Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Ecclesiasticism » Traditional rules of the jewish
Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They questioned him: Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed hands. His answer to them was in the form of a question: Why do you go against the word of God in favor of your tradition? read more.
God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.
God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.
They saw that some of his disciples ate their bread with unwashed defiled hands. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat until they wash their hands. They practice the tradition of the elders.) When they come from the marketplace they wash themselves before they eat. They follow many other rules. They wash their cups, and brass pots, and other vessels. read more.
The Pharisees and the scribes asked: Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders. Instead they eat their bread with defiled hands? He told them: Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites. It is written: 'This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain teaching as doctrines the commands of men.' Speaking to the Pharisees and scribes He said: You abandon the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. You totally reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition. Moses said: 'Honor your father and your mother. He also said: 'He that speaks evil of father or mother must die.' But you say: 'If a man says to his father or his mother that which would benefit you is a gift to God, he no longer has to do anything for his father or mother.' You make the word of God invalid by your tradition. He called the crowd again and said: Listen and understand! Nothing that goes into a person from the outside can make him unclean. That which comes from inside of a man can make him unclean. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. When he entered the house away from the crowd his disciples asked him to explain. He replied: Do you not understand? Do you not know that which goes into the man from the outside cannot defile him? It is because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach and is eliminated? All foods are clean. That which comes out of the man defiles the man. It is from the heart that evil thoughts come such as: fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, coveting, wickedness, deceit, loose conduct, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man.
The Pharisees and the scribes asked: Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders. Instead they eat their bread with defiled hands? He told them: Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites. It is written: 'This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain teaching as doctrines the commands of men.' Speaking to the Pharisees and scribes He said: You abandon the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. You totally reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition. Moses said: 'Honor your father and your mother. He also said: 'He that speaks evil of father or mother must die.' But you say: 'If a man says to his father or his mother that which would benefit you is a gift to God, he no longer has to do anything for his father or mother.' You make the word of God invalid by your tradition. He called the crowd again and said: Listen and understand! Nothing that goes into a person from the outside can make him unclean. That which comes from inside of a man can make him unclean. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. When he entered the house away from the crowd his disciples asked him to explain. He replied: Do you not understand? Do you not know that which goes into the man from the outside cannot defile him? It is because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach and is eliminated? All foods are clean. That which comes out of the man defiles the man. It is from the heart that evil thoughts come such as: fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, coveting, wickedness, deceit, loose conduct, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man.
Estrangement » From God » General references to
They are darkened (blinded) (obscured) in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart.
Verse Concepts
Spiritual DeathDarkness, As A Symbol Of SinFall Of Man, Consequences OfCommunicationGod, Revelation OfHardness Of HeartHeart, Fallen And RedeemedLonelinessReconciliation, Of The World To GodSalvation, Necessity And Basis OfStubbornness, Consequences OfUnbelief, Nature And Effects OfVeilsApathyCharacter Of WickedNations DescribedIgnorance Towards God, Leads ToInsensibilityEstrangement
The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born. They speak lies.
You were separate from Christ at that time, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel. You were strangers from the covenants of the promise. You had no hope and were without God in the world.
Jehovah says: What bad thing (injustice) did your fathers find in me that they went so far away from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless (lead astray) themselves.
I will do this to recapture the hearts of the nation of Israel. They have deserted me because of their disgusting idols.'
But the Levites, who went far from me when Israel went astray, who went astray from me after their idols, will bear the punishment for their iniquity.
These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me.
Formalism » Warnings against
having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Stay away from people like this!
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone.
If you died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances:
These people praise me with their words, said Jehovah, but they never draw near to me in their hearts (deepest thoughts). Their reverence for me comes from the repetitious tradition of men.
They seek me day by day. They delight to know my ways like a nation that has done righteousness and has not forsaken the ordinance of their God. They ask me for justice and delight. They are pleased that God is near.
These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me.
Do not bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me! So are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I cannot endure your evil assemblies!
You observe days and months, seasons and years. I fear for you, that I have labored for you to no purpose (and failed).
Government » Mosaic » Legislates in later times
They questioned him: Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed hands.
You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.'
