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
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
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:
Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
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?
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
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.
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. penny: in value seven pence halfpenny
And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? superscription: or, inscription
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.
When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Luke
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. rejected: or, frustrated against: or, within themselves
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.
John
Acts
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
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.
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.
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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