fostered self-righteousness (Romans 10:3–4) mixed with overt contempt toward anyone who didn’t measure up in their eyes (Luke 18:9). But the Pharisees were also hypocritical. They fastened their hopes chiefly on external and relatively insignificant features of the Law, apparently thinking that the more they stressed the fine points of the Law, the more spiritual they appeared to the people. That’s also why they were obsessed with the ceremonial requirements of the Law. They valued the public display