THE PHARISEES
The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish movement during Second Temple Judaism, known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions. Their name, meaning “separated ones,” reflects their commitment to distinguishing themselves through religious observance.
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During the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were influential in shaping Jewish thought and practice. They emphasized the importance of both the written Torah and the oral traditions that interpreted it. This dual focus allowed them to adapt Jewish law to everyday life, making it accessible to the broader community.
Several passages in the New Testament highlight the Pharisees’ interactions with Jesus and their role in Jewish society:
Jesus acknowledges the authority of the Pharisees in teaching the Law but warns against their hypocrisy, saying, “
( Matthew 23: 1- 3 )
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do, for they preach, but do not practice.”
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” ( Luke 18: 10- 14 )
Historical Context
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector illustrates the Pharisees’ piety, as the Pharisee prays about his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly seeks mercy.
Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!” 7 This divided the council—the Pharisees against the Sadducees— 8 for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these.
( Acts 23: 6- 8 )
The Apostle Paul, himself a former Pharisee, acknowledges his background when he says, “I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Legacy
After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, the Pharisees’ interpretations of Jewish law laid the groundwork for Rabbinic Judaism. Their focus on ethics, communal worship, and the importance of study continues to influence Jewish practice today.
Though the Pharisees as a distinct group no longer exist, their traditions and teachings remain vital to various Jewish movements, showcasing their lasting impact on the faith and culture.
Pharisees and Sadducees: Conflicts in Judaism
The conflicts between the Pharisees and Sadducees arose within a broader context of social and religious tensions among Jews during the time of Roman rule. These disputes were shaped by differing cultural attitudes and interpretations of Jewish law.
Cultural Conflicts
One significant area of conflict was cultural: the Sadducees were more inclined towards Hellenization, embracing Greek culture and ideas, while the Pharisees resisted this influence, striving to maintain traditional Jewish values and practices.
Religious Differences
Another point of contention was juridical and religious. The Sadducees emphasized the Temple’s rites and services as central to Jewish worship and adhered strictly to the Written Torah. In contrast, the Pharisees valued the entire Mosaic Law, including the Oral Torah, and emphasized its application to everyday life. This disagreement extended to beliefs about resurrection and afterlife, with the Sadducees rejecting these concepts, which the Pharisees upheld.
Historical Context
The Jewish historian Josephus (c. 37–c. 100 CE), believed by many to have been a Pharisee, estimated that there were around 6,000 Pharisees before the fall of the Second Temple. He noted their significant influence over the common people, stating that anything they said against the king or high priest was taken seriously, contrasting with the elite status of the Sadducees, who represented the priestly class.
The New Testament frequently mentions the Pharisees, often highlighting their interactions with Jesus. While there were hostilities between Jesus and the Pharisees, there were also notable Pharisees who believed in him. For example, Nicodemus approached Jesus, acknowledging him as a teacher sent from God.
After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” ( John 3: 2 )
Joseph of Arimathea, another Pharisee, was a secret disciple of Jesus.
Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. ( John 19: 38 )
Additionally, the Apostle Paul, a student of the respected Pharisee Gamaliel, defended the apostles by warning the Sanhedrin that opposing them could mean opposing God.
But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. 35 Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! 36 Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. 37 After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered. 38 “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!” ( Acts 5: 34- 39 )
Through these conflicts and interactions, the Pharisees played a crucial role in shaping early Jewish thought, and their legacy continues to influence Judaism today.
The Origins and Meaning of “Pharisee”
The term “Pharisee” has rich linguistic roots, tracing back to the Ancient Greek word Pharisaios (Φαρισαῖος), which derives from the Aramaic Pərīšā (פְּרִישָׁא) and its plural Pərīšayyā (פְּרִישַׁיָּא), . These terms mean “set apart” or “separated,” and are linked to the Hebrew Pārūš (פָּרוּשׁ) and its plural Pərūšīm (פְּרוּשִׁים) This separation often referred to their distinction from Gentiles, sources of ritual impurity, and irreligious Jews.
Additionally, the name may carry a political connotation, suggesting a division from the Sadducee elite. Yitzhak Isaac Halevi characterized the Pharisees and Sadducees as political sects rather than strictly religious ones.
Some scholars, like Thomas Walter Manson and Louis Finkelstein, propose an alternative origin, linking “Pharisee” to the Aramaic words pārsāh or parsāh, meaning “Persian” or “Persianizer.” They connect this to the Persian term pārsi, meaning ‘Persian.’ However, Shaye J. D. Cohen from Harvard University disputes this view, affirming that most scholars agree the term derives from the Hebrew and Aramaic root meaning “separated.”
History of the Pharisees
Origins (c. 600 BCE – c. 160 BCE)
The Pharisees emerged in the context of the Babylonian Exile (597–587 BCE), which transformed Jewish religious life. During this period, synagogues and houses of study became vital centers for worship and education.
After the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great allowed Jews to return and rebuild the Temple in 515 BCE. The absence of a restored monarchy shifted authority to the priests, leading to the rise of various sects, including the Sadducees.
As Jewish life evolved, priests controlled the Temple rituals while scribes and sages, later known as rabbis, interpreted the Torah. They emphasized an Oral Tradition that complemented the written texts.
Emergence of the Pharisees
The Pharisees developed from the scholarly class of scribes and sages during the Hellenistic period, particularly after Alexander the Great’s conquests (332 BCE). They advocated for the observance of purity laws by all Jews, not just those in the Temple. Josephus noted their popularity among the common people, in contrast to the elite Sadducees.
The Pharisees favored a flexible interpretation of the Torah, exemplified in their understanding of “an eye for an eye” as monetary compensation, rather than the literal punishment favored by the Sadducees.
The Hasmonean Period
The Hasmonean dynasty (starting in 152 BCE) established a new monarchy but lacked Davidic legitimacy. Tensions grew, especially under King Alexander Jannaeus, who sided with the Sadducees, leading to civil strife. After his death, Queen Salome Alexandra reconciled with the Pharisees, allowing them to gain significant influence.
The Roman Period
In 63 BCE, Pompey captured Jerusalem. The Pharisees sought to restore the priesthood and distanced themselves from the Hasmoneans. While they initially cooperated with the Romans, they faced persecution under Herod, who favored the Sadducees.
Despite these challenges, the Pharisees emphasized that Jewish life and law could exist outside the Temple, paving the way for the development of Rabbinic Judaism.
Legacy
The Pharisees’ teachings evolved through debates with the Sadducees and internal discussions about Jewish law. Their belief in an Oral Torah and adaptability formed the foundation for Rabbinic Judaism, which is central to modern Jewish practice.
This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel. ( Ezra 7 : 10 )
Emphasizes the importance of studying and teaching the Torah, a core Pharisaic value.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. ( Matthew 5 : 20 )
Jesus mentions the righteousness of the Pharisees, reflecting their significant role in Jewish society.