The Pharisees criticized Jesus for a variety of reasons, stemming from their differing interpretations of Jewish law and tradition, as well as their challenges to his authority and actions. Here's a breakdown of some of the key criticisms:
* Breaking the Sabbath: The Pharisees had a very strict interpretation of Sabbath laws, and they often accused Jesus and his disciples of violating them. Examples include:
* Healing on the Sabbath (e.g., healing a man with a withered hand).
* The disciples picking grain to eat on the Sabbath.
* Eating with "sinners" and tax collectors: The Pharisees believed in maintaining ritual purity and separating themselves from those they considered to be sinners. Jesus' willingness to eat with and associate with tax collectors and other marginalized people was seen as scandalous and a violation of social and religious norms.
* Not following traditional hand-washing rituals: The Pharisees emphasized the importance of ceremonial hand-washing before meals as a way to maintain purity. Jesus and his disciples sometimes neglected this practice, which the Pharisees saw as a sign of disrespect for tradition.
* Blasphemy: In some instances, the Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy, which was a serious offense punishable by death. This accusation often arose from Jesus' claims of divine authority or his forgiveness of sins.
* Questioning their authority and traditions: Jesus frequently challenged the Pharisees' interpretations of the law and their traditions, exposing their hypocrisy and emphasizing the importance of inner purity over outward ritual. This undermined their authority and made them feel threatened.
* Claiming to be the Messiah: The Pharisees had their own expectations of what the Messiah would be like, and Jesus did not fit their mold. His claims of being the Messiah were met with skepticism and hostility.
* Driving out demons: In some instances, the Pharisees accused Jesus of driving out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons, rather than by the power of God.
* Not fasting: Jesus' disciples did not always fast when the Pharisees expected them to, which was seen as a lack of piety.
In summary, the Pharisees' criticisms of Jesus were rooted in their differing interpretations of Jewish law, their concern for maintaining religious purity, their perception of Jesus as a threat to their authority, and their rejection of his claims to be the Messiah.