David Bivin has written an excellent apologia on behalf of the Pharisees of the New Testament, perhaps the most maligned religious group in all of Scripture:

Who was it that warned Jesus about Herod’s intention to kill him? Answer: the Pharisees (Luke 13:31).

Who was it that saved the lives of Jesus’ disciples by urging tolerance in the Sanhedrin when Peter and the other apostles were brought before it (Acts 5:33-39)? Answer: a Pharisee name Gamaliel, none other than Rabban Gamaliel the Elder.

Who was it that sided with Paul against the Sadducees in the Sanhedrin, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”(Acts 23:6-9)? Answer: the Sanhedrin’s Pharisees.

People need to remember that we often have our nastiest fights with family members. Jesus was no exception.

(H/T: Mark Goodacre)