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Group · 5 Sundays

The Pharisees

പരീശന്മാർ

Probably “the separated ones”

In the readings on 5 Sundays so far.

Icon of the Pharisee standing proudly and the publican bowing in the Temple, early 17th century
Venediktos Emporios, 1600–1628

At a glance

In Malayalam
പരീശന്മാർ
What the name means
Probably “the separated ones”
In the readings
5 Sundays, 14 March 2027 to 17 October 2027
Gospel passages
John 9:1–41 · John 12:12–19 · Matthew 16:5–12 · Luke 16:9–18 · Matthew 23:1–12

Name meanings and role notes are drafted with each edition and waiting for review by a priest or editor.

Who the Pharisees were

A Jewish movement devoted to keeping the Law of Moses and the traditions of the elders in everyday life. They often debated with Jesus, and he warned against their hypocrisy, yet Nicodemus, Gamaliel and the apostle Paul were Pharisees.

Origins
A party within Judaism known from the second century BC onwards HistoryJosephus, Antiquities 13.5.9
Afterwards
After the Temple fell in AD 70, their teaching shaped the rabbinic Judaism that followed History

  1. They keep the tradition of the elders, such as washing hands before eating.

    ScriptureMark 7:1–5

  2. Unlike the Sadducees, they believe in the resurrection and in angels.

    ScriptureActs 23:8

  3. They object when Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners.

    ScriptureLuke 15:1–2

  4. They challenge his disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath.

    ScriptureMark 2:23–24

  5. Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

    ScriptureLuke 18:9–14

  6. Some Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill him.

    ScriptureLuke 13:31

  7. Jesus pronounces woes on the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites.

    ScriptureMatthew 23

  8. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, comes to Jesus by night.

    ScriptureJohn 3:1–2

  9. Gamaliel, a Pharisee, counsels the council to leave the apostles alone.

    ScriptureActs 5:34–39

  10. Paul says he was “as touching the law, a Pharisee.”

    ScripturePhilippians 3:5

Read it in the Bible

  • Luke 18:9–14 The Pharisee and the tax collector
  • John 3:1–21 Nicodemus
  • Matthew 23:1–12 Practise what they say

Sources: The Holy Bible (World English Bible); Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews.

Drafted from the Bible and Church tradition. Each line says where it comes from; anything marked Tradition or History is not in Scripture itself. Waiting for review by a priest or editor.

Sundays with The Pharisees

  1. Fifth Sunday after Holy Cross

    Gospel: Matthew 23:1–12

    As one of “The scribes and Pharisees”: Teachers of the law with real authority, criticised for not living it.

    In the story

  2. Fourth Sunday after Holy Cross

    Gospel: Luke 16:9–18

    Luke says they loved money and scoffed at Jesus’ teaching.

    In the story

  3. Second Sunday after Holy Cross

    Gospel: Matthew 16:5–12

    A movement devoted to strict keeping of the law and its traditions.

    In the story

  4. Hosanna Sunday

    Gospel: John 12:12–19

    They watch the welcome and feel they have lost control.

    In the story

  5. Sixth Sunday of Great Lent

    Gospel: John 9:1–41

    Religious leaders who question him and argue among themselves.

    In the story

Also in these readings

About the icon

The Pharisee and the Publican. Venediktos Emporios, 1600–1628. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Everyone in the readings