Pharisees in the Bible

Meaning: set apart

Exact Match

Jesus left there and went into their [i.e., the Pharisees'] synagogues,

Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, The scribes and Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Likewise the chief priests also mocking, with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said,

And it happened that he was reclining at table in his house; and many publicans and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many, and scribes of the Pharisees were also following him.

The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him [in the Jewish high court].

Then He said to the Pharisees, "Is it permissible by the law of Moses to do something good, or something harmful on the Sabbath day? To save a life or to kill it?" But they did not reply.

And they asked him, saying, How is it that the Pharisees and scribes say that Elijah must come first?

When he was come to the other disciples, he found a great crowd about them, and the Pharisees disputing with them.

the Scribes and Pharisees upon hearing this consulted together how to destroy him; but they stood in awe of him, because all the people were strangely affected with his doctrine.

As Jesus was teaching in the Temple, He responded [to some Pharisees. See Matt. 22:41] by asking, "How is it that the experts in the law of Moses can say that the Christ is the son of David?

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

But the experts in the law of Moses and the Pharisees became furious and began discussing among themselves what they could do to Jesus.

And lo! a woman who was in the city, a sinner, learning that he was at table in the Pharisees house, brought an alabasterbottle of ointment,

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

Afterwards some of the Pharisees, who deny there is any resurrection, accosted him with this question,

Then certain of the Pharisees answered and said, "Master, thou hast well said."

And Jesus said to them [i.e., the Pharisees. See Matt. 22:41], "How is it that they [i.e., the experts in the law of Moses. See Mark 12:35] can say that the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one] is the son of David?

Then the officers returned to the chief priest and Pharisees,

Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

But these Jews [i.e., Pharisees] did not believe that the man had been blind and had received his sight back until they called his parents

The Pharisees said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he restore your sight?"

The man replied, "Is not that strange! You do not know where he came from and yet he restored my sight! [Note: The next sentence may be the beggar stating the Pharisees' argument. See verse 24].

Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

Thematic Bible



Now the Pharisees who loved money listened to all this and they jeered at him.


So they sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are honest, and that you are teaching the way of God in sincerity; and are not afraid of any one, for you do not court men's favor.


Meanwhile when myriads of the multitudes were thronging around him so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples, first of all. "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisee, which is hypocrisy.

"When you fast, do not look downcast like the hypocrites; for they disfigure their faces so that it may be apparent to men that they are fasting. In solemn truth I tell you, they already have received their reward. "But when one of you fasts, let him anoint his head and wash his face, "so that he may not appear to men to be fasting, but to his Father who is in secret; and his Father who sees in secret will reward him.

"Listen to another parable: "A man who was a householder planted a vineyard, fenced it about, dug a wine vat in it, built a tower, then rented it to vine-dressers and went abroad. When the time of fruit drew near, he sent his slaves to the vine-dressers to get his fruit. And the vine-dressers seized his slaves, flogged one, killed another, and stoned a third. read more.
Again he sent other slaves, a larger number than at first, and they treated them in the same way. And last he sent his son to them; 'Surely they will respect my son,' he said. But when the vine-dressers saw his son, they said to themselves: "'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance.' "So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?" "He will utterly destroy those wretches," they answered, "and will entrust his vineyard to other vine-dressers, who will pay back the fruits to him in their season." "Have you never read in the Scriptures," Jesus answered, "how The stone that the builders rejected Has been made the corner-stone; This is the Lord's doing, It is wonderful in our eyes? "I tell you that for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation that does produce the fruit of it. "He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but he upon whom it falls will be scattered as dust." As they listened to his parables, the chief priests and the Pharisees recognized that he was speaking about them; but although they longed to apprehend him, they were afraid of the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

"And whatever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets, in order that men may praise them. In solemn truth I tell you they already have their reward in full. "But when you give alms, do not let your right hand know what your left is doing, "so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. read more.
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the corners of the avenues, in order that men may see them. In solemn truth I tell you that they have their reward in full. "But you, when you pray, go into your own room and shut your door; pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "While praying do not say the same words over and over again, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that by their much speaking they will gain attention. "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Then some Scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do your disciples keep transgressing the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating?" "And why do you also keep transgressing the command of God by your tradition?" he asked. read more.
"For God said, Honor your father and mother, and, Let him who reviles father or mother be put to death; but you say that whoever tells his father or mother, 'Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is dedicated to God,' is in no way bound to honor his father. Thus do you make void the word of God by your tradition! Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, saying. This is a people that honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. In vain do they worship me, While they teach doctrines that are the commands of men."

Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him, and in order to test him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. In answer he said: "In the evening you say, 'It will be fine weather, for the sky is red as fire'; and at dawn you say, 'It will storm today, for the sky is red and lowering.' You know how to discern the look of the sky, but the signs of the times you cannot read. read more.
A wicked and faithless generation is seeking a sign, but no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah." So he left them and went away. When his disciples reached the other side of the lake, they had forgotten to bring bread. Presently Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, "It is because we did not bring any bread." When Jesus knew it he said: "Weaklings in faith! Why are you arguing among yourselves, because you have no bread? "Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many large basketfuls you took up? "Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many large basketfuls you took up? "How is it that you do not perceive that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware off the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" Then they realized that he had not told them to beware of the leaven, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

"The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat; "therefore do and observe whatever they bid you; but do not do as they do, for they preach, but do not practise. "For they bind heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger to move them. read more.
"For they do all their good deeds to be gazed on of men. They widen their phylacteries, "and lengthen the tassels, and are fond of the best places at banquets, and the front seats in the synagogues. "They enjoy salutations in the market-places, and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi'; for one is your Teacher, and you are all brothers; "and call no one 'Father' on earth, for One is your Father in heaven. "And call no one 'Leader,' because One is your leader, even the Christ. "Whoever is great among you shall be your minister; "whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted. "But woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces; for you do not enter, yourselves, nor do you permit those who are about to come in, to enter. OMITTED TEXT. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you scour sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is gained, you make him twofold more a son of hell than you are, yourselves. "Woe unto you, blind guides, who say, If any one swears by the Sanctuary, it is nothing, but if any one swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, the oath is binding. "You fools and blind; for which is greater, the gold, or the Sanctuary which hallows the gold? "You say, too, that whoever swears by the offering that is upon it, his oath is binding. "You blind! Which is greater, the offering or the altar which hallows the offering? "He then, who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; "and he who swears by the Sanctuary swears by it and by Him who dwells therein; "and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits thereon. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and anise and cummin, and neglect the weightier matters of the Law??ustice and mercy and good faith; these latter you ought to have done, and not to have left the former undone. "You blind guides! who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but within they are filled with extortion and excess. "You blind Pharisees, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside of it may be clean also. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like white-washed sepulchers. They look beautiful without, but within they are filled with dead men's bones and all rottenness. "Just so you also outwardly appear to men, just, but within you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You rebuild the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, "'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been their comrades in the murder of the prophets.' "So you bear witness against yourselves, that you are the descendants of those who slew the prophets! "Fill up then the measure of your fathers! "You serpents! You vipers brood! How shall you escape the judgment of hell?

