Were the Pharisees Really Legalistic?
Quick Summary
The Pharisees are often portrayed as legalistic and rigid, but was that really the case? This article explores whether the Pharisees were truly obsessed with rules or if that reputation is a misreading of the biblical and historical context. By examining both Scripture and scholarship, we get a more accurate picture of their intentions, their role in society, and how Jesus interacted with them.
Introduction
To call someone a "Pharisee" today is usually an insult. It implies hypocrisy, legalism, or a cold obsession with rules. But this stereotype flattens a far more complex reality. The Pharisees were a deeply influential Jewish sect in Second Temple Judaism, and their passion for God's law was not born out of pettiness, but devotion. The question is not whether they followed the law, but how—and why.
So, were the Pharisees really legalistic? Or have we misunderstood their faith, their culture, and their intentions? And what does Jesus’ critique in the Gospels really mean?
Who Were the Pharisees?
The Pharisees were a lay movement that emphasized Torah observance not just for priests, but for all Jews. They emerged around the 2nd century BCE and believed in oral traditions passed down alongside the written Torah. Unlike the Sadducees, they believed in the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:8), angels, and the afterlife.
They were also incredibly popular among the common people, in part because their theology made holiness accessible beyond the Temple and priesthood. They taught that one could honor God through daily practices—how you ate, gave, prayed, and lived.
Legalism vs. Devotion
The modern label of "legalism" often misses the heart behind the Pharisees’ actions. Following God's law was not merely about rule-keeping—it was an act of covenant faithfulness. In a world of Roman occupation and cultural erosion, the Pharisees saw the law as a lifeline to their identity as God’s people.
Consider this: if your entire identity was shaped around belonging to God through obedience, wouldn’t you be careful to get it right? That care can look like legalism from the outside, but to the Pharisees, it was love for Torah.
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Complex Relationship
Jesus had many sharp words for the Pharisees. But not all his interactions with them were hostile. Nicodemus was a Pharisee who sought Jesus out (John 3:1-21), and Joseph of Arimathea—also sympathetic to Jesus—was likely a Pharisee (Luke 23:50-51).
When Jesus pronounced woes on the Pharisees in Matthew 23, he wasn’t condemning all Pharisees, but critiquing the hypocrisy of certain leaders. His issue wasn’t with devotion to the law, but with using it to elevate themselves and burden others (Matthew 23:4-7).
Jesus affirmed the importance of justice, mercy, and faith—qualities the Pharisees sometimes neglected in their desire for precision (Matthew 23:23). His teachings weren’t anti-Pharisee, but a call to deeper authenticity.
The Oral Tradition and Fencing the Law
One reason Pharisees are seen as legalistic is their use of "fences"—extra rules added to ensure the actual commandments weren’t broken. For example, to avoid working on the Sabbath, they outlined what counted as "work."
While this might feel excessive to us, the intent was to create guardrails, not to control people. It’s similar to how modern people set up internet filters or accountability apps—not because they don’t trust themselves, but because they value what’s at stake.
The Mishnah, compiled around 200 CE, gives us insight into Pharisaic thinking. It shows a desire to take God seriously, often through dialogue and debate, not blind adherence.
Were They Hypocrites?
Jesus called out hypocrisy among some Pharisees, but that doesn’t mean all Pharisees were hypocrites. Like any religious group, they were diverse. Some were sincere. Others missed the mark.
The danger lies in making them into caricatures. When we reduce them to villains, we lose the opportunity to reflect on how easily any religious community—including our own—can prioritize appearance over transformation.
Pharisaic Influence After Jesus
Interestingly, after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, it was Pharisaic Judaism that laid the groundwork for what became Rabbinic Judaism. Their focus on synagogue, Scripture, and tradition helped Judaism survive.
Their legacy is not one of mere legalism, but of faith adapted to a world without the Temple. That same flexibility is what Jesus admired when he said, "Every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old" (Matthew 13:52).
Were the Pharisees Really Legalistic? Meaning for Today
The Pharisees were passionate about God’s law, and that zeal sometimes led them into dangerous territory—adding burdens, missing mercy. But that doesn’t make them villains. Their story is a mirror. It asks us whether our religious practices serve people or stifle them. Whether we lead with grace or guard rails.
Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He called his followers to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees—not with more rules, but with deeper love. If we listen closely, we might hear his critique not as rejection, but invitation.
FAQ
Were all Pharisees opposed to Jesus?
No. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were Pharisees who showed openness to Jesus (John 3:1-21; Luke 23:50-51).
Is legalism the same as loving God’s law?
No. Legalism focuses on rules to earn favor; love of God’s law is about covenant relationship. The Pharisees leaned toward the latter, though Jesus challenged when it tipped too far.
What’s the difference between Pharisees and Sadducees?
The Pharisees believed in resurrection, oral tradition, and were popular among common people. The Sadducees denied resurrection and were mostly priestly elites. See Pharisees vs. Sadducees.
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Works Consulted
Sanders, E.P. Judaism: Practice and Belief, 63 BCE – 66 CE. Philadelphia: Trinity Press, 1992.
Neusner, Jacob. The Rabbinic Traditions about the Pharisees before 70. Brill, 1971.
