It’s fair to say, we tend to see ourselves as the main character. Still we forget share the planet with 8 billion others who feel the same way. In our short existence, we also tend to assume we’re the protagonist in our story of life. We’re the good guy, the hero who saves the day, and our choices have put us on the right side of history. Unfortunately, that’s not always reality, and many of humanity’s worst actions came from those who thought their actions were pure.
For anyone with a moral compass, we try to avoid stepping into the role of antagonist in the grand story of humanity. Those with a biblical worldview, would obviously try and align themselves with God, and not his enemies. That should be easy, scripture is clear on who the villains are, the devil, demons, hipsters, all terrible but, In the new testament, the central troublemakers are undoubtedly the pharisees.
The legalistic and hypocritical religious elite during the time of Christ. They were an influential sect flaunting their assumed intelligence, and hell bent on destroying the ministry of Jesus. Therefor, anyone claiming to be a follower of Christ, should try and distance themselves from this group. To be fair, I don’t think anyone signs up to be a pharisee, however many fall into the same behavior by accident. It’s the result of unchecked hubris, spiritual arrogance, and abandoning the message of scripture all while trying to justify yourself. Falling into the trap ensnares the minds of many individuals, but also to entire religions, like Jehovah’s Witnesses.
This group claims to be the only true followers of Christ, if you will the good guys. However, if you dig further, you’ll see today’s Witnesses, act and believe more like the villains. Now I am NOT saying that every Jehovah’s Witness is this snarling evil person, hiding under your bed, seeking to destroy you, thought they might wake you up on a Saturday morning. When you compare the actions and beliefs the Biblical pharisees to the modern day witness, there are some striking similarities, so much so, the witness should be asking themselves if they are actually the bud guys.
Legalism
Legalism is strict adherence to the law. To such an insane degree, you focus on the a few words rather than the intention behind them. To give an example, biblically gluttony is a sin. Now adhering to the Bible rationally, one can surmise God desires us to avoid overindulgence and generally seek health. That means enjoy the Cheesecake, but maybe stick with one or two slices. However, legalism says you should never consume one ounce over 1500 calories daily limit, or God will cast you out. Absurd as this sounds, the latter is how the pharisees behaved. One example is the group condemning the Jesus and his disciples for picking the heads of grain on the sabbath from Matthew 12.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
Jesus responds basically saying, “David was allowed to break the rules, eating the consecrated bread meant only for the priest? If your sheep fall into a pit on the sabbath, don’t you lift them out to save their lives?” These rules have intentions behind them, but God care more about life, and there are situations where these can be broken.
How does this compare to JW’s? Well, one example, Their stance on refusing blood transfusions. Though the Bible says ingesting blood is wrong, (not injecting which aren’t the same) the organization has ignored the spirit of the law, which centered around health reasons, and separation from the other false religious practice. They refuse to pull back and look at the broader context, and in doing so have cause the unnecessary death of thousands of Witnesses.
That’s one example, but here’s another that covers a range of restrictions. “Be no part of the world.” You find this all over their magazines, website and used throughout their culture. This simple command becomes a doctrinal blank check. The “world” is anything they leaders say it is. This is legalism run amuck, barring people from celebrating mothers day, or having a cigar once a year. Legalism is control, and pervasive in any group detached from humility and sound reasoning. You twist God’s word into a measuring stick by which you judge others, always finding yourself in perfect harmony, and everyone else who doesn’t adopt your world view as severely lacking. Adopting this behavior reveals the inner self righteousness.
Spiritual pride
When asking, are Jehovah’s Witnesses Pharisees, you need to examine the foundation of their folly. That being said, nothing says I’m a pharisee more than thinking, “I’m better than you.” You assume yourself wiser, smarter, more focused, more respectful, more obedient than those sinners. If you find yourself saying that, congratulations you might be a pharisee. Jesus gives a parable in Luke 18:9-14, explaining how the pharisees presented themselves.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
Christ emphasizes, the tax collector was declared righteous, not the pharisee. This is holy hubris get’s you nowhere, and a warning from Jesus himself. Assuming you’re superior to others is evidence of lack of humility which has no place in those saved. How does this compare to Jehovah’s Witnesses? To reiterate, it’s not about the individual JW, but the attitude thrust open them by the organization. High control groups love to instill fear to maintain control, but also trap you by inflating pride. Here’s just a few things the Watchtower says about the Witnesses, and side note, they’re all lies.
Only Jehovah’s people have completely broken free from Babylonish superstitions. Only they have an organization that completely abides by what God’s Word has to say on sexual immorality, abortions, drunkenness, stealing, idolatry, racial prejudice, and other worldly pursuits and practices. And they alone are the ones obeying the command to preach the good news of Jehovah’s Kingdom. – Watchtower March 1986 pg.20
Some people claim to have read the Bible dozens of times. But do they truly believe in the Bible? Have they applied it or allowed it to affect the course of their life? Sadly, often the answer is no. What a contrast with Jehovah’s people! – Watchtower September 2024 pg.7
Of all those who claim to be Christian, only Jehovah’s Witnesses take the preaching of the good news seriously.– Watchtower January 1988 pg.20
How, though, can God’s organized people be identified? According to the standards set out in the Scriptures, they have real love among themselves, they have deep respect for the Bible, they honor God’s name, they preach about his Kingdom, and they are no part of this wicked world. There is only one religious organization on this earth that has all these marks of true Christianity— Jehovah’s Witnesses ! – Watchtower January 1997 pg.22
The watchtower is claiming only Jehovah’s Witnesses read the Bible and apply it to their lives. Only Jehovah’s Witnesses preach to others. Only Jehovah’s Witnesses have love and respect from the Bible, and take no part in wickedness. This is extremely short sited and objectively not true. To make matters worse, they act here as if they are the only people who have ever been oppressed for religious reasons.
Who in our time demonstrate such obedience to God’s commandments on love? Who have been persecuted, imprisoned, thrown into concentration camps, or executed because they would not take up weapons against fellow believers—or even unbelievers—of other nations? The record of this century’s history answers: only Jehovah’s Witnesses. – Watchtower May 1989 pg. 28
Apparently the Watchtower hasn’t heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, André Trocmé, the Mennonites, the Amish, and hundreds of other groups and men who fit exactly into that category. The organization is so focused on themselves and their pride, they refuse to see reality, resorting to spewing nonsense that brainwashes their members.
Tradition over truth
Now I’m not saying all tradition is evil, in fact I think some can be edifying and spiritually uplifted, the one big problem is when tradition contradicts scripture. Jehovah’s Witnesses would never admit they have tradition, but instead cast shade on the Catholics. Here’s why the hypocrisy begins. In Mark, Jesus is condemning the pharisees over the “corban rule”, a vow made that certain property no belonged to God. That’s all well and good, yet this was misused and promoted the appearance of religiosity. Christ condemned them basically saying, “you’re neglecting your father and mother, over a man made rule.” He explains like this…
And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
Mark 7:5-7
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
Is following man made rules, rather than scripture, something the JW organization is guilty of?
- Don’t salute a flag
- Don’t vote
- Don’t get a blood transfusion
- Don’t donate to the Salvation Army
- Don’t join the Boy or Girl Scouts
- Don’t celebrate holidays, including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
- Don’t celebrate a birthday
- Don’t attend a church
- Don’t join a club
- Don’t have a independent Bible study
- Don’t read literature that speaks against the Jehovah’s Witness organization
- Don’t believe anything different from what the leader’s interpriation
- Don’t disobey the governing body
- Don’t refuse any “New Light.”
- and many more…
None of these rules are found in the text of scripture, but crafted to reinforce isolationism and submission.
Outward appearance
In Matthew 23, Jesus gives a great condemnation upon the religion sect. He calls them a brood of vipers, hypocrites, blocking people from entering eternal life which they will not enter. Pretty harsh words, and among them is Christ calling out their obsession with appearance.
They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
Matthew 23:5
Almost everything about the Jehovah’s Witness religion is centered around appearance. There’s rules on how they should dress, how they should present themselves, what’s acceptable and what isn’t. What clothes you should be wearing, and how men should trim their beards. Let’s not forget, it was until 2024 that women couldn’t wear pants, and men couldn’t have beards. That had nothing to do with the Bible, but keeping a certain appearance.
Our appearance should always reflect our “devotion to God,” indicating to others that we worship the true God. – Enjoy Life Forever, section 52
Our appearance reflects our feelings for Jehovah and for the privilege of being his Witnesses. We should always dress as those “professing to reverence God” – Our Kingdom Ministry 2007 pg.4
Then there’s the public witnessing. This certainly counts, and the only reason the organization still preforms those outdated and ineffective tactic is so they have something to point to and say, “look at us.” You can see from all the previous Watchtower quotes, they love to mention their “preach about the Kingdom.”
That’s not all, as you must consider how they view the appearance of being spiritual or righteous. To them, everyone on the outside is a horrible sinner, and only Jehovah’s Witnesses are clean and must appear that way. Just look at how they speak about those outside of the congregation.
Do we justify such association by saying that they have many good qualities? “Do not be misled,” warns the Bible. “Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Cor. 15:33) Just as a small amount of pollution can contaminate clean water, friendship with those who do not practice godly devotion can contaminate our spirituality and lead us into adopting worldly viewpoints, dress, speech, and conduct.” – Watchtower February 2013
To remain in God’s love, we must be pure in our worship, conduct, and thoughts. But it is also important to Jehovah that we be physically clean. – Books & Brochures, How to Remain in God’s Love
No NO! That’s absolute Pharisee talk. Does this sound familiar?
