Final answer:
Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and superficial adherence to the law, highlighting the importance of justice, mercy, and faith over outward appearances of piety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accusation of the Pharisees being evil stems from the criticisms Jesus made regarding their behavior. In the Bible, Jesus questioned the sincerity and the intentions of the Pharisees, suggesting that their actions were often hypocritical and not in keeping with the true spirit of the laws they professed to uphold. For example, in the book of Matthew, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their outward display of piety designed to gain respect from others, while neglecting the more important aspects of the law, like justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).
Additionally, Jesus highlighted the difference between external adherence to rules and genuine goodness of heart. He often criticized the Pharisees for their judgmental attitudes and their failure to understand the essence of the law they purported to follow. One of Jesus' famous responses to the Pharisees' criticism for associating with sinners is, 'I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance' (Luke 5:32), illustrating his focused mission on helping those in need rather than maintaining appearances.
These confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees are an important aspect of the New Testament narrative, depicting the tension between two very different understandings of religious devotion and righteousness.