Pharisees, set apart

[Cribstyl]

Pharisees
separatists (Heb. persahin, from parash, "to separate"). They were probably the successors of the Assideans (i.e., the "pious"), a party that originated in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in revolt against his heathenizing policy. The first mention of them is in a description by Josephus of the three sects or schools into which the Jews were divided (B.C. 145). The other two sects were the Essenes and the Sadducees. In the time of our Lord they were the popular party (John 7:48). They were extremely accurate and minute in all matters appertaining to the law of Moses (Matt. 9:14; 23:15; Luke 11:39; 18:12). Paul, when brought before the council of Jerusalem, professed himself a Pharisee (Acts 23:6-8; 26:4, 5). There was much that was sound in their creed, yet their system of religion was a form and nothing more. Theirs was a very lax morality (Matt. 5:20; 15:4, 8; 23:3, 14, 23, 25; John 8:7). On the first notice of them in the New Testament (Matt. 3:7), they are ranked by our Lord with the Sadducees as a "generation of vipers." They were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride (Matt. 9:11; Luke 7:39; 18:11, 12). They were frequently rebuked by our Lord (Matt. 12:39; 16:1-4). From the very beginning of his ministry the Pharisees showed themselves bitter and persistent enemies of our Lord. They could not bear his doctrines, and they sought by every means to destroy his influence among the people.
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

 

[sunlover1]

Pharisees
separatists (Heb. persahin, from parash, "to separate"). They were probably the successors of the Assideans (i.e., the "pious"), a party that originated in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in revolt against his heathenizing policy. The first mention of them is in a description by Josephus of the three sects or schools into which the Jews were divided (B.C. 145). The other two sects were the Essenes and the Sadducees. In the time of our Lord they were the popular party (John 7:48). They were extremely accurate and minute in all matters appertaining to the law of Moses (Matt. 9:14; 23:15; Luke 11:39; 18:12). Paul, when brought before the council of Jerusalem, professed himself a Pharisee (Acts 23:6-8; 26:4, 5). There was much that was sound in their creed, yet their system of religion was a form and nothing more. Theirs was a very lax morality (Matt. 5:20; 15:4, 8; 23:3, 14, 23, 25; John 8:7). On the first notice of them in the New Testament (Matt. 3:7), they are ranked by our Lord with the Sadducees as a "generation of vipers." They were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride (Matt. 9:11; Luke 7:39; 18:11, 12). They were frequently rebuked by our Lord (Matt. 12:39; 16:1-4). From the very beginning of his ministry the Pharisees showed themselves bitter and persistent enemies of our Lord. They could not bear his doctrines, and they sought by every means to destroy his influence among the people.
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

Hey Crib!
Excellent idea for a study!


The Pharisees were enemies of the Lord why??

Was it because they didn't want to be brought down to mere man's level?

sunlover

 

[freespiritchurch]

A fair amount is known about the Pharisees that we didn't understand 100 years ago (when Easton's Bible Dictionary was written). Oddly enough, the Wikipedia article is a good start.

There are three major facts that need to be brought out:

1) Jesus himself can be see as a Pharisee. Rabbis often debated with each other, and a lot of the arguments in the Gospels show Jesus as a teacher, but aren't necessarily casting the Pharisees as evil.

2) One of the reasons that the Pharisees imposed such strict rules was that they belived in the priesthood of all believers. The strict rules for ritual cleanliness only applied to the priests; the Pharisees wanted all the Jewish people to think of themselves as priests of God.

3) The Pharisees' complex rules ensured that a believer could not take any action without being reminded of his (her) obedience to God. This was a good thing, especially when you consider the incredible pressure put on the Jews to forsake God for idols.

The Pharisees weren't mindless legalists; they were pursuing some good goals. It is dangerous to rely on old views of the Pharisees, especially since many of those views are tied up with stereotypes about Jews in general. The way Easton talks about the Pharisees is very similar to the way Christians of his time talked about Jews (and some still do).

Alan

 

[Cribstyl]

Hey Crib!
Excellent idea for a study!


The Pharisees were enemies of the Lord why??

The short answer for you my dear, dear friend.

