The Pharisees: A Religious Group
The Pharisees were a religious group that came after the Maccabean revolt. There were two groups one that followed the Rabbi Shammai. That was a more strict interpretation of the law. The second group followed the Rabbi Hillel. This was a much tolerate group. The Pharisees were deeply offended of Jesus's ways. One of the reason was because Jesus associated with tax collectors,prostitutes,and sinners(Mark 2:15-17). They also were angered with Jesus because he went on his own authority to give forgiveness to people. In the eyes of the Pharisees the temple was the only place where someone might find forgiveness. The reason why Jesus rebuked against Pharisees was because he did not like there laws and beliefs they had into getting in the kingdom