Topical Encyclopedia
PhariseesThe Pharisees were a prominent religious and political group in Judea during the Second Temple period, particularly from the second century BC to the first century AD. They are frequently mentioned in the New Testament as key figures in the religious landscape of the time. The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions that they believed were handed down alongside the written Torah. They emphasized purity, tithing, and the observance of the Sabbath, and they believed in the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and the coming of the Messiah.
The Pharisees held significant influence over the common people due to their focus on personal piety and their role as interpreters of the Law. They were often in conflict with Jesus, who criticized them for their hypocrisy and legalism. In
Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
Despite their opposition to Jesus, some Pharisees were sympathetic to His teachings. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus by night to seek understanding (
John 3:1-21), and later defended Him before the Sanhedrin (
John 7:50-51). The Apostle Paul, before his conversion, was also a Pharisee, as he states in
Philippians 3:5 , "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee."
HerodiansThe Herodians were a political group mentioned in the New Testament, known for their support of the Herodian dynasty, which ruled parts of Judea under Roman authority. Unlike the Pharisees, the Herodians were not primarily a religious sect but were more politically motivated, aligning themselves with the interests of Herod Antipas and the Roman Empire. Their collaboration with the Romans made them unpopular with the Jewish populace, who resented Roman occupation.
The Herodians are mentioned in the Gospels as being in league with the Pharisees in their opposition to Jesus. Despite their differing motivations and beliefs, the two groups found common cause in their desire to challenge Jesus' authority. In
Mark 3:6 , it is recorded, "Then the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus." This alliance highlights the threat that Jesus posed to both the religious and political establishments of the time.
The Herodians' involvement in the plot against Jesus underscores the complex interplay of religion and politics in Judea during the first century. Their willingness to conspire with the Pharisees, despite their differing agendas, illustrates the extent of their opposition to Jesus' ministry and the perceived threat He posed to their power and influence.
