The Pharisees, a prominent Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, are frequently depicted in the New Testament as opponents of Jesus Christ and His teachings. Their interactions with Jesus often involved reviling and reproaching, as they sought to challenge His authority and undermine His influence among the people.

Reviling Defined

Reviling refers to the act of speaking abusively or contemptuously to or about someone. In the context of the Pharisees, it often involved verbal attacks against Jesus, questioning His authority, and attempting to discredit His ministry. The Pharisees' reviling was rooted in their adherence to tradition and their perception of Jesus as a threat to their religious and social standing.

Reproaching Defined

Reproaching involves expressing disapproval or disappointment, often in a public or confrontational manner. The Pharisees frequently reproached Jesus for His actions and teachings, which they perceived as violations of the Mosaic Law and their own interpretations of religious practice.

Biblical Instances

1. Accusations of Blasphemy: The Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy on several occasions. In Matthew 9:3 , they said, "This man is blaspheming!" when Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic, demonstrating their inability to recognize His divine authority.

2. Criticism of Association with Sinners: The Pharisees reproached Jesus for associating with tax collectors and sinners. In Matthew 9:11 , they asked His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" This criticism highlighted their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost.

3. Sabbath Controversies: The Pharisees often challenged Jesus regarding His actions on the Sabbath. In Matthew 12:2 , they said, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath," when Jesus' disciples picked grain. Jesus responded by emphasizing the spirit of the law over rigid legalism.

4. Demand for Signs: The Pharisees, along with the Sadducees, demanded a sign from Jesus to prove His authority. In Matthew 16:1 , they tested Him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith and understanding.

5. Denunciation of Hypocrisy: Jesus frequently denounced the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. In Matthew 23:27 , He declared, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity." This rebuke underscored their focus on outward appearances rather than genuine righteousness.

Theological Implications

The Pharisees' reviling and reproaching of Jesus serve as a cautionary example of the dangers of legalism and self-righteousness. Their inability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and their resistance to His message of grace and truth highlight the spiritual blindness that can result from an overemphasis on tradition and human interpretation of the law. The New Testament narrative encourages believers to seek a heart of humility and openness to God's revelation through Christ, rather than clinging to rigid religious structures.Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... cases with him, is prohibited: for thus the words reproaching, reviling, railing,
cursing ... John the Baptist calleth the Scribes and Pharisees a "generation of ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

Psalm LXIX.
... Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees:" [2925] long ... Why have "the reproaches of men
reproaching Thee fallen ... one hath reviled Christ without reviling God: because ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxix.htm

John xx. 10, 11
... And He named her name only, [2541] reproaching and blaming her that she ... but if he
be tired out by their reviling him and ... "The Scribes and the Pharisees sit on ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxvi john xx 10.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... So the Pharisees taught ... you for his sake; when they persecute you by reviling you,
and ... who are continually cursing and reproaching you when you are present, and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 23 upon our lords.htm

What is a reviler in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus say “Father, forgive them” on the cross? | GotQuestions.org

Reviling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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