Articles
Word Of The Week: Pharisee
In Jesus’ day there were several distinct subgroups of Jews, one of which was the Pharisees. Jesus reserved some of His most scathing rebuke for these men. Why?
The Pharisees were very dedicated to the letter of the law, but it wasn’t this trait that Jesus found so offensive. Rather, it was hypocrisy. Jesus faulted them for being insincere and for having a superior attitude toward others. They were more interested in impressing their fellow man and securing their favor than in truly serving God.
For example, Jesus said the Pharisees would rescue a donkey from a ditch on the Sabbath but criticized Him for healing the sick on the same day. Pharisees loved the prominent seats at gatherings, prayed and fasted to show off their piousness, and avoided the weightier demands of the law whenever they could.
And, of course, Pharisees greatly opposed Jesus and plotted His death with their political enemies. Sometimes those who appear religious are not.
