QS — Why Did Jesus Denounce the Pharisees

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Who were the Pharisees, and what were the reasons that Christ used such harsh language in denouncing their practies? References also, please.

The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions that developed around it. They emphasized purity, tithing, and the observance of the Sabbath2. The Pharisees were influential in the synagogues and among the Jewish people, often stressing the importance of both the written and oral law.

Christ used harsh language to denounce the Pharisees’ practices for several reasons:

  1. Hypocrisy: Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their outward piety while neglecting the more important matters of the heart. For example, in Matthew 23:27-28, He said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
  2. Legalism: The Pharisees were known for their meticulous observance of the law, often adding their own interpretations and traditions that burdened the people. Jesus emphasized the spirit of the law over the letter, challenging their legalistic approach1.
  3. Self-Righteousness: Jesus denounced the Pharisees for their self-righteous attitude, believing they were morally superior to others. In Matthew 5:20, He said, “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.”
  4. Opposition to Jesus: The Pharisees frequently questioned Jesus’ authority and sought to undermine His teachings. They accused Him of blasphemy and plotted against Him, seeing Him as a threat to their religious authority2.

These reasons are reflected in various passages throughout the Gospels, such as Matthew 23, Mark 2, and Luke 11.

1 biblehub.com
2 biblehub.com
3 www.learnreligions.com

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