MATTHEW 12:1-14; MARK 2:23-3:6; LUKE 6:1-11

The scribes copied the holy scriptures. They preserved in writing the oral law, and handed down the Hebrew scriptures.

In New Testament times, they were students, interpreters, and teachers of the Old Testament. They were to teach the law, develop it, and use it in any connection with the Sanhedrin and various local courts. They were ambitious for honor, which they demanded, especially from their pupils, as well as from the general public. It was readily granted to them (Matthew 23:5-11).

Ezra was a scribe during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, and he was a very godly man. The office of a scribe was a worthy one, but the scribes of Jesus' day were often rebuked by Him for having gone beyond the job of copying out the scriptures. They had a large amount of interpretations that they had added based on traditions, and had made "the word of God of none effect" (Mark 7:13).

The scribes became an independent group of interpreters of the law and leaders of the people. Even they, themselves, wanted to avoid many of their own precepts, but enforced them on everyone else. (Matthew 23:2-4). They clashed with Jesus because He taught with authority and condemned the external formalism that they promoted (Matthew 7:28-29). They persecuted Peter and John (Acts 4:3-7) and had a part in Stephen's stoning (Acts 6:12) Even though  most of them opposed Jesus, some did believe (Matthew 21:15).

Later Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the scribes by dealing with issues of the heart. They appeared to be holy outwardly, but their hearts were far from God. It is important for us to keep our hearts tender and receptive to His Word, and give ourselves to Him in worship.

Think about the good things He has done and be thankful!