Pharisees
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Pharisees in the Bible?
The Pharisees were a influential Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, distinguished by their commitment to both the Written Torah and the Oral Law, and their efforts to apply ritual purity standards to daily life beyond the Temple.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Pharisees clarifies the religious context of the New Testament, revealing the specific theological and legal debates between Jesus and the Jewish leadership of his time, and explaining the origins of Rabbinic Judaism.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Pharisees reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Pharisees in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pharisees clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Pharisees." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pharisees/