Who Were the Pharisees?

Short Answer: The Pharisees were a Jewish religious movement of teachers and scholars who emphasized strict observance of God's law, oral tradition, and personal holiness. Active from around 150 BC to AD 70, they played a central role in Jewish society and left a lasting legacy through the development of Rabbinic Judaism.

The Pharisees were an influential Jewish religious group that lived in ancient Judea from around 150 BC until AD 70. They are best known today for their frequent appearances in the New Testament, where they often engage in debates with Jesus over religious law and tradition. However, their influence extended far beyond these biblical accounts.

The name Pharisees comes from the Hebrew פְּרוּשִׁים (Pərūšīm), meaning "the separated ones." Rather than separating themselves physically from society, the name reflected their dedication to living according to God's commandments and maintaining ritual purity in everyday life.

Unlike the wealthy priestly class associated with the Temple in Jerusalem, many Pharisees were teachers, scribes, and respected members of local communities. They believed that both the Written Torah and the Oral Torah (traditions passed down through generations) were essential for understanding and following Jewish law. Their teachings emphasized that all Jews, not only priests, could pursue holiness through faithful observance of God's commandments.

In the Gospels, the Pharisees are often portrayed as critics of Jesus, with disagreements centered on the interpretation of the Law, religious authority, and the importance of inner faith over outward ritual. While these accounts highlight moments of conflict, they do not represent every Pharisee, and figures such as Nicodemus are shown in a more favorable light.

Following the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70, the priestly system declined, but many of the Pharisees' teachings endured. Their focus on the study of the Torah, synagogue worship, and oral tradition laid the foundations for Rabbinic Judaism, making them one of the most influential religious movements in Jewish history.

Today, the Pharisees are remembered not only as figures in the Bible but also as scholars and teachers whose ideas helped shape Jewish belief and practice for centuries.

by The Museum of Time

2 July 2026