The Pharisees.

The Pharisees

Matthew 15:1–3

“Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”
— Matthew 15:1–3

The word Pharisee literally means “the separated ones.” Collectively, the Pharisees were an influential and extraordinary sect among the Jews.

The spirit and attitude of Phariseeism had already been present in post-exilic Jewry long before the Pharisees took their historical form under that name. When the remnant Jews returned from exile, they desired to build a Jewish nation separated from all other nations and consecrated unto Jehovah. For example, by common consent, mixed marriages were dissolved.

They were also associated with the idea of being “the pious ones.” They tried to live strictly, and often literally, according to the law. Some of them were so strict concerning the Sabbath that they would rather be killed than lift a hand in self-defence on the Sabbath day.

Their enemies labelled them “separatists” because of their pious, but often proud and petty, exclusiveness.

Three Dominating Features of the Pharisees

1. Separation

They desired to be separate from all that was unclean. In itself, separation unto God is a good thing. However, among the Pharisees, this often degenerated into pride, contempt, and a false sense of spiritual superiority.

2. A Fanatical Adherence to the Letter of the Law

They were very careful about outward details, but often neglected the weightier matters of the law.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”
— Matthew 23:23–28

They tithed mint, anise, and cummin, but neglected judgment, mercy, and faith. They cleaned the outside of the cup and platter, while inwardly they were full of extortion and excess.

3. They Paraded Their Virtues Before God in Prayer

In Luke 18:11–12, our Lord gives the example of a Pharisee who prayed with confidence in himself.

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”
— Luke 18:11–12

His prayer was not the cry of a sinner seeking mercy, but the self-congratulation of a proud religious man.

The Weaknesses of the Pharisees

1. Their Sanctimonious Snobbery Toward the Common People

The Pharisees often despised the common people. They looked down upon those who did not know the law according to their standards.

“Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.”
— John 7:47–49

2. They Were Prone to Hypocrisy

Many of them had religion outwardly, but their hearts were far from God. They were concerned with appearance before men, but not with inward purity before God.

This kind of religion discouraged many common people. The mass of the people gave up trying altogether and resigned themselves to being “unlucky sinners,” as though holiness belonged only to an elite religious class.

Good Things About the Pharisees

It is important to be fair. Not everything about the Pharisees was evil.

1. There Were Sincere Souls Among Them

In the Pharisaic movement, there were sincere men, though often misguided. Nicodemus was a Pharisee who came to Jesus by night.

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:1–3

Gamaliel was also a Pharisee and a doctor of the law, respected among the people. He gave wise counsel concerning the apostles.

“Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
— Acts 5:34–39

2. They Helped Keep the Messianic Hope Alive

During the intertestamental period, the Pharisees helped preserve the hope of the coming Messiah. They believed that God would fulfil His promises to Israel and bring His kingdom.

3. They Preached the Hope of Bodily Resurrection

Unlike the Sadducees, the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead.

“For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.”
— Acts 23:8

They taught that the faithful would be raised when the Messiah brought His kingdom. They even said that one who denies the resurrection of the dead has no share in the world to come.

4. Jesus Disagreed More with Their Practice Than with Their Basic Teaching

In Matthew 23:1–3, the Lord Jesus told the people to observe what the scribes and Pharisees taught from Moses’ seat, but not to follow their works.

“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”
— Matthew 23:1–3

Their great problem was not merely doctrinal ignorance, but hypocrisy, pride, and lack of true spiritual life.

Lessons We Can Learn from the Pharisees

1. We Must Not Put Confidence in the Flesh

Paul says:

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
— Philippians 3:3

This is a vital lesson. Religion, morality, knowledge, family background, outward obedience, church attendance, and even zeal cannot save a sinner. Salvation is in Christ alone.

2. Outward Religion Without Regeneration Cannot Save

Without regeneration, there is no hope of even beginning true holiness. A man may be religious, disciplined, moral, and knowledgeable, yet still remain dead in trespasses and sins.

The Pharisees knew the law, but many of them missed salvation because they did not come to Christ. They were clean outwardly, but not inwardly. They were religious, but not born again.

3. Knowledge of Religious Things Is Not Salvation

Many in Kenya today think they are Christians because they studied Christian Religious Education in school and passed their examinations with flying colours. But my friend, this cannot save you.

Look at the Pharisees. They knew the law. They memorized Scripture. They were religiously disciplined. Yet many of them missed salvation because they rejected Christ.

4. Morality Cannot Take Anyone to Heaven

Some think they are morally upright and that this is enough to take them to heaven. Others say they come from a Christian background, or that their parents are saved.

But my friend, let me tell you plainly: the Bible teaches that you must be born again.

The Lord Jesus did not say to Nicodemus, “You are religious enough.” He did not say, “You are a teacher in Israel, and therefore all is well.” He said:

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3

And again:

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
— John 3:7

Conclusion

The Pharisees warn us that a man may have religion without Christ, morality without regeneration, zeal without grace, and knowledge without salvation. Therefore, let us not rest in outward performance, religious background, or human morality. Let us rest only in Christ Jesus, for except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.