The Pharisees were outwardly blameless, and for a show made long
prayers; but in secret they robbed widows of their property. They were
like graves, outwardly whitened, but inwardly full of dead men’s bones
and all uncleanness. Jesus told them these things openly, and they
therefore became His enemies; for man does not wish that his evil works
shall come to the light.--They believed that they for the sake of their
righteousness should inherit the kingdom of God; but Jesus preached
conversion and faith, and said that publicans and sinners would go into
the Kingdom of Heaven before them. The Pharisees wished to be greeted in
the market-places and be called Rabbi, and they were envious, for the
multitude clung to Jesus because of His blessed words and His miracles.
They would not understand Moses and the prophets, and expected that the
Messiah should establish the kingdom of David again, and bring the
Romans and other nations under the Jews. Jesus said that His kingdom was
not of this world, and that He should be persecuted and crucified, and
on the third day arise again from the dead. For all these things the
Pharisees and priests hated Jesus, and took counsel how they could kill
Him. Man always finds an excuse. The high priest Caiaphas said: It is
better that one man die for the people, than that the whole nation
should be destroyed.
The Sadducees taught that there is no resurrection from the dead, and
they therefore held the doctrine of Jesus concerning resurrection and
final judgment in derision and gave not the Word room in their hearts.