The concept of Pharisee in Christianity
The term Pharisee refers to a significant religious group in Christianity known for their strict adherence to Jewish law and rituals. They are often criticized by Jesus for hypocrisy and for prioritizing minor details over essential spiritual matters. The Pharisees engaged actively with Jesus, questioning his authority and teachings, and played a central role in the socio-religious dynamics of the time. Their interactions with Jesus illustrate the contrast between traditional law observance and the new message brought by Christ.
Synonyms: Hypocrite, Self-righteous
In Malay: Farisi; In Swedish: 贵补谤颈蝉茅; In Spanish: Fariseo; In Dutch: 贵补谤颈锄别别毛谤; In Finnish: Fariseus; In German: 笔丑补谤颈蝉盲别谤; In French: Pharisien
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Pharisee'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) The Pharisees are those who, like the companions of Ulysses, handle the word unskilfully, passing by not the Sirens, but the rhythm and the melody, stopping their ears with ignorance.[1] (2) A group whose teachings are compared to a type of leaven that Jesus's disciples are cautioned against, representing a certain lump of ancient teaching that is not desired by Jesus for his followers.[2] (3) The scribes and the Pharisees were taught about the kingdom of heaven, signifying that discussions and teachings were aimed at these groups about the concept of the divine realm.[3] (4) This phrase refers to a group of individuals, highlighting the theme of conflict, and emphasizing the importance of understanding religious authority, and indicating the opposition.[4] (5) This identifies a specific group of people, and their actions are contrasted with the advent of the Son, highlighting the importance of belief.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) These are religious leaders, who are mentioned in the text, and are aware of the meaning of the parables being spoken.[6] (2) This refers to a specific religious group mentioned in the text, representing a distinct faction with particular beliefs and practices.[7] (3) This group, along with the lawyers, rejected the counsel of God and were not baptized by John, implying they did not accept his message.[8] (4) This group of people were critical of Jesus and his disciples for not following the traditional rules of the Sabbath, and they are mentioned.[9] (5) This term refers to a group of people who are compared to a dog in the provided text, specifically regarding their actions and impact on others.[10]
From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus
(1) These individuals, along with the lawyers, rejected the counsel of God and did not receive baptism, contrasting with those who justified God.[11] (2) The Pharisees came unto Pilate with the chief priests to ask for the sepulchre to be made secure, as stated in the text.[12] (3) This individual, also known as Simon, invited Jesus to dine with him, and Jesus accepted this invitation, entering his residence for a meal.[13] (4) These were individuals who had given a commandment regarding Jesus and were present when Jesus was teaching.[14] (5) These individuals sought to trap Jesus with questions, devising a plan to entangle him in his speech and actions.[15]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) This refers to the religious group who were present with John's disciples, and they questioned Jesus' disciples' actions and compared them to their own.[16] (2) This group of people were present when Jesus was speaking, and they were gathering together to listen and potentially ask questions to understand the teachings being shared.[17] (3) Jesus gave the same combination of two passages in his last duel with these people.[18] (4) This term represents a group of people who questioned the actions of Jesus and his disciples, particularly their association with publicans and sinners, showing their disapproval.[19] (5) Certain of the sect of the Pharisees believed, and were especially zealous for all the separating prescriptions of the ceremonial law, and were the ones who contended with Peter.[20]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) A group who joined with the Jewish politicians, adherents of the ruling dynasty, in getting rid of One who thwarted the views of both alike by setting up a spiritual kingdom adverse both to legalism and to the temporal kingdom of Herodianism.[21] (2) This phrase refers to the people who set James on a pinnacle of the temple and begged him to restrain the people who were going astray after Jesus.[22] (3) These individuals were among those who desired a sign, and the text describes their reaction to the miracle of Lazarus's resurrection, and how it led to plots against Jesus.[23] (4) This is one of the classes of people that flocked to John from every quarter.[24] (5) This group, as mentioned in the text, is noted for their reactions and interactions, particularly their retorts and questions, in the narrative.[25]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) These are the individuals to whom the sin of unreality was specially addicted, and to it, therefore, He drew their attention constantly, and it was the lack of this sense by the Pharisees, so far as they were themselves personally concerned, that constituted the great obstacle to their conversion, according to the text.[26] (2) The rise of the Pharisees and the development of the Essenes plainly showed that the fortune of the Jews was not to be made in the political field, according to the provided text.[27] (3) The text mentions that the practice of wearing phylacteries likely extended beyond this group and their adherents in the first century.[28] (4) This term represents a group that is linked to the Scribes and is essential to understanding their role within their community and the larger context of the society.[29] (5) The Pharisees refer to a group mentioned in the text, and the genius of Judaism itself, as well as the class of men, was coming more and more into prominence in the critical period of fifty years preceding the war.[30]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) A member of the Sanhedrim, Nicodemus, was also a Pharisee, and he was drawn to the teachings of Jesus, yet he was hesitant to openly support him due to his societal position.[31] (2) The Pharisees are a group whose zeal for making proselytes was rebuked, and they were the ones who had the desire to make proselytes.[32] (3) The parable of the Pharisee and Publican shows how much these were given to voluntary and private fasts.[33] (4) The Pharisees, during the time of Jesus, scrupulously paid their tithes but neglected the weightier matters of the law, according to the text.[34] (5) The Pharisees are mentioned in relation to the payment of tithes on mint and other herbs, indicating their adherence to certain religious laws, while overlooking more significant moral responsibilities, and they were also criticized for this practice.[35]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) These were a religious group who were known for their strict adherence to religious laws, and Christ sometimes contrasted His teachings with their practices.[36] (2) A group of Jewish religious leaders known for their adherence to religious law, who accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub.[37] (3) The Pharisees were reproved for teaching that for the sake of religion one ought to refrain from paying one鈥檚 parents the honor we owe them, and Our Lord reproved them for this teaching in a particular gospel.[38] (4) A group who were criticized for their focus on minor details, such as paying tithes on herbs, while neglecting more important spiritual matters, as described within the provided text.[39] (5) A group of Jews who practiced baptisms for carnal cleanliness, which is contrasted with the baptism of John, which was ordered unto spiritual cleanliness in the text.[40]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) An example of someone who was negatively impacted by pride, as referenced in the Gospel.[41]
From: The Second Helvetic Confession
(1) These are individuals whose teachings concerning the law were contrasted with the teaching of the Gospel, which seemed new at first.[42]
Gnostic concept of 'Pharisee'
From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten
(1) A Jewish sect contemporary with the Essenes, known for their strict adherence to the law, whose teachings and practices had both similarities and differences with those of the Essenes.[43]
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) The Pharisees were the principal teachers at the time of the promulgation of Christianity, and it is suggested that their appellation may have come from the word Pharsi, "Persian."[44]