Sort of agree. i do not accept your contention that early scribal NT translators impuned all Pharisees, it is merely that most of the discourses were with Pharisees, it does tend to show an out of balance perspective if the reader is not aware of the history of the times.
For your own consumption however, i submit this little tidbit to you for consideration.
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,2) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.
Note that it was technically the Saducees who sat in Moses' seat...they controled the priesthood and the government. While the Pharisees are being slapped on the wrist, the REAL insult is to the Saducees. Interesting, no?
Very interesting. I know that Sadducees dominated the government, sanhedrin, etc., but did they the priesthood as well? Was Ciaphas a Sadducee?