Pharisees

The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in ancient Judaism, known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions that accompanied it. The term "Pharisee" itself is derived from the Hebrew word "perushim," meaning "separated ones." This reflects their desire to maintain a distinct identity and purity in their religious practices, often separating themselves from what they considered the impure practices of others, including the Sadducees, who were more aristocratic and less focused on oral traditions (Matthew 23:2-3).In the New Testament, the Pharisees often appear as adversaries to Jesus, primarily due to their legalistic interpretations of the law and their emphasis on ritual purity. They are frequently criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and for placing burdensome rules on the people without practicing true righteousness themselves (Matthew 23:27-28). Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees highlight the tension between the spirit of the law and its letter, emphasizing the need for inner transformation rather than mere external compliance (Mark 7:6-8). Ultimately, the Pharisees represent not only a historical group but also a cautionary example of how religious devotion can sometimes become distorted into legalism, missing the deeper intentions of faith and mercy.

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