The Pharisees and some of the scribes came from Jerusalem to gather around Jesus. They saw that some of his disciples ate their bread with unwashed defiled hands. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat until they wash their hands. They practice the tradition of the elders.)
character of the unrenewed Heart » Far from God
These people praise me with their words, said Jehovah, but they never draw near to me in their hearts (deepest thoughts). Their reverence for me comes from the repetitious tradition of men.
These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me.
Hypocrites » Described as » Using but lip-worship
These people praise me with their words, said Jehovah, but they never draw near to me in their hearts (deepest thoughts). Their reverence for me comes from the repetitious tradition of men.
These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me.
Jesus Christ » History of » He justifies his disciples in eating without washing their hands (at capernaum)
Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They questioned him: Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed hands. His answer to them was in the form of a question: Why do you go against the word of God in favor of your tradition? read more.
God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.
God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.
The Pharisees and some of the scribes came from Jerusalem to gather around Jesus. They saw that some of his disciples ate their bread with unwashed defiled hands. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat until they wash their hands. They practice the tradition of the elders.) read more.
When they come from the marketplace they wash themselves before they eat. They follow many other rules. They wash their cups, and brass pots, and other vessels. The Pharisees and the scribes asked: Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders. Instead they eat their bread with defiled hands? He told them: Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites. It is written: 'This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain teaching as doctrines the commands of men.' Speaking to the Pharisees and scribes He said: You abandon the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. You totally reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition. Moses said: 'Honor your father and your mother. He also said: 'He that speaks evil of father or mother must die.' But you say: 'If a man says to his father or his mother that which would benefit you is a gift to God, he no longer has to do anything for his father or mother.' You make the word of God invalid by your tradition. He called the crowd again and said: Listen and understand! Nothing that goes into a person from the outside can make him unclean. That which comes from inside of a man can make him unclean. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. When he entered the house away from the crowd his disciples asked him to explain. He replied: Do you not understand? Do you not know that which goes into the man from the outside cannot defile him? It is because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach and is eliminated? All foods are clean. That which comes out of the man defiles the man. It is from the heart that evil thoughts come such as: fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, coveting, wickedness, deceit, loose conduct, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man.
When they come from the marketplace they wash themselves before they eat. They follow many other rules. They wash their cups, and brass pots, and other vessels. The Pharisees and the scribes asked: Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders. Instead they eat their bread with defiled hands? He told them: Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites. It is written: 'This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain teaching as doctrines the commands of men.' Speaking to the Pharisees and scribes He said: You abandon the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. You totally reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition. Moses said: 'Honor your father and your mother. He also said: 'He that speaks evil of father or mother must die.' But you say: 'If a man says to his father or his mother that which would benefit you is a gift to God, he no longer has to do anything for his father or mother.' You make the word of God invalid by your tradition. He called the crowd again and said: Listen and understand! Nothing that goes into a person from the outside can make him unclean. That which comes from inside of a man can make him unclean. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. When he entered the house away from the crowd his disciples asked him to explain. He replied: Do you not understand? Do you not know that which goes into the man from the outside cannot defile him? It is because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach and is eliminated? All foods are clean. That which comes out of the man defiles the man. It is from the heart that evil thoughts come such as: fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, coveting, wickedness, deceit, loose conduct, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man.
Jews, the » National character of » Prone to formality in religion
These people praise me with their words, said Jehovah, but they never draw near to me in their hearts (deepest thoughts). Their reverence for me comes from the repetitious tradition of men.
Then they come to you, as if they are still my people, and they sit down in front of you. They listen to what you say, but they do not do it. They say that they love me, but in their hearts they chase dishonest profits.
You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.'
Pharisees » Hypocrisy of, reproved » By jesus
Thousands of people in the crowd were gathered together so much that they bumped into one another. He said to his disciples: First of all, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
When you abstain from food, do not be like the hypocrites, with sad faces to be seen by men. They have received their reward. Anoint your head and wash your face. That way, men may not see that you are fasting. Your Father knows in secret and will reward you.
Listen to another illustration. A master of a house made a vineyard, and put a wall around it. He made a wine press and built a tower. Then he rented it to workers and traveled to another country. When the time for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the workmen, to get the fruit. The workmen attacked his servants, striking one with a stone and killing the other. read more.
