Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Matthew 3:7
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees, etc.] This being the first place in which mention is made of the Pharisees and Sadducees, it may not be amiss to give some account of them once for all, and to begin with the Pharisees, and first with their name. Some derive this word from Urp pharatz to “divide”, to “make a breach”, from whence Phares had his name (<013829>Genesis 38:29) so Jerom f164, who observes, that “the Pharisees, who separated themselves from the people as righteous persons, were called “divisi, the divided.”” And in f165 another place, “because the Pharisees were “divided” from the Jews on account of some superfluous observations, they also took their name from their disagreement.” Origen f166 seems to refer to this etymology of the word, when he says, “the Pharisees, according to their name, were dihrhmenoi tinev kai stasiwdeiv, certain divided and seditious persons.” And true it is, that this sect often meddled with the affairs of the government, and were very ambitious of being concerned therein. Josephus f167 observes of queen Alexandra, that she governed others, and the Pharisees governed her; hence, though they were in great esteem with the people, they were rather dreaded than loved by the government. Others derive this name from çrp “Pharas” to “expand”, or “stretch out”; either because they made broad their phylacteries, and enlarged the borders of their garments; or because they exposed themselves to public notice, did all they could to be seen of men, prayed in the corners of the streets, had a trumpet blown before them when they gave alms, chose the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, greetings in the markets, and to be called of men “Rabbi”: all which to be sure are their just characters. Others derive it from the same word, as signifying to “explain” or “expound”; because it was one part of their work, and in which they excelled, to expound the law; but this cannot be the reason of their general name, because there were women Pharisees as well as men, who cannot be thought to be employed in that work. The more generally received opinion is, that this name is taken from the above word, as signifying to “separate”; because they separated themselves from the men and manners of the world, to the study of the law, and to a greater degree of holiness, at least in pretence, than other persons. They were strict observers of the traditions of the elders; are said, to hold both fate and free will; they owned the resurrection of the dead, and that there were angels and spirits, in which they differed from the Sadducees. Or rather they have their name from srp, which signifies “a reward”; they being stiff defenders of the doctrine of rewards and punishments in a future state, which the Sadducees denied. The Talmudic writers f168 say, there were “seven” sorts of them, and if it would not be too tedious to the reader, I would give the names of them; and the rather, because some of them seem to tally with the complexion and conduct of the Pharisees mentioned in the scriptures. There were then, 1. ymkyç çwrp the “Shechemite Pharisee”, who does as Shechem did; is circumcised, not on God’s account, or for his glory, or because circumcision is a command of his, but for his own profit and advantage, and that he may get honour from men. 2. ypqyn çwrp “the dashing Pharisee”; who walks gently, the heel of one foot touching the great toe of the other; and scarce lifts up his feet from the earth, so t…
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