You Hypocrites - Matthew 15:7

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor your father and mother: and, He that curses father or mother, let him die the death. But you say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever you might be profited by me. And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition”, and in chapter fifteen and verse seven of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus called the Scribes and Pharisees, “you hypocrites” where we read:

You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

The verse reads, “You hypocrites, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “you hypocrites” which is the Greek word “hypokritēs” and means “an actor, stage player, dissembler or pretender”. Matthew shared how Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees “actors and pretenders” in their relationship with God.

The verse continues, “... well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,” Matthew added the words, “well did Isaiah” which means “how beautifully, nobly and commendably Isaiah the prophet” “prophesy” which means “did speak forth by divine inspirations and predict” “of you” or “pertaining to the scribes and Pharisees”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”. Matthew shared how Isaiah the prophet “predicted” the behavior of the scribes and Pharisees.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how there was no surprise to Jesus concerning the attitude and behavior of the “scribes and Pharisees”. Isaiah the prophet long ago “prophesied” they would be this way, and Jesus simply pointed out their fulfillment of his words. God desires a loving personal relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and when they come humble and authentically before Him for “salvation” of their souls and forgiveness of their sins, He is more than ready to supply them with everything they shall ever need.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus calls the Scribes and Pharisees, “these people draw near to me with their mouth … but their heart is far from me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.