He sent other servants more in number than the first. They did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'Certainly they will respect my son.' When the workmen saw the son, they said, 'Let us put him to death and take his heritage, for someday he will own this property.' They took him out of the vineyard and killed him. When the lord of the vineyard returns, what will he do to the workmen? They all said: He will put those cruel men to death. Then he will find other workmen who are worthy and who will give him fruit when it is ready. Jesus said to them: Have you read the Scriptures, 'The stone the builders rejected has been made the chief cornerstone of the building. This was Jehovah's doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes.' (Isaiah 28:16) For this reason I tell you, The kingdom of God will be taken away from you. It will be given to a nation producing fruit. Any man falling on this stone will be broken. Any man having this stone fall on him will be crushed to dust. When the chief priests and Pharisees heard his illustrations they realized he was talking about them. They wanted to seize him, but feared the people, because the people saw Jesus as a prophet.
He sent other servants more in number than the first. They did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'Certainly they will respect my son.' When the workmen saw the son, they said, 'Let us put him to death and take his heritage, for someday he will own this property.' They took him out of the vineyard and killed him. When the lord of the vineyard returns, what will he do to the workmen? They all said: He will put those cruel men to death. Then he will find other workmen who are worthy and who will give him fruit when it is ready. Jesus said to them: Have you read the Scriptures, 'The stone the builders rejected has been made the chief cornerstone of the building. This was Jehovah's doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes.' (Isaiah 28:16) For this reason I tell you, The kingdom of God will be taken away from you. It will be given to a nation producing fruit. Any man falling on this stone will be broken. Any man having this stone fall on him will be crushed to dust. When the chief priests and Pharisees heard his illustrations they realized he was talking about them. They wanted to seize him, but feared the people, because the people saw Jesus as a prophet.
Do not loudly announce it when you give to the poor. The hypocrites do this in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do this to be praised by men. Believe me, they have already been paid in full. When you give gifts, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Your giving will be in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. read more.
Do not pray like the hypocrites! They want everyone to see them in the houses of worship and on the street corners. I assure you they have been paid in full. Go to your room and close the door. Privately pray to your Father. When your Father sees you he will reward you. Large quantities of meaningless words and repetition are not acceptable in prayer. The pagans think their gods will hear long and repetitious prayers. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Do not pray like the hypocrites! They want everyone to see them in the houses of worship and on the street corners. I assure you they have been paid in full. Go to your room and close the door. Privately pray to your Father. When your Father sees you he will reward you. Large quantities of meaningless words and repetition are not acceptable in prayer. The pagans think their gods will hear long and repetitious prayers. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They questioned him: Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed hands. His answer to them was in the form of a question: Why do you go against the word of God in favor of your tradition? read more.
God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.'
God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.'
The Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He said to them, At nightfall you say the weather will be good, for the sky is red. And in the morning, the weather will be bad today for the sky is red and angry. You are able to see the face of heaven, but not the signs of the time. read more.
An evil and false generation is searching after a sign. However, no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. Then he left them. The disciples came from the other side of the sea. They did not think to obtain bread. Jesus said: Take care to have nothing to do with the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They reasoned among themselves, saying: We took no bread. Hearing this, Jesus said: You of little faith, why are you reasoning among yourselves about not having bread? Do you still not see or remember the five cakes of bread of the five thousand, and the number of baskets you took up? Or the seven cakes of bread of the four thousand, and the number of baskets you took up? Why do you not understand I was not talking about bread? Instead, about keeping away from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Then they realized it was not the leaven of bread he had in mind. It was the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
An evil and false generation is searching after a sign. However, no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. Then he left them. The disciples came from the other side of the sea. They did not think to obtain bread. Jesus said: Take care to have nothing to do with the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They reasoned among themselves, saying: We took no bread. Hearing this, Jesus said: You of little faith, why are you reasoning among yourselves about not having bread? Do you still not see or remember the five cakes of bread of the five thousand, and the number of baskets you took up? Or the seven cakes of bread of the four thousand, and the number of baskets you took up? Why do you not understand I was not talking about bread? Instead, about keeping away from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Then they realized it was not the leaven of bread he had in mind. It was the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, he said. Obey everything they teach you, but do not follow their example. They say one thing and do something else. They chain heavy burdens on your shoulders. Yet they are unwilling to lift even a finger to carry these same burdens. read more.
