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The Pharisees, a prominent Jewish religious sect during the first century C.E., are often remembered for their strict adherence to tradition and the Law and their complex interactions with Jesus Christ as documented in the Christian Greek Scriptures. Their origins, though not precisely dated, are rooted in the period of John Hyrcanus I in the second century B.C.E., suggesting a long-standing influence by the time of Christ. Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, notes their significant sway over the public, even capable of challenging kings and high priests: “And so great is their influence with the masses that even when they speak against a king or high priest, they immediately gain credence” (Jewish Antiquities, XIII, 288 [x, 5]).

Beliefs and Practices

The Pharisees held distinct beliefs about the soul and the afterlife, which differentiated them from other groups like the Sadducees. Josephus records their belief in the immortality of the soul and the notion of divine retribution: “They believe that souls have power to survive death and that there are rewards and punishments under the earth for those who have led lives of virtue or vice: eternal imprisonment is the lot of evil souls, while the good souls receive an easy passage to a new life” (Jewish Antiquities, XVIII, 14 [i, 3]). Additionally, their view on fate and divine providence shows a blend of determinism and free will: “[They] attribute everything to Fate and to God; they hold that to act rightly or otherwise rests, indeed, for the most part with men, but that in each action Fate co-operates” (The Jewish War, II, 162-163 [viii, 14]).

In practice, the Pharisees were meticulous in their observance of the Law, evident from their strict tithing and fasting regimes and their opposition to the Sadducees’ denial of resurrection (Mt 9:14; Mr 2:18; Lu 5:33; Ac 23:8). Their righteousness, however, often bordered on self-righteousness, leading them to disdain those they deemed less observant or sinful (Lu 18:11; John 7:47-49).

Conflicts with Jesus Christ

The Pharisees’ interactions with Jesus Christ were marked by frequent confrontations, particularly over issues of Sabbath observance, adherence to tradition, and association with sinners. These confrontations are detailed extensively in the Gospels. For example, they criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, which they viewed as a violation of the Law (Mt 12:9-14; Mr 3:1-6; Lu 6:7-11). Furthermore, they were antagonistic towards His disregard for ritual purity, particularly His fraternizing with tax collectors and sinners (Mt 9:11; Mr 2:16; Lu 5:30).

Their legalistic approach led them to challenge Jesus on matters of tradition, such as the washing of hands, which Jesus rebutted by emphasizing the spirit rather than the letter of the Law (Mt 15:1-11; Mr 7:1-5; Lu 11:37-44). Their challenges were not limited to legal issues but extended to personal attacks and plots against His life, culminating in their involvement in His arrest and crucifixion (John 18:3-5, 12, 13; Mt 27:62-64).

Pharisees Who Showed Openness

Despite the generally antagonistic stance, some Pharisees showed a more conciliatory approach towards Christianity. Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, advised caution and tolerance towards the followers of Jesus (Ac 5:34-39). Furthermore, Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul the Apostle, was originally a Pharisee whose conversion marked one of the most significant events in Christian history (Ac 26:5; Php 3:5).

The Pharisees, as documented by both Josephus and the New Testament, were influential, devout, and complex. Their interactions with Jesus Christ highlight a pivotal religious and cultural conflict during a transformative period in Judeo-Christian history.

The Pharisees: Their Influence and Interaction with Christ

The Historical and Archaeological Evidence

The Pharisees and Sadducees, two prominent religious sects within first-century Judaism, are distinctively documented not only in the Christian Greek Scriptures but also extensively by Josephus and later Jewish rabbinic writings. Josephus‘s accounts provide crucial historical insights that align significantly with biblical descriptions, emphasizing the theological and philosophical divisions between these groups.

Josephus’s Account

Josephus, a vital source for understanding first-century Judea, elaborates on the roles and beliefs of the Pharisees and Sadducees, portraying the Pharisees as meticulous interpreters of the Law and the leading religious sect. He notes, “The Pharisees … are considered the most accurate interpreters of the laws and hold the position of the leading sect.… Every soul, they maintain, is imperishable, but the soul of the good alone passes into another body, while the souls of the wicked suffer eternal punishment” (Jewish War 2.162–166). This belief in the afterlife and the immortality of the soul starkly contrasts with the Sadducees’ views, who “remove God beyond, not merely the commission, but the very sight, of evil.… As for the persistence of the soul after death, penalties in the underworld, and rewards, they will have none of them.”

Josephus, First Century Jewish Historian

Additionally, Josephus contrasts the societal influence of these groups, observing that while the Pharisees were revered among the general population, the Sadducees found their support primarily among the wealthy (Jewish Antiquities 13.298). This distinction hints at the broader societal and political dynamics at play, influencing the religious landscape of Judea.

Rabbinic Literature

Beyond Josephus, the Pharisees and Sadducees are documented in later Jewish texts such as the Mishnah and the Talmud, compiled around 200 C.E. and between 400 to 700 C.E., respectively. These texts provide further depth to our understanding of the doctrinal and practical differences between the sects, often highlighting debates and legal interpretations where Pharisaic views eventually dominated Jewish thought.

The continuity of Pharisaic traditions through Rabbinic Judaism and the detailed discussions within the Talmud and Mishnah lend additional credibility to the historical existence and influence of these groups. These writings not only corroborate the descriptions found in earlier historical sources like those of Josephus but also align with the narrative and theological disputes depicted in the New Testament.

Jewish Scholars 2nd century CE producing the The Mishnah

Corroboration with New Testament Descriptions

The New Testament offers numerous instances where the beliefs and practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees are mentioned, particularly in the context of their interactions with Jesus. Like Josephus, the New Testament outlines the Pharisees’ belief in the resurrection, a doctrinal point that the Sadducees vehemently deny. This alignment between Josephus‘s accounts and the New Testament narratives provides a multidimensional view of these sects, reinforcing their historical and religious significance.

These sources together paint a comprehensive picture of the religious landscape in Judea during the first century C.E., marked by philosophical divergences and social stratification (arrangement or classification of something into different groups) that shaped the interactions and conflicts within Jewish society and early Christian communities. The evidence from Josephus, coupled with rabbinic literature and New Testament accounts, confirms the enduring impact and historical authenticity of the Pharisees and Sadducees as pivotal figures in Jewish and Christian histories.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is the CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored more than 220 books and is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).