RELIGIOUS & POLITICAL GROUPS: THE SCRIBES

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) People are asking about the religious and political parties that existed in Israel during the days of Jesus' ministry, about 2000 years ago. To help you understand what these parties stood for, and how they affected Christ and Israel, a short description on each of the major parties is given below.

1. The Scribes

a) Text reference: Matthew 7:29; Mark 2:6, 16

i) ²⁹ for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:29 NKJV)

ii) ⁶ And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their NKJV)

iii) ¹⁶ And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mark 2:16 NKJV)

b) Description

i) Professional interpreters of the law - who especially emphasized the traditions.

ii) Many scribes were Pharisees.

c) Agreement with Jesus

i) Respect for the law.

ii) Committed to obeying God.

d) Disagreement with Jesus

i) Denied Jesus' authority to reinterpret the law.

ii) Rejected Jesus as Messiah because he did not obey all of their traditions.

The End ...