They do everything to be seen by men. For example: they enlarge their scripture cases for their foreheads and lengthen the tassels on their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the prominent seats in the synagogues. They require recognition in public places and insist on being called Rabbi by men. Do not be called Rabbi (master) (teacher) (leader), for only one is your teacher. You are all brothers. Call no man your father on the earth, for only one is your Father in heaven. Do not be called master (teacher) (leader), for only one is your master, and he is Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. He who exalts himself will be humbled. He who humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter. [Verse not found in oldest manuscripts.] Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel on both sea and land to make one convert. When this happens, you make him twice as deserving of destruction in the trash fires of the valley of Hinnom (Greek: Gehenna). Woe to you, you blind guides! You say, 'When you swear by the temple, it is nothing.' Then you say, 'When you swear by the gold of the temple, you are obligated.' You fools! You blind men! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? When you swear by an altar, you owe nothing. When you swear by the gift left on the altar, you are obligated. You blind men! What is more important, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He who swears by the altar, swears by it and everything on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him that dwells within it. Thus, he who swears by heaven also swears by the throne of God and him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone. You blind guides! You strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, yet the inside is full of extortion and excess. You are blind. Clean the inside of the cup and platter first. Then clean the outside. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful on the outside. They are full of dead men's bones and uncleanness on the inside. You appear righteous to men. However, inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous. You claim that you would not have been involved with your fathers when they spilled the blood of the prophets. You witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up the (guilt) measure of your fathers. You serpents! You offspring of vipers! How will you escape from being destroyed in the ever-burning fires of the Valley of Hinnom? (Greek: Gehenna, the trash fires in the valley just outside of Jerusalem)
They do everything to be seen by men. For example: they enlarge their scripture cases for their foreheads and lengthen the tassels on their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the prominent seats in the synagogues. They require recognition in public places and insist on being called Rabbi by men. Do not be called Rabbi (master) (teacher) (leader), for only one is your teacher. You are all brothers. Call no man your father on the earth, for only one is your Father in heaven. Do not be called master (teacher) (leader), for only one is your master, and he is Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. He who exalts himself will be humbled. He who humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter. [Verse not found in oldest manuscripts.] Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel on both sea and land to make one convert. When this happens, you make him twice as deserving of destruction in the trash fires of the valley of Hinnom (Greek: Gehenna). Woe to you, you blind guides! You say, 'When you swear by the temple, it is nothing.' Then you say, 'When you swear by the gold of the temple, you are obligated.' You fools! You blind men! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? When you swear by an altar, you owe nothing. When you swear by the gift left on the altar, you are obligated. You blind men! What is more important, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He who swears by the altar, swears by it and everything on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him that dwells within it. Thus, he who swears by heaven also swears by the throne of God and him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone. You blind guides! You strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, yet the inside is full of extortion and excess. You are blind. Clean the inside of the cup and platter first. Then clean the outside. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful on the outside. They are full of dead men's bones and uncleanness on the inside. You appear righteous to men. However, inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous. You claim that you would not have been involved with your fathers when they spilled the blood of the prophets. You witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up the (guilt) measure of your fathers. You serpents! You offspring of vipers! How will you escape from being destroyed in the ever-burning fires of the Valley of Hinnom? (Greek: Gehenna, the trash fires in the valley just outside of Jerusalem)
He cast out a demon from a dumb man. When the demon left the man he spoke and the crowds were astonished. Some of them said: Beelzebub the prince of the demons casts out demons. Others tested him demanding a sign from heaven. read more.
