Referring to the scribes and Pharisees who performed external religious acts to get public approval while their hearts were full of unrighteousness, Jesus used the term “hypocrite” 17 times and warned that such insincere leaders had already received their rewards and would get none from God.

The Revs. Erik Stadler and Griffin Jones say hypocrisy has always been a potential pitfall for religious people and it still is.

The Pharisees were members of a sect distinguished by the strict observance of traditional and written law who were known for their pretensions to superior sanctity.

“That was the thing that got Jesus the most angry, directed at the Jewish leadership, because they thought they could be saved without his help,” said the Rev. Stadler, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

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