“Woe to you, scribes and pharisees…” The gospels are clear that Jesus fussed at the pharisees. He didn’t fuss with the sinners but instead welcomed them. He didn’t fuss with the Sadducees, another of the movements in first century Judaism, even though they were aloof from the people and collaborated with the Romans. The pharisees were, in one sense, the group most like Jesus — close to the people and urging a closer following of the ways of God. Jesus fussed with them because, as he taught, “those to whom much has been given, much will be required.” The Pharisees were given much in their love of the law but Jesus was concerned that their love of the law did not lead to love of God.
