Who the Pharisees were
The Pharisees were a very ancient sect, or body of men, among the Jews, originally so called from the Hebrew word which means to separate or divide. Not that they made any formal separation from, or division in, the national church. They were only distinguished from others by greater strictness of life, by more exactness of conduct. For they were zealous for the law in the smallest points, paying tithes of mint, anise, and cumin (Matthew 23:23). And hence they were held in honor by all the people, and generally esteemed the holiest of men.
1771 text
2. The Pharisees were a very antient sect, or body of men, among the Jews: originally so called from the Hebrew word פרש, which signifies, to separate or divide. Not that they made any formal separation from, or division in the national church. They were only distinguished from others, by greater strictness of life, by more exactness of conversation. For they were zealous of the law in the minutest points; paying tithes of mint, anise and cummin. And hence they were had in honour of all the people, and generally esteemed the holiest of men.