He knew their thoughts. So he told them: Every kingdom that is divided is destroyed. A house divided against itself falls. If Satan is divided against himself how will his kingdom stand? You say I cast out demons with the help of Beelzebub. If Beelzebub helps me cast out demons, who helps your sons cast them out? They will be your judges. If I use the finger (power) (Spirit) (Exodus 31:18) (2 Corinthians 3:3) of God to cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you? When the fully armed strong man guards his own palace, his goods are safe. When some one stronger comes to him and overpowers him he takes away his armor and steels his possessions. He who is not with me is against me. He who does not help me gather actually scatters. When an unclean spirit leaves a man it passes through desolate places. It seeks rest and finds none. It says, 'I will return from where I came.' When he returns he finds the place swept and adorned. He then takes seven other spirits more evil than himself and they enter in and dwell. The last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. As he was talking a woman out of the crowd shouted: Blessed is the woman who bore you and nursed you. He replied: More blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it. When the crowd gathered to him, he said: This generation is evil. It seeks a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites; the Son of man will be a sign to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation. She will condemn them for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon and one greater than Solomon is here now. The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation. They will condemn it for they repented at the preaching of Jonah and someone greater than Jonah is here now. No man lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a bushel. He puts it on a table so those who enter may see the light. The lamp of your body is your eye. When your eye is clear your entire body is full of light. When it is evil your body is full of darkness. Make sure the light that is in you is not darkness. If your entire body is full of light and has no darkness you will have no part of the dark. Just as a lamp when shinning brightly gives plenty of light. As he spoke a Pharisee invited him to dine with him. He accepted the invitation and went to eat. The Pharisee wondered about Jesus not bathing before dinner. The Lord said: You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter. Yet your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. You foolish ones. Did he that made the outside also make the inside? Give that which is within as charity. Then all things are clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees! You tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God. You should have done these but you leave them undone. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the prominent seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! You are as the tombs that do not appear and men walk over them and do not know it. One of the lawyers said to him: Teacher, you also insult us by saying this. Jesus said: Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to bear. And you will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Therefore you are witnesses and consent to the works of your fathers. They killed them and you build their tombs. It is for this reason the wisdom of God said, 'I send to them prophets and apostles and they will persecute and kill some of them.' The blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation. This includes the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. I tell you it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, for you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves and you hindered those entering. When he left there the scribes and the Pharisees became hostile with him. They tried to quarrel with him about many things. They plotted against him and tried to catch him in something he might say.
He knew their thoughts. So he told them: Every kingdom that is divided is destroyed. A house divided against itself falls. If Satan is divided against himself how will his kingdom stand? You say I cast out demons with the help of Beelzebub. If Beelzebub helps me cast out demons, who helps your sons cast them out? They will be your judges. If I use the finger (power) (Spirit) (Exodus 31:18) (2 Corinthians 3:3) of God to cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you? When the fully armed strong man guards his own palace, his goods are safe. When some one stronger comes to him and overpowers him he takes away his armor and steels his possessions. He who is not with me is against me. He who does not help me gather actually scatters. When an unclean spirit leaves a man it passes through desolate places. It seeks rest and finds none. It says, 'I will return from where I came.' When he returns he finds the place swept and adorned. He then takes seven other spirits more evil than himself and they enter in and dwell. The last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. As he was talking a woman out of the crowd shouted: Blessed is the woman who bore you and nursed you. He replied: More blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it. When the crowd gathered to him, he said: This generation is evil. It seeks a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites; the Son of man will be a sign to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation. She will condemn them for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon and one greater than Solomon is here now. The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation. They will condemn it for they repented at the preaching of Jonah and someone greater than Jonah is here now. No man lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a bushel. He puts it on a table so those who enter may see the light. The lamp of your body is your eye. When your eye is clear your entire body is full of light. When it is evil your body is full of darkness. Make sure the light that is in you is not darkness. If your entire body is full of light and has no darkness you will have no part of the dark. Just as a lamp when shinning brightly gives plenty of light. As he spoke a Pharisee invited him to dine with him. He accepted the invitation and went to eat. The Pharisee wondered about Jesus not bathing before dinner. The Lord said: You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter. Yet your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. You foolish ones. Did he that made the outside also make the inside? Give that which is within as charity. Then all things are clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees! You tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God. You should have done these but you leave them undone. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the prominent seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! You are as the tombs that do not appear and men walk over them and do not know it. One of the lawyers said to him: Teacher, you also insult us by saying this. Jesus said: Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to bear. And you will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Therefore you are witnesses and consent to the works of your fathers. They killed them and you build their tombs. It is for this reason the wisdom of God said, 'I send to them prophets and apostles and they will persecute and kill some of them.' The blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation. This includes the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. I tell you it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, for you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves and you hindered those entering. When he left there the scribes and the Pharisees became hostile with him. They tried to quarrel with him about many things. They plotted against him and tried to catch him in something he might say.
