Page 23 - Quintessential Gospel of Jesus Christ 1

Chapter 2

Pharisaism

The term “Pharisee” is derived from the Aramaic parash “to separate,” “to set
aside,” “to select.” Pharisees were the selected ones. They were a group which
drew themselves apart from other people. They were the devoted nationalists,
the Jewish leaders who wanted to restore the political Israel. The party of the
Pharisees came into existence after the exile, no mention of the Pharisees in the
Old Testament.
Phar•i•see n. a member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict
observance of the customs and written law, and commonly held to have
pretensions to superior sanctity.
These religious men did not care whether the people understood. The more they
kept them in the darkness, the more they were able to exploit them.

The Pharisees are mentioned only in the New Testament. In the Gospels they
are represented as the chief opponents of Jesus,

You Pharisees have not been steadfast, nor done the commandments of the
Lord. You have turned away and have spoken proud and hard words with your
impure mouths against His Word. Oh you hard-hearted you shall find no peace.
Woe to them that pervert the words of uprightness and transgress the eternal
Law
Jerusalem

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murderess of the prophets, messengers, servants and
stoner of those who were sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children
just as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and yet you would not listen!
Your kingdom will be left dispersed and the city desolate.
Because of this the wisdom of God said, I am sending to you apostles, prophets
and wise men and scribes. Some you will scourge in your synagogues and
pursue them from city to city. Some you will persecute kill and crucify. So that all
the blood of the righteous shed on the ground may come upon you from the
blood of Abel the righteous down to the blood of John the Baptist son of
Zachariah whom you set up to be killed. I say to you all of these issues will be
avenged on this evil and adulteress nation.
Jesus said to his disciples, he who will welcome one of these little ones, in my
name, welcomes me. Whoever shall mislead or causes ones who believe in me
to stumble. It would be better for him that an ass’ millstone was hanged on his
neck and he was sunk in the depths of the sea.