Hypocritical – they taught one thing but did another (Mt 23:2-3, 26-27; Lk 12:1).
They attempted the impossible by loving God and money at the same time (Mt 23:25; Lk 16:14).
They believed that association was equivalent to endorsement (Mk 2:16; Lk 5:30; 15:2).
They opposed and ridiculed Jesus and his followers (Mt 9:11; 21:15; Mk 15:31; Lk 6:2, 7; 11:53; 23:10; Acts 4:5-7; 6:12).
They meticulously followed rules but had no real moral authority (Mt 5:20; 7:29; Mk 1:22)
They had a list of taboos that were not found in the Bible (Mt 12:2; 15:2; Mk 2:24; 7:1-5; Lk 6:2; 11:37-38).
They knew the written word but did not know the living word (Mt 2:4-5; 9:34; 12:24; 23:13).
They designed shackles which gave false security if you kept them and false guilt if you did not.
Their interpretation of the Bible caused them to miss Jesus (Mt 9:3; 17:10; 21:45; 22:41ff.; 23:13; Mk 2:6-7; 3:22; 9:11; 12:35; Lk 5:21; 7:39; Lk 17:20; 19:39; Jn 8:13) as well as the more important issues of religion (Mt 23:23; Lk 11:42).
They sought approval of their party and not of God (Mt 23:15; Lk 7:30; 11:43; 20:46; Jn 12:19).
They were upset when the wrong people taught the truth or did good (Mk 11:27-28; Jn 1:24-25; 4:1; 12:19).
They sought signs but refused to believe them (Mt 12:38; 16:1; Mk 8:11; Jn 11:46-47).
They were offended rather than corrected by rebuke (Mt 15:12).
They sought to destroy Jesus (Mt 12:14; 22:15; 23:29-32; 26:57; Mk 3:6; 11:18; 14:1; 15:1; Lk 19:47; 22:2, 66; Jn 7:32; 11:57)
Their questions were designed to trap Jesus, not to listen to him (Mt 16:1; 19:3; 22:35; Mk 8:11; 10:2; 12:13, 28; Lk 11:53).
Their hypocritical hearts and positions of power defiled their followers (Mt 23:15, 26-27; Mk 8:15; 12:38; Lk 11:39)
They didn’t really love the people they were leading (Mk 11:18; Lk 20:19; 22:2; Jn 7:45-48; 9:13ff.).
They couldn’t answer Jesus’ questions (Mt 21:24-27; 22:41-46; Lk 14:3-4)
They would align with whoever serves their purposes (Mt 27:62; Mk 3:6; 11:27; 12:13; 14:43; 15:1; Jn 18:3.
Some believed in Jesus (Jn 3:1-2; 12:42; Acts 5:34; 23:6)
They issued false flattery and friendship (Lk 7:36-39; 11:37-38; 13:31; 14:1).
