What did the Jewish religious leaders in Romans 2 know, and why were they accountable?

Les explains that Paul is addressing the self-righteous Pharisees and religious leaders of Israel, who were proud of their religious status. From verse 18, they knew God's will, approved things that are more excellent, and were instructed out of the Mosaic law. They were confident as guides of the blind, lights to those in darkness, instructors of the foolish, and teachers of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. But verse 21 presses them: those who teach another must also teach themselves; those who preach against stealing must not steal. Les points out that Israel's priests were known for stealing from widows and the disenchanted, the underprivileged. Jesus overturned the money changers' tables because it was not legitimate business; they charged ten prices for necessary sacrificial animals the poor could not barter for and had to buy at the temple, taking advantage of them. Paul alludes to the same hypocrisy: these self-righteous religious leaders had pomp, but underneath they would do anything they could get away with.