"a Pharisee, a follower of the sect of the Pharisees, a numerous and powerful sect of the Jews, distinguished for their ceremonial observances, and apparent sanctity of life, and for being rigid interpreters of the Mosaic law; but who frequently violated its spirit by their tradit..."
Definition and meaning
a Pharisee, a follower of the sect of the Pharisees, a numerous and powerful sect of the Jews, distinguished for their ceremonial observances, and apparent sanctity of life, and for being rigid interpreters of the Mosaic law; but who frequently violated its spirit by their traditional interpretations and precepts, to which they ascribed nearly an equal authority with the OT Scriptures, Mt. 5:20; 12:2; 23:14
In the original Greek the word is written: Φαρισαῖος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of pharisaios (G5330) across the King James Bible.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
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Common questions
Strong's G5330 (pharisaios) is a Greek word that means: a Pharisee, a follower of the sect of the Pharisees, a numerous and powerful sect of the Jews, distinguished for their ceremonial observances, and apparent sanctity of life, and for being rigid interp... It appears 95 times in the King James Bible.
The word pharisaios (G5330) appears 95 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5330 is pharisaios, a Greek word defined as: a Pharisee, a follower of the sect of the Pharisees, a numerous and powerful sect of the Jews, distinguished for their ceremonial observances, and app. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pharisaios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.