Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” – Matthew 23:1-3
Bible Verses About Pharisees
Hypocrisy of the Pharisees
As we explore the topic of the Pharisees, we begin by reflecting on their tendency toward hypocrisy. The Pharisees were known for upholding the law and holding others accountable while failing to practice those same principles in their own lives. It serves as a reminder for us to evaluate our own faith and ensure that our actions align with our beliefs. We must be cautious not to become like the Pharisees, preaching one thing and living another. Being genuine in our faith is incredibly important, as it allows us to be true representatives of Christ. Our focus should be on loving others as He has loved us, rather than putting on a facade that resembles the behavior of the Pharisees.
Matthew 15:7-9
“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.'” – Matthew 15:7-9
Luke 12:1
“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.'” – Luke 12:1
Matthew 23:27-28
“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. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” – Matthew 23:27-28
Mark 7:6-7
“He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”‘” – Mark 7:6-7
John 7:24
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” – John 7:24
The Legalism of the Pharisees
Legalism was another significant characteristic of the Pharisees. They focused heavily on rules and regulations, often putting them above love and mercy. In their rigorous adherence to the law, they created an environment where grace was overshadowed. We must take heed from the Pharisees’ approach to faith, recognizing that while following God’s commands is important, it should not come at the expense of compassion and understanding. We are called to love and extend grace to others, as Christ demonstrated in His ministry. This balance between adherence to God’s Word and the embrace of grace is vital for our walk with God. Instead of becoming prisoners of legalism, we should find freedom in Christ.
Matthew 23:4
“They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” – Matthew 23:4
Luke 11:46
“Jesus replied, ‘And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.'” – Luke 11:46
Mark 2:27
“Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'” – Mark 2:27
Matthew 9:13
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Matthew 9:13
Luke 18:9-14
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” But the tax collector stood at a distance