To answer your good question, I believe it would be good to see what the Bible has to say about the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes.  Perhaps we could look at each one separately to get a good understanding about who they were.

Luke 18:9-14 tells us, “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” 

In addressing this parable of the Pharisee and the publican, the Lord is speaking to “certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.”  It is apparent that He is speaking to a group of Pharisees, and this was particularly characteristic of them. 

  • The Pharisees were the prominent sect during the Lord’s time on earth and they prided themselves on their superior sanctity of life, devotion to God, and their study of the Law.
  • Next to the Pharisees, the Sadducees were the most prominent sect of the Jews. They did not believe in the resurrection, in spirits, or in angels. They believed that one’s soul perished with the body.  (Read Matthew 22:23, Acts 4:1-2, and Acts 23:8). 
  • The scribes were the ones who copied and taught the scriptures.  They were not of a particular sect…they could be a Pharisee or a Sadducee. 

As the Lord dealt with various men, He would often rebuke them for their self-righteous and hypocritical behavior.

  • In Matthew 3:7, the Lord called the Pharisees and Sadducees a “generation of vipers.”
  • In Matthew 23:13, the Lord called the scribes and Pharisees “hypocrites.”
  • In Matthew 23:13-29, the Lord pronounces six “WOES” upon the scribes and Pharisees.
  • In Matthew 16:6, the Lord warned the people of “the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”
  • In Matthew 22:15, the Pharisees “took counsel how they might entangle him (Jesus) in his talk.”
  • In John 8:3-11, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to the Lord to tempt Him.

Not all the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes were wicked people (Zaccheaus was a Pharisee, as was Joseph of Arimathea…both Godly men).  However, what characterized these so-called religious leaders was their hatred and rejection of the Lord.  Today, there are many who hold the position of Christian leaders, yet their hearts are not for the Lord.  Many assume that position for their own gain, whether it be for celebrity status or monetary gain.  The Lord warns us in Matthew 7:15-16, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits…”  To be able to discern who the false prophets are today, we need to be familiar with the Word of God.  We need to know the truth so that we can recognize the false!  Many today do not particularly want to hear the truth.  Many want someone to ‘tickle their ears’ by telling them what they want to hear.  That opens the way for false teachers to gain an audience.  We read in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”  Let us study our Bibles often.  Let us become so familiar with the Word and with our dear Lord Jesus Christ that we are able to tell when someone is teaching falsehoods.  Let us know and use our Bibles effectively for the Lord and to minister truth to those around us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  (CC)  (634.4)