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Rebukes of the Scribes and Pharisees

The article examines the confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees, in which Jesus criticizes the priority given to traditions over divine laws. In Matthew 15.1-9 and Mark 7.1-13, Jesus exposes Pharisaic hypocrisy by stressing the obligation of sincerity and spiritual authenticity.

8 min Jesus Pharisees tradition hypocrisy commandments 7 verses 3 books

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Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 15.1-9 (King James Version)

Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark 7.1-13 (King James Version)

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Luke

Luke (King James Version) not cited in the book

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: Galilee

Date: June AD 32, Passover was on Monday, April 12, AD 32

Method: We now follow Mark

Note on the method: Mark takes up Matthew’s words

Jesus the Messiah is about to rebuke the scribes and the vehemently.

Rebukes of the Scribes and Pharisees

Analysis of Matthew 15.1-9

The accounts of Matthew and Mark explicitly relate the accusations made by Jesus the Messiah against the scribes and who were present.

These men seemed to have come from Jerusalem to assess the influence of Jesus the Messiah on the people. The ministry of Jesus the Messiah was causing concern because of its unforeseen expansion. The Synoptic Gospels, and John above all, indicate that the were watching Jesus the Messiah in order to prepare a joint opposition with the and the Herodians.

Jesus the Messiah appears here in a direct manner, for he sets out the facts without embellishment. This bluntness is due to the consequences of these incorrect interpretations of the law for the people.

It is essential that the Master recall the reality and the fundamental principles of the law. But let us go back over these two passages.

The passages of Matthew 15.1-9 and Mark 7.1-13 are two parallel accounts that relate a confrontation between Jesus the Messiah and the over Jewish traditions, in particular the ritual washing of hands before meals. Here is a detailed explanation and comparison of the two texts:

Analysis of Matthew 15.1-9

In this passage, and scribes from Jerusalem question Jesus the Messiah about his disciples’ failure to observe the tradition of washing hands. Jesus answers them by denouncing their hypocrisy and showing how their human traditions sometimes contradict the commandments of God. He takes the example of the commandment to honor one’s father and mother, which some evade by declaring their possessions “corban” (devoted to God), which exempts them from supporting their parents. He quotes Isaiah 29.13 to stress that these religious leaders honor God with their lips but that their heart is far from Him.

Analysis of Mark 7.1-13

The passage of Mark follows a similar structure but gives additional details about Pharisaic practices and the tradition of the elders. It insists more on the rites of purification and describes various customs, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and dishes. Jesus the Messiah responds in a similar way, denouncing how human tradition has diverted the commandment to honor one’s parents. He highlights the contrast between ritual observance and obedience to true divine principles.

Comparison of the two texts

Recipients and context :

Matthew is generally more oriented toward a Jewish audience, which explains the emphasis on the quotation from Isaiah and the opposition between the law of God and Pharisaic traditions.

Mark, written for a broader audience (probably non-Jews or Greeks), offers more detailed explanations of Jewish traditions.

Style and emphasis :

Matthew places greater emphasis on the hypocrisy of the and their distance from God.

Mark is more descriptive of the ritual practices and sets out the customs concerned in greater detail.

Central theme :

Both texts denounce the tendency to favor human rules at the expense of divine commandments.

They bring forward the need to seek a true relationship with God beyond outward rites.

These two passages illustrate a fundamental conflict in the ministry of Jesus: the opposition between Pharisaic law and the true spirit of the divine law. His criticism of the underscores the need for sincerity and authenticity in our relationship with God.

We observe in these accounts that Matthew is more severe and moralistic, whereas Mark is more explanatory and pedagogical. Both texts nevertheless denounce the excessive importance given to human traditions at the expense of divine commandments. We note that the authors adapt their writing to their intended audience.

