Thematic Bible: National character of
Thematic Bible
Jews, the » National character of » Unfaithful to covenant engagements
Jews, the » National character of » Fondness for traditionary customs
Jews, the » National character of » Prone to formality in religion
You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied accurately about you, saying [Isa. 29:13], These people [claim to] honor me with their lips [i.e., by what they say], but their heart is far from [honoring] me. They are worshiping me for nothing [because they are] teaching principles that are [merely] the requirements of men.'"
Jews, the » National character of » Cowardly
Jews, the » National character of » Covetous
Jews, the » National character of » Pride of descent, &c
You people are doing what your father does." They said to Him, "We were not born illegitimately; the only Father we have is God."
Verse Concepts
They replied to Him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be set free'?"
Verse Concepts
Jews, the » National character of » Ignorant of the true sense of scripture
and are not like Moses, who had to put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from staring at it as [its] radiance was completely fading away. [Note: The analogy continues by suggesting that the Old Agreement was fading away like the splendor on Moses' face did]. But the minds of the Israelites became dull for, to this very day, the same veil remains on them [i.e., figuratively] when the Old Agreement [Scriptures] are read. It is not being revealed to them that the Old Agreement is being abolished by Christ [i.e., by His death on the cross. See Col. 2:14]. But to this day, a veil remains on their minds whenever [the writings of] Moses are read.
For the people living in Jerusalem, together with their ruling officials, did not understand [that Jesus was the Messiah] or what the message of the prophets, which is read every Sabbath day, really meant. So, [because of this] they [actually] made these Scripture predictions come true by condemning Jesus.
Verse Concepts
Jews, the » National character of » Prone to rebellion
Jews, the » National character of » Attachment to customs of the law
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, in Cilicia, but raised [here] in this city [i.e., Jerusalem]. [I was] instructed by Gamaliel [i.e., a renowned Jewish rabbi of the time] according to the strictest methods of observing the law of our forefathers. [I was very] eager to serve God, just as all of you are here today.
Verse Concepts
Now these Jewish Christians have been informed that you are teaching all the Jews living among the Gentiles to give up [following the teaching of] Moses, [even] telling them not to circumcise their children and not to practice the [other] customs [of the Jewish religion].
Verse Concepts
for we [ourselves] heard him saying that this Jesus from Nazareth would destroy the Temple and change the customs handed down to us by Moses."
Verse Concepts
Jews, the » National character of » Prone to backsliding
Jews, the » National character of » Ungrateful to God
Jews, the » National character of » Distrustful of God
Jews, the » National character of » Self-righteous
For they did not know about God's way of making people right with Himself, so they attempted to establish their own way. In doing this they did not submit to God's way for being made right with Him.
Verse Concepts
Jews, the » National character of » Prone to idolatry
Jews, the » National character of » Stubborn and stiffnecked
You people are unbending and unrepentant in your hearts and [unwilling to listen with] your ears. You are always resisting [the desires of] the Holy Spirit just like your forefathers did.
Verse Concepts
Jews, the » National character of » Fondness for their brethren
Jews, the » National character of » Attachment to moses
Then they began ridiculing him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this man, we do not [even] know where he came from."