Once he was casting out a dumb demon, and when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spoke, and the people wondered. But some of them said, "It is by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that he cast out demons." Others, tempting him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. read more.
He knew their intentions and said to them. "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste and house falls upon house. "And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? "Do you say that I am casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub? If I then am casting out demons by Beelzebub, by whom are your sons casting them out? They therefore shall be your judges. "But if it is by the finger of God that I am casting out demons, then the kingdom of God is come upon you. "When the strong man fully aroused keeps guard over his homestead, his property is undisturbed; "but when the stronger man attacks him, he takes away from the strong armor in which he was trusting and divides up the spoil. "He who is not for me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering. "Whenever a foul spirit is gone out of a man, it roams through waterless places, in search of rest; but when it can find none, it says, 'I will go back to the house which I have left.' When it comes and finds the house completely swept and garnished. "Then it goes off and fetches seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first." It happened while he was saying this, that a certain woman out of the crowd shouted to him, saying, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breast that you have sucked." "No, rather," he answered, "blessed are those who listen to the word of God, and keep it." When the crowd were beginning to throng about him he proceeded to say. "This is an evil generation! It seeks a sign, and there shall be no sign be given to it except the sign of Jonah; "for as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so shall the Son of man be to this generation. "The queen of the South shall rise up in Judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them; because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and lo, one greater than Solomon is here! "The men of the Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with his generation and shall condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and lo! one greater than Jonah is here! "When one lights a lamp he does not put it in a cellar nor under the bushel, but on a lamp-stand that those who enter may see the light. "The lamp of the body is your eye; when your eye is single then your whole body is full of light; but when it is evil your whole body is full of darkness. "Look carefully! Perhaps that very light of yours is darkness. "If, however, your whole body is full of light, without having any part dark, it will be wholly radiant with light, as when the lamp illumines you with its bright rays." When he had finished speaking a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; so he went in with him and reclined. And the Pharisee noticed, to his amazement, that he did not wash his hands before eating, but the Lord said to him. "You Pharisee do cleanse the outside of your cup or plate, but your secret heart is full of extortion and wickedness. "Foolish men! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? "Better cleanse what is within, and nothing will be unclean for you. "But woe unto you Pharisee! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and disregard justice and the love of God; but these you ought to have done, and not leave the other undone. "Woe unto you Pharisee! for you delight in the best seats in the synagogue, and in the salutation in the market-places. "Woe unto you! for you are like the tombs which are hidden, and men walk over them unsuspecting." Hereupon one of the lawyers exclaimed, "But teacher, in saying such things you are also reproaching us also." "Woe unto you lawyers also!" said Jesus, "for you load men with irksome burdens, and you yourselves will not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. "Woe to you! for you are building the tombs of the prophets whom you ancestors killed. "So you are witnesses, and you consent to the actions of your ancestors. for they killed them, and you build their tombs. "For this reason also said the Wisdom of God. 'I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and some they will persecute; "so that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required from this generation, "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the alter and the sanctuary; yes; I tell you, it shall be required of this generation! "Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge!' You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who are trying to enter." After he had gone away, the Scribes and the Pharisee began to set themselves vehemently against him, and to cross-question him upon many points, laying in wait for him, in order to catch a word from his lips.

Now all the tax-gatherers and sinners continued to draw near him, and to listen to him. And the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain, saying, "He is welcoming sinners and eating with them!" And he told them a parable. read more.
"Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? "And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. "When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or, again, suppose a woman has ten coins. If she loses one, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search anxiously until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her woman friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.'


Then some of the Scribes and Pharisees accosted him. "Teacher," they said, "we want to see some sign from you." In reply Jesus told them. "An evil and faithless generation seeks a sign, and no sign will be given them except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Then his disciples came to him and said, "Do you know that the Pharisees were scandalized when they heard that saying?" He replied.

"Has any one of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?


"I am a Jew," he said, "born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strict manner of the Law of our forefathers, ardent for God, even as you all are this day.

Now there was one of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler among the Jews.

But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, but were now believers, stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise Gentile, and to order them to keep the Law of Moses."


Then some Scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do your disciples keep transgressing the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating?" "And why do you also keep transgressing the command of God by your tradition?" he asked.