The Messiah had come and the Pharisee were blind guides of God's people. By their opposition to Him they became His enemy.
-----------------------------------------------------
The Pharisee were the strictest sect of the Jewish religion.Act 26:5

Zealous of the law Act 15:5; Phl 3:5

Zealous of tradition Mar 7:3,5-8; Gal 1:14

Outwardly moral Luk 18:11; Phl 3:5,6

Rigid in fasting Luk 5:33; 18:12

Active in proselytising Mat 23:15

Self-righteous Luk 16:15; 18:9

Avaricious Mat 23:14; Luk 16:14

Ambitious of precedence Mat 23:6

Fond of public salutations Mat 23:7

Fond of distinguished titles Mat 23:7-10

Particular in paying all dues Mat 23:23

Oppressive Mat 23:4

Cruel in persecuting Act 9:1,2

Was it because they didn't want to be brought down to mere man's level?

Well as the most educated among Jews who were all enslaved by the Roman led government. The Pharisees in subjection to the Hight Priest, would accuse and enforce the punishment of breaking their customs and Laws. They officated the death of Stephen and other believers in Jesus Christ.

peace
CRIB

 

[sunlover1]

Awesome.
But the Pharisees were adding yokes werent' they?
Adding to the Law, their own laws.
Manmade rules.

Isn't this why Paul had to constantly pound home the idea of grace?

sunlover

 

[Cribstyl]

Awesome.
But the Pharisees were adding yokes werent' they?
Adding to the Law, their own laws.
Manmade rules.

Isn't this why Paul had to constantly pound home the idea of grace?

sunlover

I have no scriptures to say that Pharisees added their own Laws or rules to the Law. It seem that they were overzealous in the tiniest matter of the Law and lacked love and mercy. I've seen some commentary on certain text but I believe that Jesus express exactly who the were and what they did.

Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to say and write what he wrote. He shed light on who they were because he was the extremest Pharisee of all. I dont believe Jesus would have it any other way.

CRIB

 

[plmarquette]

guilty of the same thing as Lucifer ... see Isaiah 14.12-14
lust of the eyes , flesh, and pride of life

 

[Cribstyl]

guilty of the same thing as Lucifer ... see Isaiah 14.12-14
lust of the eyes , flesh, and pride of life

Sheeze, I fight those sins everyday, and I'm sad-you-see.

 

[StevenMerten]

Hello Cribstyl,

The Pharisees "separated" and exalted themselves apart from other people in the world as a chosen few to go to heaven. When Jesus exposed them to the world, as not a chosen few "separated" out as those to inherit the Kingdom of God, they began to look for a way to kill Jesus.

NAB MAT 22 The Wedding Banquet

Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen." Then the Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech.
NAB REV 19:6

For the wedding day of the Lamb has come, his bride has made herself ready. She was allowed to wear a bright, clean linen garment." (The linen represents the righteous deeds of the holy ones.)
​

NAB JOH 7:48

"You do not see any of the Sanhedrin believing in him, do you? Or the Pharisees? Only this lot, that knows nothing about the law--and they are lost anyway!"​

NAB MAT 5:20

I tell you, unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter the kingdom of God."​

NAB MAT 23:12

Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You shut the doors of the kingdom of God in men's faces, neither entering yourselves nor admitting those who are trying to enter. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You travel over sea and land to make a convert, but once he is converted you make a devil of him twice as wicked as yourselves.​

NAB MAT 21:43

Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. ( The one who falls on this stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.)"

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.
​

 

[sunlover1]

Sheeze, I fight those sins everyday, and I'm sad-you-see.

That one caught me by surprise lol.


Happy Late Birthday Steve!!!

 

[Cribstyl]

Hello Cribstyl,

The Pharisees "separated" and exalted themselves apart from other people in the world as a chosen few to go to heaven. When Jesus exposed them to the world, as not a chosen few "separated" out as those to inherit the Kingdom of God, they began to look for a way to kill Jesus.

NAB MAT 22 The Wedding Banquet

Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen." Then the Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech. ​

NAB REV 19:6​

For the wedding day of the Lamb has come, his bride has made herself ready. She was allowed to wear a bright, clean linen garment." (The linen represents the righteous deeds of the holy ones.)​

​

Thank you Steve.

With all due respects

In the parable in
Matt. 22 The Pharisees and High Priests are of the children of Israel, they all are the invited guests for whom the feast was made.

