- May 12, 2024
- 79
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- United States
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- Messianic
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Jesus (Yeshua) said to his followers, "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter
the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). According to traditional interpretations, those Jesus referred to as "scribes and Pharisees"
represented the holiest of Jews. But was it really so?
First, some scribes were known for making alterations to the texts. In the book of Revelation, Jesus even issued a warning to
future scribes, who would copy the text, to preserve the original words accurately: "If anyone adds to them...and if anyone takes
away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of Life" (Rev. 22: 18-19). Even though
people did not view scribes in the same negative light as tax collectors, for example, they may have seemed like a righteous elite
that did not actually have a high level of righteous living.
Second, at least some did not consider Pharisees to be counted among the most righteous of Jews. This view was most notably
expressed by the Essenes, a contemporary Jewish sect whose writings were partly preserved in the Dead Sea Scrolls collection.
The Essenes believed that the Pharisees had essentially "sold" Jerusalem to the Greeks and had conspired with God's enemies,
compromising the holiness of the Temple. To emphasize their views, they referred to the Pharisees as "the seekers of smooth things",
as opposed to the preferred name for themselves --- "the seekers of the paths [of God]." In short, these Jews (Essenes) did not
have a high estimation of Pharisaic righteousness (see Dead Sea Scroll text 4Q169).
In the light of these examples, we should conclude that Jesus' words should be taken literally ---the level of righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees was indeed not enough to enter God's Kingdom. God requires much more!
Shalom
the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). According to traditional interpretations, those Jesus referred to as "scribes and Pharisees"
represented the holiest of Jews. But was it really so?
First, some scribes were known for making alterations to the texts. In the book of Revelation, Jesus even issued a warning to
future scribes, who would copy the text, to preserve the original words accurately: "If anyone adds to them...and if anyone takes
away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of Life" (Rev. 22: 18-19). Even though
people did not view scribes in the same negative light as tax collectors, for example, they may have seemed like a righteous elite
that did not actually have a high level of righteous living.
Second, at least some did not consider Pharisees to be counted among the most righteous of Jews. This view was most notably
expressed by the Essenes, a contemporary Jewish sect whose writings were partly preserved in the Dead Sea Scrolls collection.
The Essenes believed that the Pharisees had essentially "sold" Jerusalem to the Greeks and had conspired with God's enemies,
compromising the holiness of the Temple. To emphasize their views, they referred to the Pharisees as "the seekers of smooth things",
as opposed to the preferred name for themselves --- "the seekers of the paths [of God]." In short, these Jews (Essenes) did not
have a high estimation of Pharisaic righteousness (see Dead Sea Scroll text 4Q169).
In the light of these examples, we should conclude that Jesus' words should be taken literally ---the level of righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees was indeed not enough to enter God's Kingdom. God requires much more!
Shalom
