In biblical times, the term "lawyer" referred to those who were experts in the Mosaic Law, often synonymous with scribes or teachers of the law. These individuals held significant influence in Jewish society, as they were responsible for interpreting and teaching the Law of Moses to the people. Their role was crucial in maintaining the religious and legal standards of the community.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "lawyer" is not used in the Old Testament, the function of legal experts is evident. The priests and Levites often served as judges and interpreters of the law. Deuteronomy 17:9-11 instructs the Israelites to consult the Levitical priests and the judge in office for legal decisions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to their rulings.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, lawyers are frequently mentioned in the Gospels, often in the context of their interactions with Jesus. They are depicted as part of the religious elite, alongside the Pharisees and Sadducees. Lawyers were responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring its application in daily life.

One notable encounter is found in Luke 10:25-37 , where a lawyer tests Jesus by asking, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus responds by affirming the lawyer's understanding of the law—loving God and neighbor—and illustrates the concept with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. This interaction highlights the lawyer's role in questioning and interpreting the law, as well as Jesus' emphasis on the spirit of the law over mere legalism.

In Matthew 22:35-40 , another lawyer questions Jesus about the greatest commandment. Jesus summarizes the law with the commandments to love God and love one's neighbor, again pointing to the heart of the law rather than its letter.

Criticism and Challenges

The New Testament also records Jesus' criticism of lawyers for their hypocrisy and legalism. In Luke 11:46 , Jesus rebukes them, saying, "Woe to you as well, experts in the law! You load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to help them." This criticism underscores the tension between the legalistic approach of the lawyers and the compassionate, grace-filled message of Jesus.

Role in Early Christianity

As the early Christian church developed, the role of lawyers and legal experts evolved. The Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee well-versed in the law, used his legal knowledge to articulate the relationship between the law and grace. In Romans 7:6 , Paul explains, "But now, by dying to what bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."

Conclusion

The role of lawyers in biblical times was complex, involving the interpretation and application of the Mosaic Law. While they were respected for their knowledge, they were also challenged by Jesus for their legalism and lack of compassion. The New Testament presents a shift from strict adherence to the law towards a focus on love and grace, a theme that continues to resonate in Christian theology.Lawyers

Men who devoted themselves to the study and explanation of the Jewish law, particularly of the traditionary or oral law. They belonged mostly to the sect of the Pharisees, and fell under the reproof of our Savior for having taken from the people the key of knowledge. They were as the blind leading the blind, Matthew 28:20 Luke 10:25 11:52. See SCRIBES.

3547. nomodidaskalos -- a teacher of the law
... the Bible. [3547 () implies someone with even higher authority than 3544 () --
ie teaching other "Scripture-lawyers."]. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3547.htm - 8k

3544. nomikos -- relating to law, learned in the law
... Word Origin from nomos Definition relating to law, learned in the law NASB Word
Usage Law (1), lawyer (3), lawyers (5). about the law, lawyer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3544.htm - 8k

Discourse Pronounced at a Feast against the Hypocrisy of the ...
... GALILEE. Section 166. Discourse pronounced at a Feast against the Hypocrisy
of the Pharisees and the Lawyers. (Luke, xi., 37-52.). ...
/.../section 166 discourse pronounced at.htm

Excursus on the History of the Roman Law and Its Relation to the ...
... But after the death of Alexander this custom fell into entire disuse, and the Emperors
themselves decided the matters formerly entrusted to the lawyers. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the history of.htm

Li. Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect.
... to be be very careful when they were really extremely careless; 2. Vainglory; 3.
Corruption of the public morals.] 45 And one of the lawyers answering saith ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/li dining with a pharisee.htm

Christ's Reprehension of the Pharisees Seeking a Sign his Censure ...
... says, "Woe unto them that are strong in Jerusalem!" [4609] and again, "They that
demand you shall rule over you." [4610] And who did this more than the lawyers ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxvii christs reprehension of the.htm

The Lessons of a Feast
... day, that they watched Him.2. And, behold, there was a certain man before Him which
had the dropsy.3. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the lessons of a feast.htm

Concerning the Three Kinds of Gods About which the Pontiff ...
... It is no great matter about the superfluous things, for it is a common saying of
skillful lawyers, "Superfluous things do no harm." [180] But what are those ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 27 concerning the three kinds.htm

The Life of Mr. James Guthrie.
... After he had delivered this speech, he was ordered to remove. He humbly craved,
that some time might be given him to consult with his lawyers. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 3.htm

Leadership for Service
... 21:33-46. A delegation of the chief priests, lawyers, and elders challenged
the authority of Jesus to act as he did. He replied ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter vii leadership for service.htm

The Shepherd among his Flock
... For these countless favors he frequently expressed publicly his gratitude saying,
"We very often have need of the help of lawyers, doctors and nurses. ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/the shepherd among his flock.htm

Gunsaulus -- the Bible Vs. Infidelity
... with the hope of creating in its stead civilization, we can look into the face of
John Selden, one of the most illustrious of English lawyers, when he says: "I ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/gunsaulus the bible vs.htm

Lawyers (5 Occurrences)
...Lawyers (5 Occurrences). Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected
the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves. ...
/l/lawyers.htm - 7k

Lawyer (5 Occurrences)
... law," "about the law," "lawyer" (Matthew 22:35 Luke 7:30; Luke 10:25; Luke 11:45,
46, 52; Luke 14:3 Titus 3:13)): The work of the "lawyers," frequently spoken ...
/l/lawyer.htm - 14k

Experts (10 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being
baptized by him themselves. ... Luke 11:46 He said, "Woe to you lawyers also! ...
/e/experts.htm - 9k

Courts (59 Occurrences)
... consent (Exodus 21:2-6). 3. Their Work: Gradually a legal profession developed among
the Hebrews, the members of which were designated as "Lawyers" or "Scribes ...
/c/courts.htm - 33k

Scribes (85 Occurrences)
... effect. The titles "scribes" and "lawyers" (qv) are in the Gospels
interchangeable (Matthew 22:35; Mark 12:28; Luke 20:39, etc.). ...
/s/scribes.htm - 49k

Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... consent (Exodus 21:2-6). 3. Their Work: Gradually a legal profession developed among
the Hebrews, the members of which were designated as "Lawyers" or "Scribes ...
/j/judicial.htm - 25k

Zenas (1 Occurrence)
... The lawyers were that class of Jewish teachers who were specially learned in the
Mosaic Law, and who interpreted that Law, and taught it to the people. ...
/z/zenas.htm - 10k

Wo (92 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:46 He said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For ... (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY
WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Luke 11:52 Woe to you lawyers! For ...
/w/wo.htm - 33k

Woe (102 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:46 He said, "Woe to you lawyers also! ... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV).
Luke 11:52 Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. ...
/w/woe.htm - 37k

Yourselves (530 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:46 He said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For ... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY
WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Luke 11:52 Woe to you lawyers! For ...
/y/yourselves.htm - 36k

What does the Bible say about lawyers? | GotQuestions.org

What is textualism? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Herodians? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus