Pharisees

The Pharisees (likely meaning “separated”) were a group of legalists that developed around 165-160 BC after the Maccabean revolt. They were a prominent religious and political group in the Hebrew Bible, particularly during the Second Temple period (circa 538 BCE – 70 CE). They were known for their strict observance of the Torah, oral traditions, and their strong belief in the resurrection of the dead. The Pharisees often clashed with other groups, such as the Sadducees and the early followers of Jesus.

Background of the Pharisees

The Pharisees emerged as a distinct group after the Maccabean revolt in the 2nd century BCE during the Hasmonean period. They were committed to the interpretation and observance of the Torah, which they believed contained both written and oral components. Their oral traditions, a retelling of the Law based on their own interpretations and “secret” knowledge, were later codified in the Mishnah and the Talmud, central texts of Rabbinic Judaism. The Pharisees sought to apply the teachings of the Torah to everyday life, thus developing an extensive system of religious and ethical rules.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their self-righteousness, pretentiousness, pride, and lack of sympathy or charity (Matthew 6:2 ff; 23; Luke 18:9-14). They boasted in excessive prayers and the observance of the externals of the law, even in insignificant details. To them, the people who did not know the law were “accursed” (John 7:49). The large group of scribes and rabbis also were a part of the Pharisees’ group, and they used their powerful influence to try to take control of factions in the state. During the time of Christ, the Temple had been taken over by the Sadducees, who had corrupted the priesthood. One of the main goals of the Pharisees was to remove the Sadducees from power and restore holiness to the Temple.

Notable Members

1. Gamaliel: A respected Pharisee doctor of Jewish law and a member of the Sanhedrin. He is mentioned in Acts 5:34-40, where he advised leniency towards the apostles.
2. Nicodemus: A member of the Jewish ruling council and a Pharisee who approached Jesus by night to discuss his teachings, as described in John 3:1-21. He later helped prepare Jesus’ body for burial (John 19:39-42).
3. Saul of Tarsus (later Paul the Apostle): Before his conversion to Christianity, Paul was a Pharisee who actively persecuted early Christians (Acts 8:1-3, 9:1-22). After his conversion, he became a leading figure in the early Christian movement.
4. Simon the Pharisee: In Luke 7:36-50, Jesus dined at the house of a Pharisee named Simon. During the dinner, a sinful woman entered and anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume. Jesus forgave the woman’s sins, which led Simon to question Jesus’ authority. This story highlights the Pharisees’ skepticism and self-righteousness.

Religious Beliefs

The main teachings of the Pharisees came from their “oral law,” which sought to remodel the law for their modern city culture. They felt that since the law was given under a nomadic lifestyle, it needed to be reworked to fit into their new culture and be relevant. By taking an allegorical interpretation of Scripture, they created hundreds of rules and laws which one needed to follow to live what they would call a righteous life. However, the Pharisees did have a strong understanding of God and emphasized both God’s sovereignty and man’s free will. They believed in the resurrection of the dead, after death judgment, and angels, but the nature of their teaching was more about good ethics than theology. The Pharisees had a major presence teaching in the synagogues during the time of Christ. Because of this, most people in Israel had an extremely positive view of the Pharisees as a whole.

Biblical Timeline

• The Pharisees challenged Jesus on numerous occasions, including disagreements over Sabbath observance (Matthew 12:1-14, Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-11), dietary laws (Matthew 15:1-20, Mark 7:1-23), and the issue of paying taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26).
• Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, legalism, and lack of compassion (Matthew 23, Luke 11:37-54).
• After Jesus’ crucifixion, the Pharisees played a role in the persecution of early Christians (Acts 4:1-22, 5:17-42, 7:54-8:3).

Additional Notes

Extrabiblical References to Pharisees

The Pharisees are also mentioned in various non-biblical sources. Some notable examples include:

1. Josephus: A Jewish historian who wrote extensively about the Pharisees in his works “Antiquities of the Jews” and “The Jewish War.” Josephus, himself a former Pharisee, provides insights into their beliefs, practices, and political influence during the Second Temple period.
2. Dead Sea Scrolls: The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century, contain numerous references to the Pharisees. Although the authors of the scrolls (likely the Essenes) often criticized the Pharisees, these texts still provide valuable information about the group’s beliefs and practices.
3. Rabbinic literature: The Talmud and other Rabbinic texts, which emerged from the Pharisaic tradition, provide an extensive record of Pharisaic teachings, legal interpretations, and religious practices.