PHARISEES

From the Hebrew word Pharez , division, or separation. (In other words, sectarians , or separatists .) The most sanctimonious sect of the Jews, forming their religious world. They were denounced by our Lord for their hypocrisy, that is to say, the hypocrisy of the majority. St. Paul was originally a Pharisee: “after the most strictest sect ( αἵρεσιν ) of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.” Acts xxvi. 5.