I think that might be because when Jesus said "Beware of the Pharisees", it appears to be a blanket statement. If He had said," Beware of some of the Pharisees", that confusion would not exist.
During the earthly ministry of Christ, Nicodemus is one Pharisee that appears to have believed upon him, but those Pharisees who did believe seem to have done so discreetly. In Acts we read about Pharisees who had come to believe upon the Lord, but these are associated with the Judaizers that attempted to make the believers become circumcised and keep all the Torah laws.
We should note, however, that the question of the justifiable cause of adultery put to Jesus was a question that was at the center of a controversial question of the house of Shammai and the house of Hillel. Jesus answered this one on the side of the house of Hillel.
Some relevant passages to consider about believing Pharisees:
Acts 15:5
(5) But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
John 7:48-53
(48) Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
(49) But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
(50) Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
(51) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
(52) They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
(53) And every man went unto his own house.
John 12:42-43
(42) Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
(43) For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Peace be with you.
David Miller.
---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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