Do as the Pharisees Say!

"Therefore, whatever they say to you to guard, guard and do. But do not do according to their works, for they say, and do not do."

Matthew 23:3

Was the relationship Yeshua had with the Pharisees truly as caustic as many claim it to be? When one makes a blanket statement about an entire group of people because the actions of a few, it's not very considerate to those who don't conduct themselves in such a manner. Did Yeshua truly hold resentment towards “all” the Pharisees as often romanticized by anti-Torah extremists? Let’s see where Scripture weighs in on the subject. First and foremost, the Pharisees and Scribes often referred to Yeshua as Rabbi, a title held to esteem for someone considered to be a teacher of Torah (see, Matthew 12:38-42; Luke 11:29-32; Luke 11:37-54; John 1:35-38; John 3:1-2). A person who would consider another a heretic, certainly wouldn't use a title such as rabbi when addressing them, so this shows that not “all“ the Pharisees were in disagreement with Yeshua or His teachings. What would come to a surprise to most in the anti-Torah camp, is the fact that the Scribes are disciples of John the Baptist (Matthew 9:14-17). In the Messianic Scriptures the term Scribe or Disciple of John the Baptist are interchangeable, as seen when the Scribes and Pharisees question Yeshua on how He could eat with those who do not wash their hands or fast according to their custom (see, Matthew 12:4; Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18; Matthew 15:2; Mark 7:5; Luke 11:36). Also note, many Scribes and Pharisees became followers of Yeshua (see, John 12:42-43; Acts 15:5).

So, does Yeshua hold resentment towards “all“ the Pharisees? Absolutely not, what He does hold them to is a higher standard; because, they are religious leaders and teachers of Torah. The Pharisees took offense to Yeshua ministering to sinners, which He attempts to explain His ministry in three different parables (see, Luke 15:1-7; 15:8-10; 15:11-32). In the parables, Yeshua is likening the Pharisees to the 99 sheep who were not lost, the 9 coins which were not lost, and the faithful son who stayed home. The lost sheep, coin, and prodigal son were a representation of the sinner, the lost whom Yeshua is attempting to reclaim. Yeshua saw the Pharisees as being righteous, but admonishes them for their hypocrisy; because, as teachers of Torah they are held to a higher standard than sinners who don’t know or acknowledge the law. Yeshua then goes on to state that it is not the healthy who are in need of a doctor, but the sick (see, Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31). Once again, Yeshua acknowledges the righteousness of the Pharisees.

Yeshua holds a certain respect for the Scribes and Pharisees to state that they sit on the Seat of Moses, this is a position of honor, a term of endearment (see, Matthew 23:2), Moses is regarded as one of the greatest Prophets. Yet, Yeshua states in Matthew 23:3 to do as the Scribes and Pharisees say, but not as they do. This can be likened to euphemisms, such as; “do as I say, not as I do” or "practice what you preach", often used by someone or others who know their actions don’t correlate with their speech. Yeshua isn’t mixing words here, He acknowledges the Scribes and Pharisees as teachers of Torah; however, He is also addressing their hypocrisy. Never does Yeshua rebuke the Pharisees for upholding Torah; in fact, Yeshua states that if our righteousness doesn’t exceed that of the Pharisees, we would not enter the Kingdom (see, Matthew 5:20). Once again, Yeshua is acknowledging the righteousness of the Pharisees.

Would Yeshua ever contradict Himself? How could He give the Scribes and Pharisees such respect as to say they sit on the Seat of Moses, if He held a resentment toward them? Why would He place them in such a position of honor? Why would He state our righteousness should exceed theirs, if they are supposedly as unrighteous as the anti-Torah crowd so claim?

Yeshua isn’t mincing words or speaking in code, we shouldn’t perceive His words as sarcasm, He is being quite direct with His words. Yeshua genuinely regarded the Scribes and Pharisees as righteous, in comparison to the sinners during that time in Israel’s history. The Pharisees had a misconception about Yeshua’s teachings; perceiving His criticism towards them as rejection, when it was not, and His attention to the sinner as a love for lawlessness. This same sentiment is shared by the anti-Torah crowd today; who misinterpret Yeshua’s actions as a rejection of the Pharisees and the Law of Moses, and acceptance of the sinner and their lawlessness. This is not what was transpiring; Yeshua, regarded the Pharisees as being the healthy and righteous of Israel. He did not call on the righteous to repentance; but rather, the sinner.