One day a large number of tax collectors and other outcasts came to listen to Jesus. Pharisees and teachers of the Law complained: This man welcomes sinners and even eats with them! Then Jesus told them an illustration: read more.
If you have a hundred sheep and lose one of them, what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one you lost until you find it. When you find it you are happy. You carry it on your shoulders. You bring it back home. You invite your friends and neighbors together to celebrate. You say, 'I am so happy I found my lost sheep.' It is the same. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent. Suppose a woman with ten silver coins loses one of them. What does she do? She lights a lamp and sweeps her house. She looks carefully everywhere until she finds it. When she finds it she calls her friends and says let us celebrate. I am happy I found the lost coin.
If you have a hundred sheep and lose one of them, what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one you lost until you find it. When you find it you are happy. You carry it on your shoulders. You bring it back home. You invite your friends and neighbors together to celebrate. You say, 'I am so happy I found my lost sheep.' It is the same. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent. Suppose a woman with ten silver coins loses one of them. What does she do? She lights a lamp and sweeps her house. She looks carefully everywhere until she finds it. When she finds it she calls her friends and says let us celebrate. I am happy I found the lost coin.
Pharisees » Traditions of, in regard to » The duties of children to parents
God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! read more.
You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.'
You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.'
Religion » Formalism » Warnings against
having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Stay away from people like this!
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone.
If you died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances:
These people praise me with their words, said Jehovah, but they never draw near to me in their hearts (deepest thoughts). Their reverence for me comes from the repetitious tradition of men.
They seek me day by day. They delight to know my ways like a nation that has done righteousness and has not forsaken the ordinance of their God. They ask me for justice and delight. They are pleased that God is near.
These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me.
Do not bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me! So are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I cannot endure your evil assemblies!
You observe days and months, seasons and years. I fear for you, that I have labored for you to no purpose (and failed).
Teachers » FALSE » Admonition against
Watch out for the false prophets. They are disguised as sheep. But in their hearts they are vicious wolves.
If a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder (portent) (omen) (forecast of the future), in order to lead you to worship and serve gods that you have not worshiped before, and even if what they promise comes true, do not listen to them. Jehovah your God is allowing them to test you. He will then know that you love Jehovah with all your heart.
Whoever disobeys even the least of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand whoever obeys and teaches others to obey the Law will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, he said. Obey everything they teach you, but do not follow their example. They say one thing and do something else. They chain heavy burdens on your shoulders. Yet they are unwilling to lift even a finger to carry these same burdens. read more.
They do everything to be seen by men. For example: they enlarge their scripture cases for their foreheads and lengthen the tassels on their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the prominent seats in the synagogues. They require recognition in public places and insist on being called Rabbi by men. Do not be called Rabbi (master) (teacher) (leader), for only one is your teacher. You are all brothers. Call no man your father on the earth, for only one is your Father in heaven. Do not be called master (teacher) (leader), for only one is your master, and he is Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. He who exalts himself will be humbled. He who humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter. [Verse not found in oldest manuscripts.] Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel on both sea and land to make one convert. When this happens, you make him twice as deserving of destruction in the trash fires of the valley of Hinnom (Greek: Gehenna). Woe to you, you blind guides! You say, 'When you swear by the temple, it is nothing.' Then you say, 'When you swear by the gold of the temple, you are obligated.' You fools! You blind men! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? When you swear by an altar, you owe nothing. When you swear by the gift left on the altar, you are obligated. You blind men! What is more important, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He who swears by the altar, swears by it and everything on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him that dwells within it. Thus, he who swears by heaven also swears by the throne of God and him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone. You blind guides! You strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, yet the inside is full of extortion and excess. You are blind. Clean the inside of the cup and platter first. Then clean the outside. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful on the outside. They are full of dead men's bones and uncleanness on the inside. You appear righteous to men. However, inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous. You claim that you would not have been involved with your fathers when they spilled the blood of the prophets. You witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up the (guilt) measure of your fathers. You serpents! You offspring of vipers! How will you escape from being destroyed in the ever-burning fires of the Valley of Hinnom? (Greek: Gehenna, the trash fires in the valley just outside of Jerusalem)