The children of Israel are those who heard and rejected the preaching of salvation and went back to their farms and business as usual.
The Pharisees and priests are those who laid hold of his servants (the Apostles), they beat and killed them.....
Those who are "bad and good" are those that were afterwards invited. They are all the Gentiles who will accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ (invitation).
The man not dressed in the wedding garments is any man that did not put on faith in Jesus Christ as his garment. He was silenced when judged because the wages of Sin is death.


About Rev 19:6? Hmmm you've got the wrong text, Ok, you mean Rev 19:8

If you read Rev 19:1-9 again, notice that verse 1-3 is a time of Judgement. So Rev 19:8 is a marriage supper garment that follows judgement. It's for those who to whom rewards and treasures can be recieved in the New Jerusalem. So this is pretty much an awards banquet rather than another judgement needing "the robe of righteousness of Christ" that cover all our human works and efforts.



Isa 61:10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.


Bottom line is the garment of our salvation is the robe of righteousness is that Christ clothes us in. The bride after the judgement will be allowed to be adorn with her acts faithfullness and acts of righteousness, as a garment.


Here what Paul teaches without the imagery in the book of Revelation.
Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].


God Bless.
CRIB

 

[StevenMerten]

The children of Israel are those who heard and rejected the preaching of salvation and went back to their farms and business as usual. The Pharisees and priests are those who laid hold of his servants (the Apostles), they beat and killed them..... Those who are bad and good that was afterwards invited are all the Gentiles who accepted the invitation....The man not dressed in the wedding garments is any man that does not put on faith in Jesus Christ as his garment. He was silenced and judged because the wages of Sin is death.

Hello Cribstyl,

The group "Pharisees", "those set apart", did exist before the arrival of John the Baptist and Jesus. The term "Kingdom of God" is a term not found in the Old Testament. The term "Kingdom of God" is a term brought about by John the Baptist and Jesus. The verbal pushing and shoving, where the Pharisees verbally self-separate, self-exalt and force themselves into the "Kingdom of God" and then Jesus verbally casts them out of the "Kingdom of God" and into hell, seems to stem more from the Pharisees' missuse of John the Baptist's baptism.

I believe that those cast out of The Wedding Banquet in Mathew 22 are those invited into the "Kingdom of God" through baptism but not "chosen" because they were unfaithful to Christ, "evildoers".

The Pharisees used both the Jewish law and John the Baptist's baptism to self-separate, self-exalt and force themselves as in possession of eternal life above others. It seems it is more the Pharisees inappropriate self-exaltation and verbally forcing their way into the "Kingdom of God", through John's baptism, that directly leads to the conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus. A conflict which leads to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NAB MAT 3:8 (John the Baptist speaks)

They were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. When he saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were stepping forward for this bath, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence that you mean to reform. Do not pride yourselves on the claim, 'Abraham is our father.' I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these very stones."​

NAB LUK 16:16 The Law.

"The law and the prophets were in force until John. From his time on, the good news of God's kingdom has been proclaimed, and people of every sort are forcing their way in. It is easier for the heavens and the earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a letter of the law to pass. ​

NAB MAT 11:11

"I solemnly assure you, history has not known a man born of woman greater than John the Baptizer. Yet the least born into the Kingdom of God is greater than he. From John the Baptizer's time until now the kingdom of God has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force." ​

NAB MAT 21:37​

"Finally he sent his son to them, thinking, "They will respect my son.' When they saw the son, the tenants said to one another, 'Here is the one who will inherit everything. Let us kill him and then we shall have his inheritance!" With that they seized him, dragged him outside the vineyard, and killed him."​

​

NAB JOH 5 Discourse on His Sabbath Work.

18: The reason why the Jews were even more determined to kill him was that he not only was breaking the sabbath but, worse still, was speaking of God as his own Father, thereby making himself God's equal... ​

27: The Father has given over to him power to pass judgement because he is Son of Man; no need for you to be surprised at this, for an hour is coming in which all those in their tombs shall hear his voice and come forth. Those who have done right shall rise to live; the evildoers shall rise to be damned...​

31: "If I witness on my own behalf, you cannot verify my testimony; but there is another who is testifing on my behalf, and the testimony he renders me I know can be verified. You have sent to John, who has testified to the truth... 35: He was the lamp, set aflame and burning bright, and for a while you exulted willingly in his light...​

39: Search the Scriptures in which you think you have eternal life-- they also testify on my behalf. Yet you are unwilling to come to me to possess that life. ​

"It is not that I accept human praise-- it is simply that I know you, and you do not have the love of God in your hearts. ​

NIV 1JO 5:3​

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.​

​

 

[StevenMerten]

Happy Late Birthday Steve!!!

