# Pharisee

## Facts:

The Pharisees were an important, powerful group of Jewish religious leaders in Jesus’ time.

* Many of them were middle class businessmen and some of them were also priests.
* Of all the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees were the most strict in obeying the Laws of Moses and other Jewish laws and traditions.
* They were very concerned about keeping the Jewish people separated from the influence of the Gentiles around them. The name “Pharisee” comes from the word to “separate.”
* The Pharisees believed in life after death; they also believed in the existence of angels and other spiritual beings.
* The Pharisees and Sadducees actively opposed Jesus and the early Christians.

(See also: [council](../other/council.md), [Jewish leaders](../other/jewishleaders.md), [law](../kt/lawofmoses.md), [Sadducee](../kt/sadducee.md))

## Bible References:

* [Acts 26:4](rc://en/tn/help/act/26/04)
* [John 3:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/03/01)
* [Luke 11:44](rc://en/tn/help/luk/11/44)
* [Matthew 3:7](rc://en/tn/help/mat/03/07)
* [Matthew 5:20](rc://en/tn/help/mat/05/20)
* [Matthew 9:11](rc://en/tn/help/mat/09/11)
* [Matthew 12:2](rc://en/tn/help/mat/12/02)
* [Matthew 12:38](rc://en/tn/help/mat/12/38)
* [Philippians 3:5](rc://en/tn/help/php/03/05)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: G53300
