36 Bible Verses about Law, Jesus Christ's Attitude To

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?

They questioned him: Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed 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 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.'

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.

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.'read more.
You make the word of God invalid by your tradition.

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!

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. 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.read more.
They chain heavy burdens on your shoulders. Yet they are unwilling to lift even a finger to carry these same burdens. 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) Look! I am sending you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will torture and kill. Others you will torment and persecute from city to city. You are responsible for all the righteous blood shed on earth. That includes the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar. I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation (those living at that time).

He said: Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and to have greetings in the marketplaces. They demand the front seats in the synagogues and prominent places at feasts.

He spoke to the disciples while all the people listened: Beware of the scribes for they walk around in long robes. They love greetings in the marketplaces. They sit in the chief seats in the synagogues and the head tables at feasts.

Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath day. While they walked his disciples took the heads of grain. The Pharisees said: Why are they doing what it is not right to do on the Sabbath?

Jesus' disciples were hungry. It was Sabbath day and yet Jesus and his disciples went through the grain fields plucking ears and eating them. The Pharisees saw it and said to him: Your disciples do that which it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.

Jesus and his disciples went through the grain fields on a Sabbath. His disciples plucked the ears, rubbed them in their hands and ate. Some of the Pharisees asked: Why do you do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?

For the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath. He left and went into their synagogue. There he saw a man who had a withered hand. They asked him if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath day? They wanted to accuse him.

He continued: The Son of man is lord of the Sabbath. He entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath and taught. There was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. They looked for a way to accuse him.

Then he asked the Pharisees, Is it right to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil? Is it right to give life or to put to death? But they said nothing.

Jesus said: I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm? Is it lawful to save a life, or to destroy it?

He said to them: Which of you having one sheep, if this sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath day, will not get it and lift it out. How much more value is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day!

Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. A woman had an evil spirit that kept her sick for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not stand straight. Jesus called to her: Woman you are free from your sickness!read more.
He touched her and at once she stood straight up and praised God. The official of the synagogue was angry that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. He told the people: There are six days in which we should work. Come during those days and be healed, not on the Sabbath! The Lord answered: You hypocrites! You would untie your ox or your donkey from the stall and take it out to give it water on the Sabbath. Here is a descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years. Should she be released on the Sabbath? His answer shamed his enemies. The people rejoiced over the wonderful things he did.

Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill (perfect) (execute) (accomplish).

Do not murder.

You have heard it was said, 'You should not commit adultery.' However, I tell you that whoever looks at a woman with lustful thoughts commits adultery with her in his heart.

Do not commit adultery.

I solemnly tell you, heaven and earth would pass away before one small letter (detail) will pass away from the Law. All things must be accomplished. 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.

A lawyer stood up to test him. He asked: Teacher what shall I do to inherit everlasting life? He said: What is written in the law? How do you read it? He answered: Love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your life, with all your strength and with all your mind. (Feelings and total existence) (Might and total thinking capacity) And you should love your neighbor as yourself. (Deuteronomy 6:5) (Leviticus 19:18)read more.
He told him: You answered correctly, do this and you will live.

Jesus told him: You shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart (Greek: kardia: feelings, emotions), and with all your being, and with your entire mind (Greek: dianoia: understanding). (Deuteronomy 6:5) This is the greatest and first commandment. The second like it is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

Jesus answered: The first is, Hear, O Israel; Jehovah our God is one God (Jehovah). You should love Jehovah your God with all your heart, and with all your being (with every breath you take) (your life), with your entire mind and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4) The second is you should love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these. (Leviticus 19:18)read more.
The scribe said to him: It is true teacher you've said it well that he is one and there is no one else besides him. To love him with all the heart, and with all understanding, and with total strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently he said to him: You are not far from the kingdom of God. No man dared ask any questions after that.

Desiring to justify himself, he said to Jesus: Who is my neighbor? Jesus answered: A man traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among robbers. They stripped him, beat him and left him half dead. A priest traveled on that road. When he saw him he passed by on the other side.read more.
When a Levite came to the place he saw the man and passed by on the other side. Then a Samaritan arrived where he was. He was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds pouring oil and wine on them. He set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn to take care of him. The next day he paid the host two shillings. He said take care of him and if you spend more I will repay you when I return. Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? He said: The one who showed mercy to him. Jesus said to him: Go and you do like wise.

The Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets was in effect until John the Baptist. From that time on the Good News about the Kingdom of God is being taught.

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old they went to the feast of the Passover, as was their custom. When the feast ended they started the return trip. Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know this.read more.
They thought he was in the traveling company. After a day's journey they looked for him among their relatives and friends. When they could not find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. He was listening and asking them questions. All that heard him were amazed at his understanding. When they saw him they were astonished. His mother said to him: Son, why did you treat us this way? Your father and I have searched for you and we have been worried. He said: Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? They did not understand what he said to them. He went with them to Nazareth. He remained subject to them. His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. I need to be baptized by you, John said. Why are you coming to me? Jesus answered emphatically: This is the proper way to do everything that God requires. This is the way it must be!

Jesus was full of God's Holy Spirit when he returned from the Jordan. Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness. He spent forty days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. He did not eat anything during those days so when it was over he was hungry. The devil said to him: If you are the Son of God command this stone to become bread.read more.
Jesus answered him: It is written, man shall not live by bread alone. (Deuteronomy 8:3) He led him up to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. Then the devil said: I will give all this authority and glory to you, for it has been turned over to me. I may give it to whomever I will. If you will worship me it will all be yours. Jesus answered: It is written, you shall worship Jehovah your God and him only shall you serve. (Deuteronomy 6:13-15; 10:12; 10:20) (Exodus 20:3-5) He led him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle (highest level) of the temple. Then he said to him: If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here. It is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning you to guard you. They will carry you with their hands so you do not dash your foot against a stone. Jesus replied: It is said you should not test Jehovah your God. (Deuteronomy 6:16) When the devil had completed every temptation he departed from him for a season.

The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying: Go make everything ready that we may eat the Passover.

Then he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

He went forward a little ways and fell on the ground to pray. He prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass from him. He said: Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup from me. Even so not what I will, but what you will.

He went a short distance from them and kneeled down and prayed. He prayed: Father if it is your will remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but your will be done.