One day the Pharisees came to him in a body with some Scribes who had come from Jerusalem. They had noticed that some of his disciples were eating with "common," that is to say, unwashed hands. For the Pharisees and all of the Jews do not eat until they have ceremoniously washed their hands in obedience to the tradition of the elders; read more.
and when they come from the market-place they do not eat without bathing first. and they have many other customs which they have received and observe, such as the washing of cups and jugs and copper pans. So the Pharisees and Scribes asked him. "Why do your disciples not follow the traditions of the elders? Why do they eat with 'common' unwashed hands?" "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, hypocrites," he answered. "As it is written, 'This people honor me with their lips, While their hearts are far from me; But in vain do they worship me, For their teaching is only human precepts.'" "You neglect the commandment of God, and hold fast the traditions of men." "It is praiseworthy, is it," he exclaimed, "to reject the command of God that you may keep your tradition! For although Moses said, Honor your father and mother, and Let him who curses father or mother suffer death, you say that if a man tells his father or mother, 'This money which otherwise you would have received from me, is Korban' (that is, a thing devoted to God), you exempt him from doing any service for his father or mother. Thus by your tradition which you have handed down you set at naught the word of God; and you do many other things like that." Then again he called the crowd to him and said: "Listen to me, all of you, and understand; there is nothing outside a man which by entering in can defile him; but it is what comes from him that defiled him."


It happened on the Sabbath Day when he went into the house of a certain ruler among Pharisees to take a meal, that they were watching him.

One of the Pharisees kept urging him to dine, so he entered the house and reclined at table.

When he had finished speaking a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; so he went in with him and reclined.


At that time the disciples of John came and asked him, "Why are we and the Pharisees always fasting, while your disciples are not?"

"'I fast twice a week, I pay tithes of all my possessions.'


Presently some of the Pharisees came up to him, and made test of him by asking, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for every cause?"

Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might ensnare him during conversation. So they sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are honest, and that you are teaching the way of God in sincerity; and are not afraid of any one, for you do not court men's favor. "Give us your advice, then. Is it allowable to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" read more.
And Jesus, because he knew their malice, said: "Hypocrites! Why are you tempting me? Show me the tribute money." So they brought him a shilling. "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" he asked. "Caesar's," they answered. Then he said to them, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." When they heard this they were astonished, and left him and went away.


Then perceiving that half the Sanhedrin were Sadducees and the other half Pharisee, he cried out in the Sanhedrin. "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is for the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial!"

"They know me of old, if they are willing to testify, how that according to the strict sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.


When the Pharisees saw it, they kept saying to his disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and sinners?" "It is not those who are well," said Jesus, when he heard this, "but the sick, who need a doctor. "But go and learn what this means, "It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice; for I am come not to call just men, but sinners."


"For God said, Honor your father and mother, and, Let him who reviles father or mother be put to death; but you say that whoever tells his father or mother, 'Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is dedicated to God,' is in no way bound to honor his father. Thus do you make void the word of God by your tradition! read more.
Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, saying. This is a people that honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. In vain do they worship me, While they teach doctrines that are the commands of men."


But the Pharisees, when they perceived it, said to him. "Look! Your disciples are doing what it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!" "Have you not read," answered Jesus, "what David did when he was hungry, and his men, too? "How he went into the House of God, and there they ate the loaves of the Presence, which neither he nor his men were permitted to eat, but the priests only? read more.
"Have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath and are guiltless? "But I tell you that One is here who is greater than the temple. "And if you knew what this means, "It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice, "you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath."


But when John saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming for baptism, he said: "O brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Then bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'?? tell you that out of these very stones God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham. read more.
And already the axe is lying at the roots of the trees. Any tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.


Then perceiving that half the Sanhedrin were Sadducees and the other half Pharisee, he cried out in the Sanhedrin. "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is for the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial!"

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit; the Pharisees affirm them all.


but the Pharisees and lawyers who had refused his baptism, frustrated God's purpose for themselves.


In vain do they worship me, While they teach doctrines that are the commands of men."


But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, but were now believers, stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise Gentile, and to order them to keep the Law of Moses."


but although they longed to apprehend him, they were afraid of the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

The man stretched it out, and it had become sound like the other. But when the Pharisees came out, they consulted together how they might destroy him.

So the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

So from that day they plotted to kill him.

Now the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if any one knew where he was. he should give information, so that they might arrest him.


Presently some of the Pharisees came up to him, and made test of him by asking, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for every cause?"

and one of them, a lawyer, tested him by asking a question.

Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might ensnare him during conversation. So they sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are honest, and that you are teaching the way of God in sincerity; and are not afraid of any one, for you do not court men's favor.


Now the Pharisees who loved money listened to all this and they jeered at him.

As they listened to his parables, the chief priests and the Pharisees recognized that he was speaking about them;

Then his disciples came to him and said, "Do you know that the Pharisees were scandalized when they heard that saying?" He replied.


For the Pharisees and all of the Jews do not eat until they have ceremoniously washed their hands in obedience to the tradition of the elders;

and how in my zeal for Judaism I outstripped many of my own age and nation, in my special zeal for the traditions of my forefathers.

So the Pharisees and Scribes asked him. "Why do your disciples not follow the traditions of the elders? Why do they eat with 'common' unwashed hands?" "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, hypocrites," he answered. "As it is written, 'This people honor me with their lips, While their hearts are far from me; But in vain do they worship me, For their teaching is only human precepts.'" read more.
"You neglect the commandment of God, and hold fast the traditions of men."


When he noticed this the Pharisee, who had invited him, said to himself, "If this man were really a prophet he would have perceived who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, and would know that she is a sinner."

When the Pharisees saw it, they kept saying to his disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and sinners?"

Now all the tax-gatherers and sinners continued to draw near him, and to listen to him. And the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain, saying, "He is welcoming sinners and eating with them!"


Presently Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees."

"How is it that you do not perceive that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware off the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" Then they realized that he had not told them to beware of the leaven, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.


but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and held in honor by all the people, rose from his seat, and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while.

Then a great clamor arose; some of the scribes who belonged to the Pharisaic party stood up, and contended. "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?"

Now there was one of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler among the Jews.


"The Pharisee stood apart and thus began to pray by himself. "'O God, I thank thee that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax gatherer;

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which comes through law, blameless.


"You blind guides! who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

"You fools and blind; for which is greater, the gold, or the Sanctuary which hallows the gold?


Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him, and in order to test him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

Then some of the Scribes and Pharisees accosted him. "Teacher," they said, "we want to see some sign from you."


But the Pharisees kept saying, "It is in the power of the Prince of the demons that he is casting out demons."

When the Pharisees heard it they said, "It is only by the aid of Beelzebub, the Prince of the demons, that this fellow is driving out demons."


circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from the Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, but were now believers, stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise Gentile, and to order them to keep the Law of Moses."


Now the Pharisees who loved money listened to all this and they jeered at him.

OMITTED TEXT.


Again they said unto him. "Why do the disciples of John fast frequently, and make supplications, as also do the disciples of the Pharisees, but your disciples are eating and drinking?"

"'I fast twice a week, I pay tithes of all my possessions.'


Moreover he spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves because they were righteous, and looked down upon the rest.

He said to them. "You are those that justify themselves in the eyes of men; but God knows you hearts; for that which is lofty in the eyes of men is abomination in the eyes of God.


One of the Pharisees kept urging him to dine, so he entered the house and reclined at table.

When he had finished speaking a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; so he went in with him and reclined.


The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the high priest and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.

and they asked them, "Why have you not brought him?"


Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent some priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

Now it was some of the Pharisees who had been sent to him;


"I am a Jew," he said, "born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strict manner of the Law of our forefathers, ardent for God, even as you all are this day.

Again they said unto him. "Why do the disciples of John fast frequently, and make supplications, as also do the disciples of the Pharisees, but your disciples are eating and drinking?"