Hello sunlover,

Thank you for the warm birthday wishes!

 

[Cribstyl]

The Pharisees - In contrast to the Sadducees, the Pharisees were not upper class. Most were middle-class businessmen, and therefore were in contact with the common man. The Pharisees were hold in a much higher opinion by the common man than the Sadducees. Though they were a minority in the Sanhedrin, and held a minority number of positions as priests, they seemed to control the decision making of the Sanhedrin far more than the Sadducees did, again because they had the support of the people.

Religiously, they accepted the written Word as inspired by God. At the time of Christ's earthly ministry, this would have been what is now our Old Testament. But, they also gave equal authority to oral tradition, and attempted to defend this position by saying it went all the way back to Moses. This was nothing less than legalism. These traditions had evolved over centuries. These traditions added to God's Word, which is forbidden (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19), and the Pharisees sought to strictly obey these traditions equally along with the Old Testament. The Gospels abound with examples of the Pharisees treating these traditions as equal to God's Word (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-23; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; Matthew 23:5; Matthew 9:14; Matthew 23:16). However, they did remain true to God's Word with reference to certain other important doctrines. In contrast to the Sadducees, they held the following:

1. They believed that God controlled all things, and yet decisions made by individuals also contributed to the course of a person' s life.

2. They believed in the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6ff).

3. They believed in an afterlife, with appropriate reward and punishment on an individual basis.

4. They believed in the existence of angels and demons (Acts 23:8).

Though the Pharisees were rivals with the Sadducees, they managed to set aside their differences on one occasion--the trial of Christ. It was at this point in time that the Sadducees and Pharisees united to put Christ to death (John 11:48-50; Mark 14:53ff; Mark 15:1ff).

While the Sadducees ceased to exist after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple because they were largely political in nature, the Pharisees, who were much more concerned with the religious state of Israel, continued in existence well beyond the destruction of Jerusalem. In fact, the Pharisees were against the rebellion that brought on Jerusalem's destruction in A.D. 70, and were the first to make peace with the Romans afterward. The Pharisees were also responsible for the compilation of the Mishnah, an important document with reference to the continuation of Judaism beyond the destruction of the central place of worship, the Temple.

Both the Pharisees and the Sadducees earned numerous rebukes from Jesus. Perhaps the best lesson we can learn from the Pharisees and Sadducees is to not be like them. Unlike the Sadducees, we are to believe everything the Bible says, including the miraculous and the afterlife. Unlike the Pharisees, we are not to treat traditions as having equal authority as Scripture, and we are not to allow our relationship with God to be reduced to a legalistic list of rules and rituals.

http://www.gotquestions.org/Sadducees-Pharisees.html

 

[Cribstyl]

Awesome.
But the Pharisees were adding yokes werent' they?
Adding to the Law, their own laws.
Manmade rules.


sunlover

After an extensive study I agree with your quote about the Pharisees, that they added yokes on other Jews and I've also read where they've added to the law. (you was right and I was...wrr,,,I was wrrrrr,,,well let just say I made a booboo


People, Jesus is not looking back at them as much as He's looking at us today. I believe that we add and take away from God's law and conduct ourselve like pharisees and Saducees among others. Some of us socalled strong Christians are only strong to provide answers that they want others to follow, but do we love our neighbors? Who do we tell that Jesus Christ is Lord? What do we do when we see the poor in our society?

CRIB

 

[sunlover1]

After an extensive study I agree with your quote about the Pharisees, that they added yokes on other Jews and I've also read where they've added to the law. (you was right and I was...wrr,,,I was wrrrrr,,,well let just say I made a booboo

No problem, boo boo is fine.
But next time can you boldface the part where you say that I was right?
JK

People, Jesus is not looking back at them as much as He's looking at us today. I believe that we add and take away from God's law and conduct ourselve like pharisees and Saducees among others. Some of us socalled strong Christians are only strong to provide answers that they want others to follow, but do we love our neighbors? Who do we tell that Jesus Christ is Lord? What do we do when we see the poor in our society?

