Who were the Pharisees in the Bible?

Origins and Historical Context

The Pharisees first rose to prominence during the late Second Temple period, around the time of the Hasmonean dynasty (second century BC). Their name is believed to derive from a Hebrew or Aramaic root meaning “to separate,” reflecting a primary concern for holiness and ritual purity. The historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews 13.5.9; 17.2.4) mentions them as one of the significant Jewish groups, along with the Sadducees and Essenes, pointing to their substantial influence in Jewish religious and political affairs.

The Dead Sea Scrolls also provide circumstantial evidence of the general religious climate, showcasing a diversity of Jewish religious beliefs in the Second Temple era. Within this climate, the Pharisees stressed the importance of applying strict interpretations of the Law—known as the Torah—to the everyday lives of the people, aiming to keep Israel monotheistic and distinct from pagan cultures.

Core Beliefs and Practices

Although the Pharisees shared certain standard Jewish doctrines such as monotheism and obedience to the Law, they set themselves apart in specific ways. One key belief was the acknowledgment of the resurrection of the dead and the existence of angels and spirits (Acts 23:8). This contrasted with the Sadducees, who denied these doctrines.

Additionally, they put significant weight on the “oral tradition,” or the traditions of the elders, believing this interpretive framework helped clarify the written Law. Ancient rabbinic sources and later compilations, such as portions of the Talmud, reflect the Pharisaic influence in codifying and teaching these traditions. This oral tradition functioned to address practical questions about Sabbath observance, dietary laws, ritual purity, and other facets of devotion.

The Pharisees in the Gospels

The New Testament presents several portraits of Pharisees in interaction with Jesus. These encounters highlight both the Pharisees’ dedication to applying the Law and their frequent tendency to focus on external righteousness. In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces “woes” upon the Pharisees, citing their emphasis on tithing and ritual correctness while neglecting “justice, mercy, and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23). The Gospels emphasize that such an imbalance could lead to hypocrisy—adhering strictly to outward forms of piety while missing God’s call to humility and love.

One emblematic example of their rivalry with Jesus emerges in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9–14). The Pharisee prays about his own righteousness, contrasting himself with the tax collector who humbly asks for mercy. This contrast demonstrates the crucial biblical principle that God values contrition of heart over merit-based religious formalism.

Nevertheless, not all Pharisees opposed Jesus. In John 3:1–21, Nicodemus, a member of the Pharisees, respectfully meets with Jesus to inquire about His message. Later, Nicodemus defends Jesus’ right to a fair hearing (John 7:50–51) and is involved in His burial (John 19:39–42). These passages underscore that while many representatives of this group clashed with Jesus, some were sincere truth-seekers.

Paul the Apostle’s Pharisaic Background

An important figure who emerged from this group is Paul the Apostle. Before his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–22), Paul (then Saul) identified himself as a Pharisee, “a Hebrew of Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5). Trained under Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee (Acts 22:3), Paul’s background profoundly shaped both his knowledge of the Scriptures and his fervent zeal. After coming to faith in Christ, he leveraged his deep understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah (e.g., Romans 9–11).

Archaeological and Manuscript Corroborations

Archaeological research in Israel has unearthed first-century synagogues and mikva’ot (ritual baths) illustrating the Pharisees’ emphasis on communal worship and purification. These discoveries, taken alongside the Gospel manuscripts and Pauline epistles, confirm the historical setting the Pharisees inhabited. The remarkable consistency between these ancient records and the extant biblical texts affirms that the portrayal of the Pharisees in the New Testament aligns with broader historical and archaeological data from that era.

Josephus’s descriptions of the Pharisees in his works (e.g., Antiquities of the Jews and The Wars of the Jews) intersect with New Testament narratives, further testifying to their real presence, influence, and social position among the Jewish people at the time. The manuscript evidence for the Gospels—supported by a vast collection of early papyri and codices—reinforces the trustworthy record of Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees.

Legacy and Lessons

After the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70, Pharisaic tradition evolved into what would become rabbinic Judaism. Their commitment to interpreting and preserving the Law for generations to come remains a significant part of their legacy. In Christian circles, readers encounter the Pharisees primarily as foils in Jesus’ teaching, offering lessons against pride and hypocrisy.

Yet, they also serve as reminders of the importance of diligently studying Scripture. Their initial aim of faithfulness to God’s commandments can teach valuable lessons about devotion and reverence if rightly balanced with humility and true worship. Despite their conflicts with Jesus, many Pharisees diligently awaited the Messiah—something the New Testament shows was ultimately fulfilled in Christ for all who believe (cf. John 1:11–12).

Summary

The Pharisees were a key religious group in first-century Judaism who emphasized strict obedience to the Law, adherence to oral tradition, belief in the resurrection, and the existence of angels and spirits. While many of them often focused on external forms of righteousness—leading to Jesus’ pointed critiques—they remained influential figures who shaped subsequent Jewish religious thought.

The New Testament picture, corroborated by Josephus and supported by archaeological discoveries, depicts the Pharisees as real historical figures with a complex relationship to the early Christian movement. Paul’s transformation from zealous Pharisee to apostle of Christ vividly demonstrates the power of divine revelation to transform even the most ardent traditionalist. Collectively, these aspects of the Pharisees’ history, faith, and legacy offer insights into the broader religious tapestry in which the message of the Bible took root and flourished.