"But woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces; for you do not enter, yourselves, nor do you permit those who are about to come in, to enter. OMITTED TEXT. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you scour sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is gained, you make him twofold more a son of hell than you are, yourselves. read more.
"Woe unto you, blind guides, who say, If any one swears by the Sanctuary, it is nothing, but if any one swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, the oath is binding. "You fools and blind; for which is greater, the gold, or the Sanctuary which hallows the gold? "You say, too, that whoever swears by the offering that is upon it, his oath is binding. "You blind! Which is greater, the offering or the altar which hallows the offering? "He then, who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; "and he who swears by the Sanctuary swears by it and by Him who dwells therein; "and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits thereon. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and anise and cummin, and neglect the weightier matters of the Law??ustice and mercy and good faith; these latter you ought to have done, and not to have left the former undone. "You blind guides! who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but within they are filled with extortion and excess. "You blind Pharisees, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside of it may be clean also. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like white-washed sepulchers. They look beautiful without, but within they are filled with dead men's bones and all rottenness. "Just so you also outwardly appear to men, just, but within you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You rebuild the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, "'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been their comrades in the murder of the prophets.' "So you bear witness against yourselves, that you are the descendants of those who slew the prophets! "Fill up then the measure of your fathers! "You serpents! You vipers brood! How shall you escape the judgment of hell?


"They enjoy salutations in the market-places, and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi'; for one is your Teacher, and you are all brothers; "and call no one 'Father' on earth, for One is your Father in heaven. read more.
"And call no one 'Leader,' because One is your leader, even the Christ.


"Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and anise and cummin, and neglect the weightier matters of the Law??ustice and mercy and good faith; these latter you ought to have done, and not to have left the former undone.


"Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you scour sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is gained, you make him twofold more a son of hell than you are, yourselves.


In reply Jesus told them. "An evil and faithless generation seeks a sign, and no sign will be given them except the sign of the prophet Jonah.


"You serpents! You vipers brood! How shall you escape the judgment of hell?


"Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like white-washed sepulchers. They look beautiful without, but within they are filled with dead men's bones and all rottenness.


"They enjoy salutations in the market-places, and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'


"and lengthen the tassels, and are fond of the best places at banquets, and the front seats in the synagogues.


"For they bind heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger to move them.


"For I assure you that unless your righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not find entrance into the kingdom of heaven.


"For they do all their good deeds to be gazed on of men. They widen their phylacteries,


But when John saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming for baptism, he said: "O brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?


Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats of murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and begged of him letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any that were of the Way, either men or women, he could bind them and bring them to Jerusalem.


Accordingly when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard it said, "Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John," (though Jesus himself was not accustomed to baptize, but his disciples), he left Judea and returned to Galilee.


"Woe unto you! for you are like the tombs which are hidden, and men walk over them unsuspecting."


"They know me of old, if they are willing to testify, how that according to the strict sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.


"Has any one of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?


but the Pharisees and lawyers who had refused his baptism, frustrated God's purpose for themselves.


For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit; the Pharisees affirm them all.


Then perceiving that half the Sanhedrin were Sadducees and the other half Pharisee, he cried out in the Sanhedrin. "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is for the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial!"


Now the Scribes and Pharisees kept watching to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might be able to bring on accusations to him.


Now the Pharisees who loved money listened to all this and they jeered at him.


"Two men are going up to the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, the other a tax-gatherer.

Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him, and in order to test him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

Presently some of the Pharisees came up to him, and made test of him by asking, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for every cause?"

but the Pharisees and lawyers who had refused his baptism, frustrated God's purpose for themselves.

Then perceiving that half the Sanhedrin were Sadducees and the other half Pharisee, he cried out in the Sanhedrin. "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is for the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial!"

but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and held in honor by all the people, rose from his seat, and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while.

But when John saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming for baptism, he said: "O brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

"The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat;

