In the New Testament, Pharisees are seen as people who place the letter of the law above the spirit (Mark , ). Thus, "Pharisee" has entered the language as a pejorative for one who does so; the Oxford English Dictionary defines 'Pharisee' with one of the meanings as "A person of the spirit or character commonly attributed to the Pharisees in the New Testament; a legalist or formalist".
In the New Testament, Pharisees are portrayed as valuing the letter of the law over its spirit (Mark , ). Consequently, "Pharisee" has come to denote someone who adheres strictly to these principles; the Oxford English Dictionary defines 'Pharisee' with one meaning as "A person embodying the moral and religious characteristics attributed to Pharisees in the New Testament; a legalist or formalist".