Jesus and the Pharisees: A Misunderstood Relationship

Context Matters

One of the things we have to be careful about as Christians is how we misrepresent Judaism through the lens of the New Testament. These texts are contextual—written in the decades following Jesus' life, reflecting a time of social and theological upheaval.

Jesus interacts with a number of religious and philosophical groups in the gospels, but one of the most prominent is the Pharisees. Often, we imagine Jesus and the Pharisees as polar opposites. But that's not really true. In fact, Jesus shares a lot of common ground with the Pharisees.

The World After the Temple

The gospels are shaped not just by Jesus' time, but by what comes after. In 70 AD, the Roman destruction of the temple was a cataclysm for Judaism. The Sadducees, who held temple authority, became irrelevant. The Zealots were mostly wiped out. The Essenes withdrew into the desert. The Pharisees, however, adapted and survived.

They became the foundation of Rabbinic Judaism. So when the gospel writers draw contrasts between Jesus and the Pharisees, it's not necessarily because they're theological opposites. It's because they represent two vital streams of thought competing for the attention of a shared audience.

No Formal Power, But Real Influence

Let's diffuse a few common misconceptions. First: Pharisees didn't hold formal power. They couldn't enforce laws or compel religious observance. The Sadducees were the official authority in Jerusalem. John's gospel, in particular, takes care to distinguish Pharisees from those with religious authority.

Second: the idea that the Pharisees were harsh legalists hated by the common people, while Jesus was universally beloved? That's an oversimplification. Pharisees were actually seen as the liberals of their day—often critiqued for being too lenient. They were popular because they made religious practice more accessible.

Elevating the Ordinary

Take handwashing before meals. In Exodus 30, only priests were commanded to wash. But the Pharisees taught everyone to do it. Why? Because everyone was a child of God. Because every table could be sacred. That was radical democratization.

Jesus pushes back in Mark 7—"This is fine, but don't make it a requirement." He's not angry that people wash their hands. He's concerned when rituals become weapons.

But even here, we can see the beauty of what the Pharisees were trying to do. They were saying, Your hands are holy. Your life is sacred.

The Line Between Sacred and Secular

This was the core of the Pharisaic vision: not that you needed the temple, but that you had God with you through Torah. That holiness was not reserved for a priestly elite, but open to all.

Of course, popularity brings influence. Influence can bring arrogance. And arrogance can lead to detachment. That's a familiar story, even today.

Still, not all Pharisees opposed Jesus. Some were curious. Some invited him into their homes. Some, like Nicodemus, even became followers. Jesus wasn't seen as a rival by all—he was a voice from within, calling for renewal.

A Pharisee Like Jesus?

If you were going to label Jesus—a fraught endeavor—"Pharisee" might be your best bet. He stands closest to them in theology, tradition, and style.

And here's the kicker: when Jesus is challenged—"Why are you eating with sinners?" —he responds not with defiance but with familiarity. He quotes Pharisaic tradition: "If they're not sick, why would they need a doctor?"

Jesus doesn't reject his critics. He reminds them of their own ideals. He appeals to what they both care about.

Start with Shared Ground

That's the heart of it. Jesus begins not with condemnation, but with connection. With common ground.

It doesn't always work. Sometimes confrontation spirals anyway. But his first move is toward relationship.

And that, I think, is holy.

God looks for what God shares with you.

And then, God works from there.