Because they were guilty of the charge. A hypocrite is someone who doesn't "practice what they preach." The Pharisees were notorious for taking advantage of the poor, looking down their noses at the destitute, and placing heavier religious burdens on the people than they themselves were willing to bear. Jesus very properly called them on it, especially in Matthew chapter 23.
...do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. (Matthew 23:3)
The Pharisees
The Pharisees and teachers of the law were often trying to test Jesus and find fault with his teaching. They would ask him challenging questions or try to trap him in his words in order to discredit him or undermine his authority.
The Pharisees and Jesus often clashed-yet they had much in common theologically, and Jesus had many non adversarial contacts with them. At the same time, Jesus rejected the validity of the oral laws of the Pharisees and also their emphasis on ritual purity that made the Pharisees refuse any contact with "sinners." Jesus came with the invitation to all people to enter the kingdom of God, while the Pharisees in effect disinvited all who did not live by the same standards as they. It was especially this exclusivism that Jesus objected to in the Pharisees; by using only standards of external behavior to measure people's relationship with God, they failed to realize that it is what is inside a person that counts, and that they therefore needed God's grace as much as the worst sinner. And it was this external religion that made it very difficult for them to believe in Jesus who did not do all the things the Pharisees felt a religious person should do. Jesus' work stirred up very great hatred in the Pharisees. They said that Jesus was in league with Satan. Despite the problems Jesus had with the Pharisee, it was the Sanhedrin who formally challenged Jesus' authority in the court of the temple (Matthew 11:27-33; Matthew 21:23-27) which later lead to the chief priests and elders of the Jews to plot to seize Jesus in secret and to kill him (Mark 14:1-2, Matthew 26:1-5, Luke 22:1-2).
Much like our cultures today regarding religious beliefs the Pharisees were the fundamentalists of that time period re strict religious beliefs and, basically and simply put 'thought they had cornered the market on righteousness) and took teachings of Jesus whose views often conflicted with the rigid beliefs of the Pharisees. It was the PHARISEES who often challenged Jesus. IT WAS NOT JESUS that was judging the Pharisees! Stoning by the Pharisees (a cultural method of punishment) Jesus met these challenges by exposing the hypocrisy of his Pharisee accusers. When Pharisees brought forth a woman for adultery Jesus' response was, "Those who have not sinned cast the first stone!" Therefore Jesus would NOT view children being stoned to death for being disobedient. Jesus consistently pointed out to the morality of the Pharisees of his time that their morality wasn't as correct as they believed that it was. Check out Matt.12:1-2 Matt.15:1-2 Mark 2:15-16 John 8:1-5 Matt. 12:7 Matt 15:3 - 6 What do I think? Jesus is loving and forgiving and it WAS the PHARASEES that were casting the stones upon children and NOT Jesus. Yes, he found the Pharisees hypocrites as I've mentioned above. It boils down to each culture and their belief system and it's repeated over and over again in religious history. Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites because they were ready to stone the woman found in adultery, but notthe man with whom she committed the crime. Furthermore, they had lust in their hearts, which Jesus had said was equivalent to committing adultery, yet they chose not to see it. Most likely he was making the point that even the righteous Pharisees picked and choose parts of the Old Testament, since they refused to stone disobedient children. The point was that if that biblical law can be ignored so can the law about stoning adulteresses. The word hypocrite has its origin in the Greek theatre where the actors used to wear stylized masks and effectively be something they were not. The pharisees, who were all indignant at Jesus' disciples not washing their hands, themselves ignored or sidestepped a more important command to honor and respect parents, thus most certainly making themselves hypocrites. The question is not therefore rhetorical but factual. They certainly were hypocrites. This is not the only place this assessment is made of them. Jesus had some very strong words to say in Matthew 23 as well -the whole chapter.=== === === ===
The pharisees were often conspiring to kill Jesus, so there could be no amicable relationship. In fact Jesus called them a 'generation of vipers'. (Matthew 3.7)
uhhh noNo he was not, and warned others about their behavior. ---- ANSWER: There is good reason to believe that if Jesus was not a Pharisee, He certainly agreed with much of their doctrines. Over 90 percent of the teachings of Jesus contain parallels in the surviving pharisaic teachings contained in the Talmud. Jesus also endorses only the Pharisees in Matt 23:1 . See "Hyam Maccoby" Jesus the Pharisee"
The accusation that Jesus was associated with Beelzebub, often interpreted as a reference to the devil, came from the Pharisees. In the Gospels, specifically in Matthew 12:24, they claimed that Jesus cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. This accusation was part of a broader attempt to discredit Jesus and challenge his authority and divinity.
The parable was told as a rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' time. Jesus came to call the nation of Israel to repent but the scribes and Pharisees thought Jesus should be talking with them the "spiritual leaders" not the common people. The father in the parable represents God and shows His desire for Israel to repent and turn to Him. The son represent the nation of Israel and the oldest son represents the scribe and Pharisees. People often use this parable to illustrate how God is waiting for people to repent and turn to Him. It is effective because it is an interesting story which people can associate with but this not the primary interpretation.
A Hypocrite is someone whose actions contradict what they have said, have done in the past or supposedly believe ...
"Monafiki" is a Swahili term that translates to "hypocrite" in English. It is used to describe someone who pretends to have certain beliefs, values, or feelings while acting in contradiction to them. The term often carries a negative connotation, implying deceit or insincerity in one's actions or words.
In the Bible, Jesus often condemned the Pharisees and religious leaders of His time for their hypocrisy, legalism, and failure to genuinely follow God's commandments. He criticized them for emphasizing outward appearances and rituals while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). Additionally, He condemned those who rejected Him and His teachings, warning of the consequences of disbelief.
I think this parable is often misinterpreted. People often say this parable is about sinners repenting. But if you look at the context of the parable you will see this parable is one of three Jesus told in reply to the Pharisees and scribes complaining saying ................ "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." Luke 15:2. The parables are given as a rebuke to the self righteous leaders of Israel. The father in the parable represents God. The youngest son represents Israel and the oldest son represents the Pharisees and the scribes.