.htm |title=5330. Pharisaios |website=Bible Hub |publisher= |date= |year= |author= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6567.htm |title=6567. parash |website=Bible Hub |publisher= |date= |year= |author= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>  

==Characteristics==

In Jewish society during Jesus’ time, the Pharisees held the most significant sway over the public.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205%3A34&version=NET Acts 5:34 sn], ''BibleGateway''</ref> Unlike the Sadducees, who were led by high priests and an aristocratic class centered on the [[temple]], the Pharisees, mainly consisting of the Jewish middle class, expanded their influence through public support, being facilitated by their organization around [[Synagogue|synagogues]].  

*'''Tempted Jesus With Paying Taxes'''

:The Pharisees once approached Jesus with a question about paying taxes to the Roman emperor, Caesar, hoping to trap him. When Jesus asked to see the coin used for paying taxes, He was presented with a Roman denarius.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+22%3A15-22&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 22:15–22 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> During that era, the obverse of the denarius coin bore the inscription “Caesar,” along with the likeness of Tiberius, who held the title of Caesar during that period. Upon seeing the image of Caesar and the inscription on the coin, Jesus responded wisely, saying, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Later, the high priest and the Pharisees accused Jesus before Pilate, the governor, seeking His execution. They falsely claimed that Jesus opposed paying taxes to Caesar and declared Himself to be the Messiah, a king.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Luke+23%3A1-2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Luke 23:1–2 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+19%3A12-16&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 19:12–16 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>

* '''Jesus’ Rebuke'''

:Jesus acknowledged the Pharisees’ commitment to observing the law to some extent.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+5%3A20&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 5:20 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> However, He rebuked them for prioritizing human traditions over the commandments of God, due to their extreme legalism.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+15%3A3-6&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 15:3–6 |quote= }}</ref> He rebuked the Pharisees who made their phylacteries<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phylactery phylactery], ''Merriam-Webster''</ref> wide and the tassels on their garments long,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+23%3A1-7&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 23:1–7 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> only emphasize fancy and formality, as the “prophets who are like whitewashed tombs full of greed and lawlessness.”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+23%3A25-28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 23:25–28 |quote= }}</ref> Jesus emphasized the importance of inner qualities such as compassion, humility, and mercy over mere outward displays of religious observance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+23%3A23&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 23:23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=LUKE+18&OLWordSearchRange=beg&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Luke 18 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>

Jesus admonished the Pharisees for their pride in their knowledge of the Scriptures, yet their rejection of Him as the Messiah and their efforts to hinder others from believing in Him. He warned them, saying, “Those who shut the door of the [[Heaven|kingdom of heaven]] that neither they themselves nor those who are trying to enter cannot enter.”