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Matthew 23:27-28
The organization thinks they’re pure, but to even suggest they’re more pure than the others, misses the point of the gospel. Everyone is a sinner, everyone falls short, no one is pure. So assume the opposite, you cross into pharisee territory.
Very possibly the worst is the saying to avoid bringing reproach on Jehovah’s name. This is the reason for their mountain of legal trouble. For years the organization had allegedly been hiding child sexual assault instances from the authorities. A news search will bring up dozens of cases, either settled or still in the courts, regarding the religion failing to report these heinous crimes. This is strictly to make the organization look good. They fail to realize, if they were to report, the majority of people would apricate their love for justice and children. However, in their foolish endeavor to avoid the same label as the Catholic church has been history guilty of, they’ve made themselves look worse. This is what happens, when your addiction to appearance blinds you from reason. How many have to suffer so this organization can pretend their pure.
The Same False Doctrines
So far using common sense inferences, it’s not going well if we’re asking are Jehovah Witnesses pharisees. While they may look and act like them, do they share their beliefs that the Bible condemns? Yes.
- The Pharisees thought their good works aided in God approval
though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Philippians 3:4-6
- Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the same.
We are not worthy of this magnificent gift, though, if we fail to demonstrate our love and obedience by doing the things that the Bible says God and Christ want us to do. – Watchtower February 1996 pg.8
- The Pharisees taught only they were the correct interpreters or teachers of God’s word.
They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.
John 9:34
- Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the same.
Some may feel that they can interpret the Bible on their own. However, Jesus has appointed the ‘faithful slave’ to be the only channel for dispensing spiritual food. Since 1919, the glorified Jesus Christ has been using that slave to help his followers understand God’s own Book and heed its directives. By obeying the instructions found in the Bible, we promote cleanness, peace, and unity in the congregation. Each one of us does well to ask himself, ‘Am I loyal to the channel that Jesus is using today?’ – Watchtower 2016 November pg.18
- The Pharisees removed anybody who didn’t obey them or their teachings.
Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;
John 12:42
- Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they should do the same.
Apostasy is, in reality, a rebellion against Jehovah. Some apostates profess to know and serve God, but they reject teachings or requirements set out in his Word. Others claim to believe the Bible, but they reject Jehovah’s organization and actively try to hinder its work. When they deliberately choose such badness after knowing what is right, when the bad becomes so ingrained that it is an inseparable part of their makeup, then a Christian must hate (in the Biblical sense of the word) those who have inseparably attached themselves to the badness. – Watchtower 1993 October pg.19
- The Pharisees put themselves as the soul authority of believers, and they must be followed to gain God’s approval.
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,
Matthew 23:2
- Jehovah’s Witnesses absolutely believe the same.
We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval – Watchtower Study Edition Simplified July 2011, pg.28
Also note worthy, The pharisees denied Jesus being God incarnate. In John 10:27-30, is quoting scripture from Deuteronomy 32:39 and Psalms 95:7, which can only be attributed to God alone, yet he applies these text to his very being, identifying himself as the God of the Jews. This is why the Pharisees accused him of blasphemy, because he was a man, making yourself out to be God.
The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
John 10:33
The watchtower doctrine demands their members to pick up a stones and hurl them at the son of God. That’s being on the wrong side of history.
The Evidence speaks for itself.
So are Jehovah’s Witnesses modern day pharisees? Yes and many others share that same spirit. They’re a group of religious elite, with self authority, and hopelessly convinced of their own superiority and righteousness. Let me be clear, anyone can fall into this category. Perhaps only adopting a few aspects, which is why everyone needs to examine themselves, and ask where they stand. Again, this isn’t an attack on the individual witnesses, but the leaders who demand their members behave in such a manner.
Most Jehovah’s Witnesses I’ve met tend to be polite and zealous, but they are absolutely brainwashed into thinking they’re the good guys. So did the Pharisees. They need to honestly read the text, examine themselves, and ask what does the Bible say about them, rather than the watchtower. The stories concerning the Sadducees and Pharisees are mentioned as a warning. This kind of thinking is a disease and no one is immune.
So how does someone avoid being the bad guy. Well it’s to recognize that you are the villain. None of us are the victors, but the villain. We fall into pharisee behavior by fanning the flames of our own superiority. Following God isn’t about how good you are, but how good he is, fully humbling yourself, knowing you could never measure up to perfection, and letting Christ do the saving for you. Out of the undeserved merit he’s given as a gift, those who follow his way desire for morality, justice and mercy. The Bible can’t say it any louder, repent, turn to Christ, and don’t be a pharisee.