Jesus’ teachings about religious people are both challenging and enlightening. While He acknowledged the importance of faith, He often criticized those who focused more on outward rituals than inward transformation—especially the Pharisees. These religious leaders were known for their strict rule-keeping, but Jesus called out their hypocrisy, pride, and lack of compassion. He reminded us that true faith isn’t about appearances or self-righteousness, but about humility and a heart aligned with God’s love and mercy.
At the core of Jesus’ message is the idea that genuine religion is defined by love—for God and for others—and by mercy, not sacrifice. He emphasized that true worship must come from the heart, done “in spirit and in truth,” not merely through empty traditions or human rules. Through His own example of compassion, healing, and service, Jesus demonstrated what authentic faith looks like: one that uplifts the broken, serves the needy, and remains grounded in humility.
Keep reading for a deeper dive into how Jesus redefined religion—and how His example can reshape the way we live out our faith today.
When you think of religious people, you might imagine those who strictly follow rules, attend services regularly, and seem to have an outwardly pious life. But what does Jesus actually say about religious people? The answer is more surprising and insightful than you might expect.
Jesus and the Pharisees: A Complex Relationship
One of the most prominent groups of religious people during Jesus’ time were the Pharisees. They were known for their strict adherence to the law and their visible acts of piety. However, Jesus had some strong words for them.
Hypocrisy in Religion
Jesus often criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. In Matthew 23:27-28, He said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Jesus pointed out that while the Pharisees appeared religious on the outside, their hearts were far from God. They followed the rules but missed the point of love and mercy. This teaches us that being religious isn’t just about outward appearances but about the condition of our hearts.
The Danger of Pride
Another issue Jesus addressed with religious people is pride. In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee proudly boasts about his fasting and tithing, while the tax collector humbly asks for God’s mercy. Jesus concludes, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Pride can be a significant stumbling block for religious people. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our actions make us righteous. Jesus teaches that humility and recognizing our need for God’s grace are far more important.
True Religion: Love and Mercy
So, what does true religion look like according to Jesus? He emphasizes love and mercy over ritualistic practices.
The Greatest Commandment
In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus sums up the entire law with two commandments: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
For Jesus, the essence of religion isn’t about following a set of rules but about love—loving God and loving others. This love is the true measure of a religious life.
Mercy Over Sacrifice
Jesus also teaches that mercy is more important than sacrifice. In Matthew 9:13, He says, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Religious acts, like sacrifices, are meaningless if they’re not accompanied by mercy and compassion. Jesus calls us to focus on kindness, forgiveness, and helping those in need.
The Heart of Worship
Jesus’ teachings challenge us to look beyond religious rituals and focus on the heart of worship.
Worship in Spirit and Truth
In John 4:23-24, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
True worship isn’t about where or how you worship but about worshiping God with a sincere heart and in truth. It’s a call to authenticity in our relationship with God.
Beware of Empty Rituals
Jesus warns against empty rituals that don’t reflect a genuine faith. In Mark 7:6-7, He quotes Isaiah, saying, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”
It’s easy to fall into the habit of going through the motions of religion without engaging our hearts. Jesus calls us to a deeper, more meaningful connection with God.
The Example of Jesus
Jesus didn’t just teach about true religion; He lived it. His life is the perfect example of what it means to follow God genuinely.
Compassion and Healing
Jesus showed compassion to the marginalized and healed the sick, regardless of their social status or religious background. In Matthew 9:36, it’s written, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
His compassion wasn’t limited to those who followed religious laws but extended to everyone in need. This demonstrates that true religion is inclusive and caring.
Serving Others
Jesus also emphasized serving others. In Matthew 20:28, He says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Service is a core component of true religion. It’s not about being served or seeking honor but about humbly serving others and putting their needs above our own.
Conclusion
Jesus’ teachings about religious people reveal a profound truth: true religion isn’t about outward appearances, strict rule-following, or prideful displays of piety. It’s about love, mercy, humility, and genuine worship. He challenges us to look beyond rituals and focus on the heart of our faith—our relationship with God and our love for others.
By following Jesus’ example of compassion and service, we can live out a religion that’s authentic, meaningful, and transformative. So, let’s strive to worship in spirit and truth, showing love and mercy in all we do.
FAQs: What Does Jesus Say About Religious People?
1. What is the main message Jesus conveys about religious people?
Jesus emphasizes that true religion is about the condition of
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the heart rather than outward appearances. He teaches that love, mercy, and humility are more important than strict adherence to rules and rituals.
2. How did Jesus view the Pharisees?
Jesus often criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and pride. Although they were outwardly religious, Jesus pointed out that their hearts were far from God and that they lacked genuine love and mercy.
3. What are the greatest commandments according to Jesus?
In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. These commandments sum up the essence of true religion.
4. Why did Jesus say, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”?
Jesus highlighted the importance of mercy over ritual sacrifices in Matthew 9:13. He emphasized that acts of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion are more valuable than merely performing religious rituals.
5. What does Jesus mean by worshiping in “spirit and truth”?
In John 4:23-24, Jesus explains that true worshipers worship God with a sincere heart and in truth, beyond just outward rituals. It’s about an authentic and genuine relationship with God.
6. What warning does Jesus give about empty rituals?
Jesus warns that rituals without a genuine heart are meaningless. In Mark 7:6-7, He criticizes those who honor God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him, emphasizing the need for sincere faith.
7. How did Jesus demonstrate true religion through His actions?
Jesus showed compassion, healed the sick, and served others selflessly. His life exemplified love, mercy, and humility, teaching us that true religion involves caring for others and serving them.
8. What is the significance of humility in Jesus’ teachings?
Humility is crucial in Jesus’ teachings. He illustrates its importance in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14), where the humble tax collector is justified before God over the proud Pharisee.
9. How can we apply Jesus’ teachings about religious people in our lives?
We can focus on developing a sincere relationship with God, showing love and mercy to others, and practicing humility. This involves going beyond mere rituals and living out our faith through compassionate actions and genuine worship.
10. What is the difference between outward religiosity and true religion according to Jesus?
Outward religiosity involves visible acts and strict adherence to rules, often driven by pride. True religion, as taught by Jesus, is characterized by love for God and others, mercy, humility, and an authentic heart of worship.
