I find many similiarities between the Pharisees and Witnesses today........
both used disfellowshipping as a weapon (John 12: 42........"because of the Pharisees they would not confess
him, in order not to be expelled from the synagogue")
both add endless rules, yet forget about the important ones, such as love, etc. (Matt. 23: 23......."disregarded
the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness.")
both used every opportunity to emphasize their position over the people.......(ex. ......we can no longer have
a watchtower study without several mentions of the "faithful and discreet slave")
There are probably many more similiarities, but thinking about it, many Witnesses would have made excellent Pharisees
back in Jesus' days on earth.