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The origin of the Pharisaic party must, in all probability, be assigned to this time,
arising as a reaction to the spirit of Grecianism, and seeking to defend the national
position of Israel. Hence the Pharisees were the "separate ones", separated from the
rationalism of the day, and defending zealously the law and heritage of Israel. The
Imperial Bible Dictionary is much to the point:
"There were two lines of important influence at work, the one tending to narrow the
spirit of Judaism, the other to rationalize it. This latter influence again could only have
the effect of intensifying the former, and lead all who would remain faithful to Israel's
inheritance from the past and hope of the future, to a still sterner adherence to the law. It
was at this time then, that the party of the Pharisees began, in all probability, to be
formed."
The rationalizing spirit against which Pharisaism revolted, was personified during the
Lord's earthly ministry, in the Sadducees and Herodians, the priestly ruling class who
had the chief share in the crucifixion.
The basic ideals of Pharisaism may be considered to have been good at the outset,
defending the position of Israel from the intrusion of foreign ideas but the means resorted
to actually undermined what they sought to defend. The Law was hedged about with oral
traditions intended to protect it and interpret it for daily life, but these traditions had
become, at the time of the Lord's earthly ministry, as important as the Law itself. In fact
in some cases, the traditions transgressed the Law, or made it of no effect.
"Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? . . . . . ye
made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition" (Matt. 15: 3, 6).
The Lord went on to show that Pharisaism (in practice) was condemned by Isaiah
during his days, and it seems that it had very nearly always existed in germ throughout
the long period of Israel's history. There can always be found those who worship either
the letter of the Law to the exclusion of the spirit, or add their own traditions which
ostensibly protect the Law, but in practice supersede it. Such was true of the days of
Isaiah and of the Lord.
"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh
unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from
Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men"
(Matt. 15: 7-9).
The origin of the Pharisaic party cannot be pinned down accurately to any date, but
the spirit which has come to be recognized as associated with Pharisaism may be traced
far back into the history of Israel. Whilst the voices of the prophets continued to be
raised against the empty religion which this spirit produced, no party was formed which
could be termed "The Pharisees", but when the last of the O.T. prophets had ceased his
words to Israel, Pharisaism with its narrow Judaistic leanings, and reacting against the
intrusion of Grecianism, formed itself into a solid body and became the most important
religious force in Israel. How they subsequently developed is now to be considered.