Jews used to gather in private homes to worship together and study the Scriptures. This custom began in the late second century BC and continued during the time of Jesus (the first century). The group that diligently carried out these activities subsequently developed into a powerful and influential group within Jewish society. They called themselves ‘Pharisees’, which means ‘those who are set apart’. They sought to protect the Jewish faith from the influence of foreign cultures and to renew it by strictly enforcing the laws of the Torah, for example regarding the Sabbath, fasting, and foods that are permissible and forbidden. Most Pharisees had regular occupations and had no objection to cooperating with the Roman authorities. The Pharisees always held special meetings and, in accordance with the Law, did not work on the Sabbath. This is why the group’s sense of identity was so strong. The Pharisees also flourished outside Israel. Paul, who came from Tarsus (in south-eastern Asia Minor), was originally a member of this group (Phil. 3:5).

The Pharisees believed that scrupulous obedience to the lawof God was the duty of every Jew, and they not only observed the commandments identified by the rabbis from the Law of Moses, but also a number of additional oral traditions handed down from generation to generation, continually developing the regulations of the past for application in the present. These were known as the “customs of the forefathers” (Mark 7:3–5) or Halakah (Hebrew for “walk”). Although they were often criticised as hypocrites who paid attention only to outward appearances, their emphasis on purity and obedience was not an end in itself. In their view, these things were necessary to preserve the identity of the nation of Israel and were the only way to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah who would liberate the people of Israel.

Their interpretations of these laws are recorded in the Mishnah and the Talmud. Among the Jewish people, the Pharisees were highly renowned and respected. They established synagogues and schools. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, as well as in rewards and punishments for a person after their life on this earth (Acts 23:6).

From various sources