The Pharisees are among the most well-known religious groups in the New Testament. They were deeply religious, experts in the Law, and strict in their observances—but they were also blind to the very Messiah they claimed to be waiting for. Jesus’ strongest rebukes were reserved for them, not for the sinners and tax collectors. Their outward righteousness concealed a heart that was far from God, and their legalism led them to reject the One who fulfilled the Law.
Let’s examine who they were, what they taught, how Jesus rebuked them, and what warnings we should take from their example.
Who Were the Pharisees?
The Pharisees were a religious sect in Israel that emerged during the intertestamental period (the time between Malachi and Matthew). Their name, “Pharisee” (from the Hebrew perushim), means “separated ones.” They sought to separate themselves from impurity and uphold the Law of Moses with the strictest interpretation.
They were not priests but laymen—scribes, scholars, and religious leaders. By the time of Jesus, they had great influence over the Jewish people and were highly respected. Paul himself was once a Pharisee, saying:
“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.” (Acts 22:3)
Though they were zealous for the Law, they were also hypocrites, as Jesus often exposed. They followed man-made traditions that placed burdens on people rather than bringing them closer to God.
All Mentions of the Pharisees in Scripture
The Pharisees are mentioned 98 times in the New Testament. They are frequently seen debating with Jesus, questioning His authority, and ultimately plotting to kill Him. Here are a few examples:
John the Baptist rebukes them
“Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:7)Nicodemus, a Pharisee, comes to Jesus
“Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2)The Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy
“Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Luke 5:21)Jesus condemns their traditions
“Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” (Matthew 15:6)The Pharisees demand signs
“A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” (Matthew 16:4)Jesus warns against the leaven of the Pharisees
“Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:6)The Pharisees test Jesus on divorce
“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” (Matthew 19:3)The seven woes against the Pharisees
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25)They plot to kill Jesus
“Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.” (John 11:53)
The Pharisees opposed Jesus at every turn because He exposed their self-righteousness and revealed their spiritual blindness.
The Doctrine of the Pharisees
Jesus warned His disciples:
“Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:6)
The “leaven” referred to their doctrine. What did they believe?
They believed in strict adherence to the Law
The Pharisees were devoted to the Mosaic Law and the oral traditions that had been passed down. They added extra rules and regulations to ensure no one came close to breaking the Law.
“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders” (Matthew 23:4).
They believed in oral traditions over Scripture
They had interpretations and expansions of the Law known as the Talmud and Mishnah, which became more authoritative than the written Word of God.
“Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3).
They believed in the resurrection of the dead and angels
Unlike the Sadducees, they accepted life after death and the spiritual realm.
“For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.” (Acts 23:8)
They were obsessed with outward righteousness
Jesus exposed their hypocrisy:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25)
They were legalistic and lacked mercy
Jesus rebuked them:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.” (Matthew 23:23)
Their religion was external but their hearts were far from God.
How Jesus Rebuked the Pharisees
Jesus did not tolerate their hypocrisy, pride, and spiritual blindness. His strongest rebukes were against them:
They were blind guides – “They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15:14)
They were full of pride – “For they love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces” (Matthew 23:6-7)
They were children of hell – “You travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15)
They were murderers at heart – “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:33)
Jesus loved sinners but rebuked the Pharisees because their religion was about appearance, not relationship.
The Pharisees’ Plot to Kill Jesus
Their hatred of Jesus grew because He exposed their false righteousness. In their jealousy and rage, they sought to kill Him:
“Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.” (Matthew 12:14)
“The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, ‘What shall we do? For this Man works many signs… If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.’” (John 11:47-48)
Their hatred led them to conspire with Judas (Luke 22:2-6) and demand Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27:20).
The Warning Against Religious Legalism
Jesus gave a final warning:
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” (Luke 12:1)
Legalism is dangerous because it makes righteousness about works rather than grace. It can lead people to miss Jesus entirely while believing they are righteous.
Paul later said:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
My Final Thoughts
The Pharisees had knowledge but no relationship with God. Their legalism blinded them to grace, and their pride kept them from repentance.
As believers, we must reject self-righteousness and embrace true faith in Christ, which is based on grace, not works.
