Who were the scribes (Teachers of the Law)?
• Experts in the Law, whose profession was the systematic study and exposition of the Law • Scribes were also called ‘teachers of the Law’. • They often associated themselves with the Pharisees. (Mt 5:20, Mk 7:5, etc) • They had developed and added many traditions and practices to the requirements of the Law, to insure sanctity of the Law. (Mk 7:3) These teachings were called ‘the traditions of the elders’. (Matthew 15:2-6) • Jesus accused them for loading the common people with the “burdens that they can hardly carry.” (Luke 11:46) • Scribes closely observed Jesus’ activities and ministry. And when Jesus refused to follow their traditions, they fiercely opposed him and tried to trap /kill him.
