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What the Bible Says About Pharisees

Overview

The Bible addresses pharisees across 22 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Luke and Acts. Closely related themes include Pharisees, the, Prudence, Tribute and Citizens. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Nicodemus, Moses and Gamaliel.

Key Bible verses about pharisees

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 12:38

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

Matthew 12:39

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Matthew 15:12

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

Matthew 19:3

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

Matthew 22:15

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

Matthew 22:16

And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Matthew 22:17

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

Matthew 22:18

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Matthew 22:19

Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. penny: in value seven pence halfpenny

Matthew 22:20

And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? superscription: or, inscription

Matthew 22:21

They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Matthew 22:22

When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Acts

Acts 15:5

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. rose: or, rose up, said they, certain

Acts 22:3

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Acts 23:6

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.

Acts 26:5

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

People in the Bible and pharisees

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying pharisees for yourself

  • Begin with Matthew 12:38, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Matthew, Luke and Acts each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus, Nicodemus and Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Pharisees, the, Prudence, Tribute and Citizens.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about pharisees?

The Bible addresses pharisees across 22 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Luke and Acts. Closely related themes include Pharisees, the, Prudence, Tribute and Citizens. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Nicodemus, Moses and Gamaliel.

How many Bible verses are about pharisees?

The Bible references pharisees in 22 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention pharisees?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Matthew 12:38: “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with pharisees?

Jesus, Nicodemus, Moses, Gamaliel and Paul.

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