What Do We Do with the Pharisees?

Let’s face it, everything we have seen in this series leads to this one conclusion: the Pharisees are an enigma.  Matthew tells us they are the bad guys. Just read Matthew 3, 9, 12, 15, 16, 19, 22 and especially Matthew 23; and you will conclude exactly that. After all, they were hypocrites who were only in it for their own glory. And that sentiment is not only in Matthew; it’s in Mark, Luke and John, as well. But then we see other passages. The Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod is after him. They invite Jesus into their homes for a meal. They came to Jesus at night. A Pharisee was there at Jesus’ burial. Paul was/is a Pharisee. And history informs us that there were many other good things about the Pharisees.  So, maybe the Pharisees weren’t so bad.  But let’s be honest. It would take a whole lot