Pharisee, Pharisees

Facts:

The Pharisees were an important, powerful group of Jewish religious leaders in Jesus' time.

Many of them were middle class businessmen and some of them were also priests.
Of all the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees were the most strict in obeying the Laws of Moses and other Jewish laws and traditions.
They were very concerned about keeping the Jewish people separated from the influence of the Gentiles around them. The name "Pharisee" comes from the word "to separate."
The Pharisees believed in life after death; they also believed in the existence of angels and other spiritual beings.
The Pharisees and Sadducees actively opposed Jesus and the early Christians.