“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.” (Matthew 23:27-28)
The story of the Perushim, or Pharisees, is one that’s stuck with me—a warning about what happens when faith gets twisted. These guys started out with good intentions, but their journey shows how easy it is to lose sight of what really matters. As a Christian, I see their story as a wake-up call to stay connected to the heart of our faith, especially when I’m tempted to pull away from others or get caught up in rules over love.
Back in the days of the Second Temple, the Perushim—called Pharisees in English—were a Jewish group who wanted to live pure, holy lives. Their name literally means “separated ones” because they set themselves apart from everyday society to follow God’s Law and their ancestors’ traditions to the letter. They studied the Scriptures, kept strict rules, and believed they were doing right by God.
Sounds admirable, right? But here’s where it went wrong. Their obsession with following the Law made them start acting superior, like they were better than everyone else. They got so focused on looking perfect—keeping every ritual, following every rule—that they forgot about the stuff God really cares about, like love, mercy, and a changed heart. Jesus called them out for it, pointing out their hypocrisy and empty faith.
Jesus didn’t hold back when it came to the Pharisees. In Matthew 23:27-28, He compared them to “whitewashed tombs”—fancy graves that look great on the outside but are rotting inside. Ouch. He was saying their faith was all show: they followed rules to seem holy, but their hearts weren’t in it. They cared more about judging others than showing God’s love. That’s a gut-check for me. It’s easy to point fingers at the Pharisees, but am I ever guilty of the same thing—focusing on appearances instead of what’s real?
The Pharisees’ story feels personal because I’ve been there—frustrated with church, annoyed by rules, or just burned out on expectations. Sometimes, I want to pull away, to “separate” like they did, and do faith on my own terms. But their example shows the danger in that. God calls us to stay connected—not just to Him, but to His people. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to stop meeting together, because we need each other to grow, to be challenged, and to stay grounded.
The Pharisees got so caught up in being “pure” that they missed the point of faith: loving God and loving others. I don’t want to make that mistake. When I’m tempted to ditch community or get hung up on doing everything “right,” I remember Jesus’ words. He cared more about a genuine heart than a perfect checklist.
So, how do we avoid the Pharisees’ trap? For me, it’s about keeping my focus on Jesus. He showed us what faith looks like—full of grace, humility, and love. I need to spend time in prayer and the Bible to let God shape my heart, not just my actions. And I need my church family, even when it’s messy. They remind me I’m not alone and help me see where I’m off track.
The Pharisees’ story is a cautionary tale: good intentions aren’t enough if they lead you away from God’s heart. Let’s learn from them. Let’s stay connected to God and His people, and keep love and mercy at the center of our faith. That’s the kind of life Jesus called us to—one that’s real, not just a shiny tomb.
What about you? How do you keep your faith from becoming just a set of rules? I’d love to hear your thoughts.