Then some Scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,


"When one lights a lamp he does not put it in a cellar nor under the bushel, but on a lamp-stand that those who enter may see the light. "The lamp of the body is your eye; when your eye is single then your whole body is full of light; but when it is evil your whole body is full of darkness. "Look carefully! Perhaps that very light of yours is darkness. read more.
"If, however, your whole body is full of light, without having any part dark, it will be wholly radiant with light, as when the lamp illumines you with its bright rays." When he had finished speaking a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; so he went in with him and reclined. And the Pharisee noticed, to his amazement, that he did not wash his hands before eating, but the Lord said to him. "You Pharisee do cleanse the outside of your cup or plate, but your secret heart is full of extortion and wickedness. "Foolish men! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? "Better cleanse what is within, and nothing will be unclean for you. "But woe unto you Pharisee! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and disregard justice and the love of God; but these you ought to have done, and not leave the other undone. "Woe unto you Pharisee! for you delight in the best seats in the synagogue, and in the salutation in the market-places. "Woe unto you! for you are like the tombs which are hidden, and men walk over them unsuspecting." Hereupon one of the lawyers exclaimed, "But teacher, in saying such things you are also reproaching us also." "Woe unto you lawyers also!" said Jesus, "for you load men with irksome burdens, and you yourselves will not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. "Woe to you! for you are building the tombs of the prophets whom you ancestors killed. "So you are witnesses, and you consent to the actions of your ancestors. for they killed them, and you build their tombs. "For this reason also said the Wisdom of God. 'I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and some they will persecute; "so that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required from this generation, "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the alter and the sanctuary; yes; I tell you, it shall be required of this generation! "Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge!' You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who are trying to enter." After he had gone away, the Scribes and the Pharisee began to set themselves vehemently against him, and to cross-question him upon many points, laying in wait for him, in order to catch a word from his lips.

"We are descendants of Abraham," they replied, "and have never been in slavery to any man. What do you mean by saying, 'You shall become free'?" "In solemn truth I tell you," Jesus replied, "every one who commits sin is a slave "Now the slave does not remain permanently in the household, but the son does remain. read more.
"So then, if the Son shall set you free, you will be free indeed. "I know you are Abraham's descendants; but you are seeking to kill me, Because my teaching has no place in you. "I am declaring what I have seen with the Father, and you are acting as you have learned from your father." "Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you are indeed Abraham's children," said Jesus "do the deeds of Abraham. "But now you are seeking to kill me?? man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do that. "You are doing the deeds of your father." "We were not born of adultery," they said; "we have one Father, God." Jesus said to them. "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded forth and am now come from God. I did not come on my own authority, but God himself sent me. "How is it that you do not understand what I say? It is because you cannot listen to my message. "You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a man-slayer from the very beginning; and he has no standing place in the truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he utters a lie, he speaks from his nature, for he is a liar and the father of lying. "But as for me, it is because I speak the truth to you that you do not believe me. "Which one of you convicts me of sin? Why then, if I am speaking the truth, do you not believe me? "He who is from God listens to God's words. For this reason you do not listen, because you are not from God." In reply the Jews said to him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan, and you also have a demon?" "I do not have a demon," said Jesus, "but I am honoring my Father, and you are dishonoring me. "Yet I am not seeking my own honor. There is One who is seeking it, and He is judge. "In solemn truth I tell you that if any one obeys my teaching he shall never behold death." "Now we know that you have a demon," exclaimed the Jews. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; and yet you say, 'If any man obeys my teaching he shall never taste death.' "You are not greater than our father Abraham, are you? And he died, and the prophets died. Who are you making yourself out to be?" "If I glorify myself." said Jesus, "my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifies me, and you say, 'He is our God.' "You are not acquainted with him; I know him. Were I to say, 'I do not know him,' I should be like you, a liar. But I do know him, and I obey his teaching. "Your father Abraham rejoiced that he should see my day; and he saw it and was glad." "You are not yet fifty years old," said the Jews to him, "and you have seen Abraham?" "In solemn truth I tell you," answered Jesus, "that before Abraham came into existence, I am." Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the Temple.

Then they stormed at him. "You are his disciple. We are Moses' disciples. "We know that God spoke to Moses. But this fellow! We do not know where he comes from." "This is truly astonishing," said the man in reply, "that you do not know where he is from, and yet he has opened my eyes. read more.
"We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if any one is God-fearing and does his will, to such he listens. "Since the beginning of the world such a thing as opening the eyes of one who was born blind was never heard of. "If this man had not come of God he could have done nothing." They answered, "You were wholly born in sins, and do you teach us?" Then they cast him out.


References

Hastings

Easton

American

Fausets

Morish

Smith

Watsons