# Pharisee, Pharisees # ## 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](../other/sadducee.md)) ## Bible References: ## * [Acts 26:4-5](en/tn/act/help/26/04) * [John 03:1-2](en/tn/jhn/help/03/01) * [Luke 11:43-44](en/tn/luk/help/11/43) * [Matthew 03:7-9](en/tn/mat/help/03/07) * [Matthew 05:19-20](en/tn/mat/help/05/19) * [Matthew 09:10-11](en/tn/mat/help/09/10) * [Matthew 12:1-2](en/tn/mat/help/12/01) * [Matthew 12:38-40](en/tn/mat/help/12/38) * [Philippians 03:4-5](en/tn/php/help/03/04) ## Word Data:## * Strong's: