30 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud
The Pharisees were a strict Jewish party in the time of Jesus. Paul, once one of them, called them "the most straitest sect of our religion" (Acts 26:5). They believed in the resurrection and angels (Acts 23:8) and kept "the tradition of the elders" (Mark 7:3). Jesus rebuked their hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27), yet Nicodemus came to Him (John 3:1).
A strict party of Jewish teachers; Paul himself was one.
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 26:5
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 23:6
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection nor angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 23:8
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Philippians 3:5
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 5:34
Jesus warned against putting human rules above God's commands.
For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Mark 7:3
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.” Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men. ”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Mark 7:5-8
1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.” Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 15:1-9
2Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 23:2-3
Hypocrisy, heavy burdens and righteousness that is only on the outside.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 5:20
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 23:23
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 23:27
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 23:28
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 23:4
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 23:5
Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 16:6
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 12:1
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 3:7
Jesus welcomed sinners and warned against trusting in our own goodness.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men — swindlers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 18:11
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 18:12
13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 18:13-14
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 16:14
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 16:15
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him — for she is a sinner!”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 7:39
11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. ”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 9:11-13
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 15:2
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 12:14
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 22:15
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about John 3:1
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 15:5
Easy to memorize, to write in a card, or to send to a friend.
“I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”
Luke 18:12 KJV · 14 words
Listen“And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.”
Luke 16:14 KJV · 15 words
Listen“And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”
Luke 15:2 KJV · 15 words
Listen“Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.”
Matthew 22:15 KJV · 15 words
Listen“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:”
John 3:1 KJV · 14 words
ListenExact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.
“It was right, therefore, that the hypocrisy of the Pharisees displeased Him. They loved God with their lips, but not with their heart.”
The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.
pharisaios Greek · Strong’s G5330
Pharisee; a separatist, one set apart in religion
Hear it & see its versesA strict Jewish party in Jesus' day who studied the law closely and kept "the tradition of the elders" (Mark 7:3). Paul called them the strictest sect (Acts 26:5). Some were leaders on the Jewish council, like Gamaliel (Acts 5:34). The Greek name (G5330) is usually explained as "separated ones."
They believed in the resurrection of the dead, angels and spirits. The Sadducees denied all three, "but the Pharisees confess both" (Acts 23:8). They also fasted, tithed with care (Luke 18:12), and held to traditions handed down by the elders (Mark 7:3).
Listen: Acts 23:8 · Luke 18:12
Jesus rebuked them for hypocrisy: looking righteous on the outside while their hearts were far from God (Matthew 23:27-28), and for setting human traditions above God's commands (Mark 7:8). He told His disciples to beware of their leaven, which is hypocrisy (Luke 12:1).
Listen: Matthew 23:28 · Mark 7:5-8
Yes. Paul said he was "a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee" (Acts 23:6) and, as touching the law, a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5). He was trained under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), and then Jesus called him to be an apostle.
Listen: Acts 23:6 · Philippians 3:5
Every verse, read aloud
