Saturday, December 20, 2014

Jesus and the Pharisees


What was Jesus’ relationship with the Pharisees? Most readers of the Gospels assume they were the chief opponents of Jesus. In support of such assumptions, people point to places within the Gospels where the Pharisees questioned Jesus and where He challenged them and pronounced “woes” against them.

Many overlook, however, that within the Gospels, Jesus ate with Pharisees; they sought Him out for His decisions; and they warned Him against Herod Antipas (Matthew 22:35; Mark 12:28; Luke 7:36; 10:25; 11:37; 13:31; 14:1; 17:20; John 3:1; 8:3).

A thorough reading of the Gospels calls for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between Jesus and the Pharisees than traditionally assumed. For an accurate understanding of Jesus’ relationship with the Pharisees, you must place both within the historical-cultural world of first-century Judaism. Read more

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