Reproches aux scribes et aux Pharisiens. L'article examine la confrontation entre Jésus et les pharisiens, où Jésus critique la priorité accordée aux traditions sur les lois divines. Dans Matthieu 15.1-9 et Marc 7.1-13, Jésus expose l'hypocrisie pharisienne en soulignant l'obligation de la sincérité et de l'authenticité spirituelle. Analyse de Matthieu 15.1-9. Les récits de Matthieu et de Marc relatent explicitement les accusations formulées par le Messie Jésus à l'encontre des scribes et pharisiens présents. Ces hommes semblaient venir de Jérusalem pour évaluer l'influence du Messie Jésus sur la population. Le ministère du Messie Jésus suscitait des préoccupations en raison de son expansion imprévue. Les synoptiques et surtout Jean indiquent que les pharisiens observaient le Messie Jésus afin de préparer une opposition conjointe avec les sadducéens et les hérodiens. Le Messie Jésus apparaît ici de manière directe, car il expose les faits sans embellissement. Cette brutalité est due aux conséquences de ces interprétations incorrectes de la loi sur la population. Il est essentiel que le Maître rappelle la réalité et les principes fondamentaux de la loi. Mais reprenons ces deux passages. Les passages de Matthieu 15, versets 1 à 9 et Marc 7, versets 1 à 13 sont deux récits parallèles qui relatent une confrontation entre le Messie Jésus et les pharisiens au sujet des traditions juives, en particulier le lavage rituel des mains avant les repas. Voici une explication et une comparaison détaillées des deux textes : Analyse de Matthieu 15, versets 1 à 9 Dans ce passage, des pharisiens et des scribes venus de Jérusalem interrogent le Messie Jésus sur le non-respect de la tradition du lavage des mains par ses disciples. Jésus leur répond en dénonçant leur hypocrisie et en montrant comment leurs traditions humaines viennent parfois contredire les commandements divins. Il prend l'exemple du commandement d'honorer son père et sa mère, que certains contournent en déclarant leurs biens « corban » (dévoués à Dieu), ce qui les dispense de soutenir leurs parents. Il cite Esaïe 29, verset 13 pour souligner que ces chefs religieux honorent Dieu avec leurs lèvres mais que leur cœur est éloigné de Lui. Analyse de Marc 7, versets 1 à 13 Le passage de Marc suit une structure similaire mais apporte des précisions supplémentaires sur les pratiques pharisiennes et la tradition des anciens. Il insiste davantage sur les rites de purification et détaille différentes coutumes comme le lavage des coupes, des cruches et des plats. Le Messie Jésus répond de manière analogue en dénonçant le détournement du commandement d'honorer ses parents par la tradition humaine. Il met en lumière le contraste entre l'observance rituelle et l'obéissance aux véritables principes divins. Comparaison entre les deux textes Destinataires et contexte : Matthieu est généralement plus orienté vers un public juif, ce qui explique l'accent mis sur la citation d'Ésaïe et l'opposition entre la loi de Dieu et les traditions pharisiennes. Marc, destiné à un public plus large (probablement des non-juifs ou des Grecs), offre des explications plus détaillées sur les traditions juives. Style et emphase : Matthieu met davantage l'accent sur l'hypocrisie des pharisiens et leur éloignement de Dieu. Marc est plus descriptif quant aux pratiques rituelles et expose davantage les coutumes concernées. Thème central : Les deux textes dénoncent la tendance à privilégier les règles humaines au détriment des commandements divins. Ils mettent en avant la nécessité de rechercher une véritable relation avec Dieu au-delà des rites extérieurs. Ces deux passages illustrent un conflit fondamental dans le ministère de Jésus : l'opposition entre la loi pharisienne et l'esprit véritable de la loi divine. La critique qu'il adresse aux pharisiens souligne le besoin de sincérité et d'authenticité dans la relation avec Dieu. Nous observons dans ces récits que Matthieu est plus sévère et moraliste, tandis que Marc est plus explicatif et pédagogique. Les deux textes dénoncent cependant l’importance excessive des traditions humaines au détriment des commandements divins. Nous constatons que les auteurs adaptent leur rédaction en fonction du public ciblé.