by Gary L. Evans
Transgression by the Traditions of Hypocrites
Mat 15:1-2 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.
The religious elite had made up a law that people should wash their hands ceremonially before eating, not to wash off dirt but just a religious ritual. But our Lord’s disciples did not practice that ritual, which was not a sin since such practice was not required in God’s Law.
Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
So it is a sin to add anything to God’s Law or remove any precept from it. Any so-called preacher or religious organization that does so is guilty of a capital crime for doing that, because it will in turn lead the people astray. The Lord calls them, “False Prophets.”
Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Jesus confronted them by asking why they transgressed God’s Commandment (which is real sin) by their man-made traditions.
Mat 15:4-5 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;
The word “gift” is “doron” in the Greek, which means “sacrifice.”
So the scribes and Pharisees were teaching that if a son or daughter gave their money or wealth to the church (or temple), then they were no longer bound to help out their parents.
Mat 15:6 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.
God’s Commandment was, “Honor your father and mother,” which is in every way, not only by showing respect when speaking to them and by obeying their teaching and wishes, but also in how we take care of them if ever they are in need.
But the greedy preachers and teachers that lorded over the people in Jerusalem had overturned God’s Commandment so that they could collect more of the people’s money, including that of their children.
Mat 15:7-8 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.
The religious elite looked pious on the outside, wearing all the religious garb of that day, and their words spoken publicly for others to hear sounded like what a believer might say about God, but inside they had no real sincerity or devotion to our Father.
Jesus declared that they were just a bunch of “hypocrites,” which is from “hoop-ok-ree-tace'” meaning “an actor under an assumed character (stage player).” They were just stage play actors like in the Greek theater.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Jesus declared that their so-called worship of God was surface and empty. And instead of The Truth of God’s Word, they taught philosophies and ridiculous rules invented by men.
Isa 29:9-10 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
The Lord says that the people are drunken, not with wine or strong drink, but like in a stupor, a spirit of deep sleep. Their true preachers and leaders and wise men are hidden from them.
Isa 29:11-12 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
The Word of God has become unto them as a Sealed Book. They give it to an educated religious scholar and ask for him to explain it, and he says, “I can’t because the book is sealed.” Then they give it to an uneducated man and ask for him to explain it, and he says, “I can’t because I haven’t been to seminary.”
Isa 29:13-14 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Why has this spirit of sleep fallen upon the people? Because they are just a bunch of self-righteous hypocrites. They don’t listen to God’s Word, but instead prefer to hear the empty headed great swelling speeches of men, most of whom are just deceitful con artists willing to tell the people anything that tickles their ears and makes them feel good. So the true teachers, those with God given wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are banned from their congregations. And these foolish people suffer this dilemma as a MIRACULOUS SIGN for the whole world to behold.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.