Woes on the Pharisees
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not believe on Jesus, when His teachings were so plain and simple.
They themselves knew not what course to take. With eager anxiety
they watched the movements of those whose counsel they had always
followed.
In the parables which Christ had spoken, it was His purpose both
to warn the rulers and to instruct the people who were willing to be
taught. But there was need to speak yet more plainly. Through their
reverence for tradition and their blind faith in a corrupt priesthood, the
people were enslaved. These chains Christ must break. The character
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of the priests, rulers, and Pharisees must be more fully exposed.
“The scribes and the Pharisees,” He said, “sit in Moses’ seat: all
therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but
do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” The scribes and
Pharisees claimed to be invested with divine authority similar to that
of Moses. They assumed to take his place as expounders of the law
and judges of the people. As such they claimed from the people the
utmost deference and obedience. Jesus bade His hearers do that which
the rabbis taught according to the law, but not to follow their example.
They themselves did not practice their own teaching.
And they taught much that was contrary to the Scriptures. Jesus
said, “They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them
on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one
of their fingers.” The Pharisees enjoined a multitude of regulations,
having their foundation in tradition, and unreasonably restricting per-
sonal liberty. And certain portions of the law they so explained as to
impose upon the people observances which they themselves secretly
ignored, and from which, when it served their purpose, they actually
claimed exemption.
To make a show of their piety was their constant aim. Nothing was
held too sacred to serve this end. To Moses God had said concerning
His commandments, “Thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand,
and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.”
Deuteronomy 6:8
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These words have a deep meaning. As the word of God is meditated
upon and practiced, the whole man will be ennobled. In righteous
and merciful dealing, the hands will reveal, as a signet, the principles
of God’s law. They will be kept clean from bribes, and from all that
is corrupt and deceptive. They will be active in works of love and
compassion. The eyes, directed toward a noble purpose, will be clear