CRIB

Amen, we can learn so much from the pharisees can't we.

Here's something I noticed:

Matthew 5:20
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Now, if you look at that in context from
v 19 and then a bit further we can see how Jesus fulfilled the law and then kicked it up a notch. We are no longer under the law but under grace, but under grace we will even exceed the pharisees in righteousness. Naturally our own righteousness is as rags, but:


Matthew 5:19-28
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:...

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

No commentary, just sharing what I saw, that I though was pretty liberating.
You may be blessed by it too, or not.
GREAT seeing you around

 

[StevenMerten]

Now, if you look at that in context from
v 19 and then a bit further we can see how Jesus fulfilled the law and then kicked it up a notch. We are no longer under the law but under grace, but under grace we will even exceed the pharisees in righteousness. Naturally our own righteousness is as rags, but:

Hello sunlover,

In Christ's teaching, the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus uses the term "eucharisteo" to describe how the Pharisee saw his righteousness as a free gift from God. "Eucharisteo" is defined below. The Pharisees, who Jesus had His conflict with, seem to be the Pharisees, baptized by John, who were forcing their way into the "Kingdom of God" (Luke 16:16). The Pharisees believed that it was their righteousness they recieved from God, through grace, which separated them out from other people, like the tax collector, as God's exalted chosen few to go to heaven. Jesus tells us that the Pharisee was not justified.

NAB LUK 18:9 The Pharisee and the tax collector.

He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I eucharisteo that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." ​

Eucharisteo

with the dative it always stands where there is implied a kindness done, a favor, a charis, a grace for an undeserved gift received where it appears as thanks for any good experience.
​

Charis

from chairio, to rejoice, or chara, joy, favor, acceptance, a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude, grace. A favor done without expectation of return; absolute freeness of loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and freeheartedness of the Giver; unearned an unmerited favor.

Lexicon to the Old and New Testaments, by Spiros Zodhiates, TH.D AMG publishers.
​

 

[sunlover1]

Thanks Steven,
So the Pharisees that Jesus was speaking
of in the passage I quoted were the ones who kept the letter of the law?
And Jesus was saying that unless your righteousness is better than their 'perfect' (as far as the law is concerned) righteousness, you'll not enter?

 

[StevenMerten]

Thanks Steven,
So the Pharisees that Jesus was speaking
of in the passage I quoted were the ones who kept the letter of the law?
And Jesus was saying that unless your righteousness is better than their 'perfect' (as far as the law is concerned) righteousness, you'll not enter?

Hello sunlover,

The Pharisees were not "'perfect' (as far as the law is concerned) righteousness".

Jesus tells us, and the Pharisees to their face, and the masses of people who the Pharisees had been lording themselves over and seperating themselves from, just how evil and wicked the Pharisees are. The Pharisees "seperated" themselves out and exalted themselves to the world as righteous and God's chosen few to go to heaven. Inside they were evil and wicked men who did not obey God or respect the teachings of Moses or the prophets.

Jesus says of them that they preached glory to the prophets but had then been alive in the time of the prophets they would have killed and crucified the prophets.

The Pharisees did not obey the law of God. The Pharisees used deception to portray that they obeyed the will of God, when in reality they did not, in order to separate themselves out on earth as righteous and grant themsleves unmerited world self-exaltation as God's chosen few to go to heaven. The Pharisees were far more evil than the common man of Jesus day. The Pharisees manipulated the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is probubly not needed to say but, yes, one must be more holy than the Pharisees to enter into life through Jesus.



NAB MAT 5:20

I tell you, unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter the kingdom of God."​

NAB MAT 23:23

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. (But) these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets' blood.' Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out! You serpents, you brood of vipers, how can you flee from the judgment of Gehenna? Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that there may come upon you all the righteous blood shed upon earth, from the righteous blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Amen, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.​

NAB MAT 23:12

Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You shut the doors of the kingdom of God in men's faces, neither entering yourselves nor admitting those who are trying to enter. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! You travel over sea and land to make a convert, but once he is converted you make a devil of him twice as wicked as yourselves.​

NAB MAT 21:43

Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. ( The one who falls on this stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.)"​

 

[sunlover1]

Ohhh.
I think I get it now Steven.

They did keep the law, right down to
the letter, but that was only outwardly
right?

Hmm, this is interesting.
Thank you.