This book has been written to serve as a companion to studies of the Pharisees, and in particular to discussions of the Pharisees as they occur in the New Testament. It consists of an Introduction, an additional note on the controversies between the Pharisees (and others) and the Sadducees, and a translation of original source material bearing on the discussions.

The main part of the book consists of the translations, from both Greek and Semitic sources (though not from Bible or apocrypha which are more easily available). Obviously, not all the passages of possible relevance could be included, since that would have required at least another volume; but an attempt has been made to include the passages which are indispensable for an understanding of the Pharisees, and which occur frequently in discussion. It must, however, be borne in mind that the passages necessarily occur out of context, and may require the context for their full understanding.

The translations have been grouped in nine separate sections (see the list of Contents). Throughout the book, references without further specification of a particular work are to the translations, by section and number within the section (for example, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc. refer to the section of translations from Josephus).

The book is deliberately intended to be introductory: to understand the Pharisees is not easy, and the purpose of this book is to offer some initial bearings in very difficult country.