Yeshua’s criticisms towards the Scribes and Pharisees should not be perceived as a rejection, but rather correction. Yeshua isn't holding resentment towards the Pharisees when He admonishes them, but rather, he is offering correction. Now, it is the foolish man who denies correction; however, he who hears reproof acquires knowledge (Proverbs 12:1, 15:32). Yeshua often refers to the Pharisees and Scribes as the healthy and righteous of Israel, Yeshua would hold them to a much higher standard, than He would a sinner. It would serve no purpose to rebuke someone for disobeying the law when they had no knowledge or belief in it, they are living as outsiders (lost) in the domain of Torah, which is why Yeshua is calling the sinners to turn back to faith and obedience to the Father (repentance). Yeshua is not admonishing the Scribes and Pharisees out of resentment; but rather, out of love (see, Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 12:1).

Proponents of anti-Torah propaganda often twist the dialogue between Yeshua, the Scribes, and the Pharisees as a means to fit into their agenda of lawless ideology. Yeshua counts the works of the Pharisees as righteousness, not only does He state that they sit on the Seat of Moses, but He also states that our righteousness should outweigh theirs, and He also states that He does not call the righteous to repentance, but the sinner (see, Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31). It is clear that Yeshua held a certain regard for the Scribes and Pharisees, as teachers of Torah, when He often engaged in conversation with them, as well as being an invited guest into their homes (see, Luke 7:36; Luke 14:1-6).

Today, many use the passage in Luke 14:1-6 to promote Yeshua’s supposed hostility towards the Pharisees; but notice verse 1, He is an invited guest, who is being carefully watched. Now, at face value, carefully watched seems a bit hostile, but notice, Yeshua continues to ask questions and then following up with action, which doesn’t receive a response from the Pharisees. In the Hebraic mindset, one teaches with example, Yeshua is a guest of the Pharisee, and He is actually teaching and clarifying concerns of Torah. In the Hebraic culture it isn’t unusual to answer a question with a question, and the Pharisees are diligently watching Him. Yeshua asks if it is unlawful to heal on the Sabbath, then goes over and heals a man, and neither His question nor His action gain any response or reaction from the Pharisees who are watching Him. Yeshua then goes to explain the proper etiquette for meals and banquets offering a parable, and then later concludes chapter 14 with an explanation of the cost of being one of His disciples. Why on earth would Yeshua be teaching a group of people who are supposedly hostile towards Him, or whom He didn’t see as being worthy of such teaching? He wouldn’t have, remember, it is Yeshua who stated one shouldn‘t give that which is set-apart to dogs, nor cast your pearls to pigs (see, Matthew 7:6). Let alone, He wouldn’t explain to them the cost of being one of His disciples, why would He offer up such an invitation to people He held contempt for? These men were intrigued by Yeshua’s teachings, and they were attentive when He was teaching and addressing them. This is not the malicious altercation that the anti-Torah crowd tries to convey; Yeshua was invited as a guest to the Pharisee‘s house, to teach them a better understanding of Torah.

As you can see, Yeshua didn’t reject the Scribes and Pharisees, but rather held them to a higher standard as teachers of Torah. The main concern for Yeshua was the manner in which the Scribes and Pharisees conducted themselves, seeing them as hypocrites, righteous in an outward appearance. We don’t get to see what happens behind closed doors, this is exactly what Yeshua is referring to when He calls them all hypocrites, outwardly righteous, but corrupt on the inside (see, Matthew 23:27-28; 1 Peter 3:4). Had the Pharisees lived up to their own expectations, they would have been regarded as righteous, and not viewed by Yeshua as hypocrites. What it comes down to is this “practice what you preach.” This is why Yeshua states that we should do as they say, and not as they do. It is the hypocrisy of the Pharisees that Yeshua had an issue with, and this same hypocrisy is seen throughout the body today. Yeshua acknowledges their righteousness and knowledge of Torah, but cautions us to do as they say not as they do, then addresses His expectations that our righteousness should exceed theirs’. Are we who we say we are? We should do as they say, not as they do. Let’s not be modern day Pharisees, let our righteousness exceed theirs’, let’s be doers of the word not just listeners, or those who give lip-service. Yeshua calls us to remain faithful and obedient, this is what faith-obedience is all about, our actions should speak louder than words, and we demonstrate our faith through our obedience to Him and His word.