Five Traits of the Pharisees Jesus Found Appalling

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Five Traits of the Pharisees Jesus Found Appalling

A biblical reflection on five traits of the Pharisees Jesus condemned

—hypocrisy, pride, legalism, blindness, and religion without transformation.

1) Hypocrisy — Outward Piety, Inward Corruption

Jesus repeatedly called the Pharisees hypocrites - people who appeared righteous on the outside while remaining corrupt within. He compared them to vessels scrubbed on the exterior but filled inwardly with greed and self-indulgence (Matthew 23).

“You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”

Core idea: Their religious observance did not reflect a transformed heart.

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2) Obsessing Over Rules While Ignoring Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their fixation on minor religious details - such as precise tithing, while neglecting the weightier matters of God’s law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23).

“You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”

Core idea: They elevated human rule-keeping above God’s moral demands.

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3) Burdening Others Without Helping

The Pharisees imposed heavy religious burdens on others — endless rules and expectations. Without lifting a finger to help those crushed beneath them (Matthew 23:4).

This stands in stark contrast to Jesus’ own invitation:

“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)

Core idea: They made life spiritually heavier instead of leading people into freedom.

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4) Seeking Honor and Public Recognition

Jesus exposed the performative nature of Pharisaic religion. Their devotion was designed to be seen — enlarged phylacteries, long tassels, prestigious seats, public greetings, and revered titles (Matthew 23:5–7).

“All their deeds are done for men to see.”

Core idea: Their religion pursued admiration rather than humility.

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5) Blindness — And Misleading Others

Jesus called them blind guides — unable to perceive spiritual truth themselves and actively preventing others from entering the Kingdom of God (Matthew 23:13–29).

“You shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor do you let in those who wish to enter.”

He accused them of converting people only to make them “twice as much a son of hell,” of manipulating sacred language for personal advantage, and of appearing righteous while being inwardly corrupt — like whitewashed tombs filled with decay.

“On the outside you appear righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

Core idea: Their leadership blocked access to God rather than opening the way.

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Two Bonus Traits

Self-Righteous Pride

Jesus illustrated this through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14). The Pharisee thanked God that he was not like others, while the tax collector cried out only for mercy.

“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Lovers of Wealth

Luke records bluntly that the Pharisees were lovers of money and scoffed at Jesus’ teaching:

Jesus: “You cannot serve both God and money.” - Luke 16:13.

Me: Though I have always known about The Lord's saying about serving two masters, the verse which follows - verse 14 completely escaped me till now.

Verse 14 (Luke): The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.

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In Summary

Jesus condemned the Pharisees not simply for being religious, but for religion without transformation.

Outward show over inward change.
Rule-keeping over justice and mercy.
Pride over humility.
Leadership that misled rather than healed.

This was not a rejection of faith — it was a judgment on faith emptied of love, truth, and repentance.

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I rest my case

Don Kenobi