A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

d. For their placing conformity to ritual over love for people, Matt. 15.1-14 (Matt. 15.12-14 – Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” [13] He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. [14] Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”)

e. Ascribed the works of Jesus in deliverance to Satan

(1) Matt. 9.34 – But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

(2) Matt. 12.24 – But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”

7. Reserved his most pronounced teaching against them, Matt. 23.1-33

a. Called them serpents, a generation of vipers, Matt. 23.33

b. Called them hypocrites and blind guides, compared them to white sepulchers, cf. Matt. 23.27

c. Associated them with those who earlier killed and tortured the prophets of old, Matt. 23.29-33