In Matthew 23, Jesus denounced some of the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and pronounced upon them a succession of seven woes. The word "woe" means overwhelming sorrow or grief. Generally a woe was pronounced as a warning of impending calamity. Jesus, however, was not the only one of that time period who condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
In rabbinic literature, the sages list seven plagues of the Pharisees. It is also important to note, however, that in both the rabbinic literature and the words of Jesus there were some good things said about the Pharisees that were good and commendable. Jesus, for example, pointed out that the scribes and the Pharisees sat in "Moses’ seat," which was a position of religious authority. He also said that the people should observe what the Pharisees taught them (Matthew 23:2-3). He warned, however, "but do not ye after their works: for they say and do not" (Verse 3).
The Jerusalem Talmud describes seven kinds of Pharisees, five of which were hypocrites, and two were good. These may be the same as the seven types of extremist Pharisees described in the Jerusalem Encyclopedia: (1) The Shoulder Pharisee paraded his good deeds before men like someone wearing a badge on his shoulder. Jesus began His diatribe against the Pharisees by mentioning the shoulder (Matthew 23:4). (2) The Wait-a-little Pharisee would ask someone to wait for him while he performed some good deed. (3) The Blind Pharisee would bruise himself walking into a wall because he had to shut his eyes to avoid seeing a woman. (4) The Pestle Pharisee walked with hanging head so as to not observe some alluring temptations. (5) The Ever-reckoning Pharisee was always counting his good deeds to see if they offset his failures. The two good Pharisees were: (6) the God-fearing Pharisee, who was truly righteous, like Job, and (7) the God-loving Pharisee, who had a true affection for God, like Abraham.
(Moseley, Ron. Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church. Hagerstown, MD: Ebed Publications., pgs 109-110)
What kind am I? Here's hoping I'm a number 7. It requires more sacrifice, but it's what leads us to become like God.
ReplyDeleteRon Moseley states above: "Jesus, for example, pointed out that the scribes and the Pharisees sat in 'Moses’ seat,' which was a position of religious authority. He also said that the people should observe what the Pharisees taught them."
ReplyDeleteThere was a Jewish and Christian presentation about these very verses in SLC several years ago. It discussed changes to this verse found in the Hebrew Matthew (Shem Tov's Matthew, Du Tillet's Matthew). I checked my LDS edition of the Scriptures but did not see a JST footnote correction on this verse that suggests the Jews do as the Pharisees said. But in the full JST, the verse is slightly changed. I don't have my JST at work with me but got this from the Community of Christ's website:
2 All, therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, they will make you observe and do; for they are ministers of the law, and they make themselves your judges. But do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.
My reading of this verse is that the Pharisees would indeed tell the people what they should do as the Pharisees had usurpted the Seat of Moses. Joseph Smith, in my eyes, seems to agree with what the Shem Tov manuscript says about the Pharisees. That perhaps even what they said was suspect. I will get the Shem Tov quote later. Just wanted to add that. Like April, I hope do be God-fearing and God-loving and not falsely sit in the seat of Moses.
Karen, look forward to the quote - thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteAn obvious parallel in our modern day scriptures here, but I wanted to point it out anyway.
...He warned, however, "but do not ye after their works: for they say and do not" (Matthew 23:3).
D&C 132:32 - "Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham;"
What if a Pharisee said something and then did it?
ReplyDeleteWhat would you do? Do it because he said to?
Of not do it because he did it?
Which Pharisee do I want to be? NONE...to be a Pharisee is by definition to promote violation of Deut. 4:2 & 12:32. They invented the "oral law" in order to gain authority that the Bible does not give them. Their entire reason for existence as a sect was to take authority and especially influence from the priesthood.