In the days of Christ the Pharisees were continually trying to earn the favor of Heaven in order to secure the worldly honor and prosperity which they regarded as the reward of virtue. At the same time they paraded their acts of charity before the people in order to attract their attention and gain a reputation for sanctity. 80

I Kristi dage forsøgte farisæere til stadighed at fortjene Guds velbehag for derved at sikre sig den timelige ære og fremgang, som de anså for at være dydens belønning. Samtidig stillede de deres godgørenhed til skue for menneskene for at vække opmærksomhed og vinde anseelse for hellighed.