What Did Jesus Say about the Pharisees?
Quick Summary
What did Jesus say about the Pharisees? Jesus frequently challenged the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, legalism, and performative righteousness. Yet not all Pharisees were condemned: figures like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea showed openness and faith. Jesus' words were sharpest when religious leaders used their authority to burden others, distort God's law, or resist God's grace.
Introduction: Jesus and the Pharisees
Jesus’ relationship with the Pharisees was complex. On the one hand, he was often at odds with their interpretations of the law, their traditions, and their public displays of piety. On the other, some Pharisees sought him out with sincerity. Understanding what Jesus said about the Pharisees requires reading both his strong rebukes and his more nuanced interactions.
The Gospels record multiple confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees. These exchanges weren’t merely theological sparring matches; they were deeply rooted in how one understood God, holiness, and the purpose of the law.
Key Rebukes of the Pharisees
Hypocrisy and Outward Appearance
Jesus repeatedly criticized the Pharisees for presenting an appearance of righteousness while harboring corruption within:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth" (Matthew 23:27).
This metaphor cuts deeply. Jesus condemned their tendency to focus on outward behaviors (public fasting, loud prayers, tithing mint and dill) while ignoring weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23).
Burdening Others with Legalism
One of Jesus’ sharpest critiques was how the Pharisees added burdens to people's lives under the guise of religious observance:
"They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them" (Matthew 23:4).
Jesus opposed a vision of religion that turned God’s law into a checklist or a tool for control. The Sabbath, for instance, was meant for rest and delight, not for surveillance and guilt.
Resistance to God's Prophets and Mission
In a sweeping lament, Jesus accused the Pharisees of aligning with those who had rejected God's messengers in every generation:
"You build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous... Thus you testify against yourselves, that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets" (Matthew 23:29-31).
He frames their rejection of him—and of John the Baptist before him—as part of a tragic, ongoing pattern.
Not All Pharisees Were Alike
While Jesus’ rebukes were real and forceful, the Gospels also introduce Pharisees who acted with integrity, curiosity, or courage.
Nicodemus
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, visited Jesus by night to learn from him (John 3:1-21). Though initially cautious, Nicodemus defended Jesus against unjust judgment (John 7:50-51) and later helped prepare Jesus’ body for burial (John 19:39).
Joseph of Arimathea
Joseph of Arimathea, also a member of the council, is described as a disciple of Jesus who opposed the condemnation and asked Pilate for Jesus’ body after the crucifixion (Luke 23:50-52; John 19:38).
These two men challenge simplistic portrayals of Pharisees as universally opposed to Jesus. His criticism was of a system, not necessarily every individual within it.
The Woes of Matthew 23
The most concentrated critique comes in Matthew 23, where Jesus pronounces a series of woes against the scribes and Pharisees. These include:
Shutting the kingdom of heaven in people's faces (23:13)
Converting people only to make them twice as much children of hell (23:15)
Swearing by the gold of the temple rather than the temple itself (23:16-22)
Neglecting justice, mercy, and faith while obsessing over minor rituals (23:23-24)
Being full of greed and self-indulgence (23:25-26)
Each woe escalates the warning and underscores Jesus’ frustration with religious leadership that loses sight of God’s heart.
A Broader Call to Integrity
Jesus' critique of the Pharisees was not just a denunciation of a specific group, but a call for religious integrity. He invited people to follow God in sincerity, to let go of performance, and to stop weaponizing the law.
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Jesus offered a different kind of righteousness—one rooted in the heart, not just in rule-keeping. And while he was not shy about calling out corruption, he also saw and honored those, even among the Pharisees, who responded in faith.
FAQs
Did Jesus hate the Pharisees?
No. Jesus sharply rebuked them, but his critique was rooted in grief, not hatred. His goal was repentance, not destruction (Matthew 23:37).
Why were the Pharisees so often in conflict with Jesus?
They often clashed over Sabbath laws, purity codes, table fellowship, and Jesus’ authority to forgive sins and heal. At heart, they disagreed on how best to honor God.
Are Pharisees still around today?
No. The Pharisaic movement ceased after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, though rabbinic Judaism carries some of their legacy.
Were all Pharisees opposed to Jesus?
No. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea show that some Pharisees were open to Jesus’ message or followed him quietly.
Why did Jesus use such harsh language in Matthew 23?
He was speaking as a prophet. The tone reflects Old Testament prophetic tradition, where calling out injustice was part of proclaiming God's truth.
