The Disputing of the Pharisees

The Pharisees (2:24; 3:6; 7:1, 5), along with the "scribes" (2:6; 3:22; 7:1, 5) and the "scribes of the Pharisees" (2:16), have consistently appeared in an adversarial role to this point in Mark's narrative. Their appearances have exclusively involved either issues surrounding the Law or the questions of Jesus' authority. Issues surrounding the Law have had to do specifically with purity issues and sabbath practices like eating with sinners, reaping on the sabbath, healing on the sabbath, and eating with defiled hands. They have questioned the authority by which Jesus ministers, forgives sins, and casts out demons. Here we have to do with the authority, the need for Jesus to authenticate himself.