They do everything to be seen by men. For example: they enlarge their scripture cases for their foreheads and lengthen the tassels on their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the prominent seats in the synagogues. They require recognition in public places and insist on being called Rabbi by men. Do not be called Rabbi (master) (teacher) (leader), for only one is your teacher. You are all brothers. Call no man your father on the earth, for only one is your Father in heaven. Do not be called master (teacher) (leader), for only one is your master, and he is Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. He who exalts himself will be humbled. He who humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter. [Verse not found in oldest manuscripts.] Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel on both sea and land to make one convert. When this happens, you make him twice as deserving of destruction in the trash fires of the valley of Hinnom (Greek: Gehenna). Woe to you, you blind guides! You say, 'When you swear by the temple, it is nothing.' Then you say, 'When you swear by the gold of the temple, you are obligated.' You fools! You blind men! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? When you swear by an altar, you owe nothing. When you swear by the gift left on the altar, you are obligated. You blind men! What is more important, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He who swears by the altar, swears by it and everything on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him that dwells within it. Thus, he who swears by heaven also swears by the throne of God and him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone. You blind guides! You strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, yet the inside is full of extortion and excess. You are blind. Clean the inside of the cup and platter first. Then clean the outside. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful on the outside. They are full of dead men's bones and uncleanness on the inside. You appear righteous to men. However, inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous. You claim that you would not have been involved with your fathers when they spilled the blood of the prophets. You witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up the (guilt) measure of your fathers. You serpents! You offspring of vipers! How will you escape from being destroyed in the ever-burning fires of the Valley of Hinnom? (Greek: Gehenna, the trash fires in the valley just outside of Jerusalem)
They questioned him: Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed hands. His answer to them was in the form of a question: Why do you go against the word of God in favor of your tradition? God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' read more.
You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.
You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.
The Pharisee wondered about Jesus not bathing before dinner. The Lord said: You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter. Yet your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. You foolish ones. Did he that made the outside also make the inside? read more.
Give that which is within as charity. Then all things are clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees! You tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God. You should have done these but you leave them undone. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the prominent seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! You are as the tombs that do not appear and men walk over them and do not know it. One of the lawyers said to him: Teacher, you also insult us by saying this. Jesus said: Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to bear. And you will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Therefore you are witnesses and consent to the works of your fathers. They killed them and you build their tombs. It is for this reason the wisdom of God said, 'I send to them prophets and apostles and they will persecute and kill some of them.' The blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation. This includes the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. I tell you it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, for you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves and you hindered those entering.
Give that which is within as charity. Then all things are clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees! You tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God. You should have done these but you leave them undone. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the prominent seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! You are as the tombs that do not appear and men walk over them and do not know it. One of the lawyers said to him: Teacher, you also insult us by saying this. Jesus said: Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to bear. And you will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Therefore you are witnesses and consent to the works of your fathers. They killed them and you build their tombs. It is for this reason the wisdom of God said, 'I send to them prophets and apostles and they will persecute and kill some of them.' The blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation. This includes the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. I tell you it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, for you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves and you hindered those entering.
Tradition » Not authoritative
They should not pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These myths (false stories) (fabrications) and genealogies stimulate questions and speculation. They do not enhance the administration of God that is by faith.
Refuse false stories and old wives' fables. Train yourself with godliness in mind.
His answer to them was in the form of a question: Why do you go against the word of God in favor of your tradition? God said, 'Honor your father and mother.' 'He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.' You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God. read more.
You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.
You say there is no need for him to give honor to his father. You have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition! You hypocrites (liars)! Isaiah's prophecy was right about you. These people honor me with their lips, but their heart (innermost thoughts) is far from me. But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules (commands) of men.' He got the people together and said to them: Listen, and let my words be clear to you. That which comes out of the mouth makes a man unclean, not that which goes into the mouth. The disciples told him the Pharisees were upset by what he said. In answer he replied: Every plant my Father in heaven has not planted in the earth will be pulled out by the roots. Let them be. They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, they will fall in a hole together. Then Peter said to him: Make the story clear to us. He replied: Are you, like them, without wisdom? Do you not see, that which goes into the mouth, goes into the stomach and is sent out as waste? That which comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart and makes a man unclean. Evil thoughts come from the heart! Thoughts about murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander come from the heart! These things make a man unclean. Eating food with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean.