Topical Encyclopedia The phrase "strain at" is often associated with a passage in the Gospel of Matthew, specifically Matthew 23:24, where Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes. In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse reads: "You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." This verse is part of a series of "woes" pronounced by Jesus against the religious leaders of His time, criticizing their hypocrisy and misplaced priorities.Context and Meaning In Matthew 23, Jesus is delivering a scathing rebuke to the Pharisees and scribes for their legalistic and hypocritical practices. The phrase "strain out a gnat but swallow a camel" is a hyperbolic expression used by Jesus to illustrate the absurdity of the Pharisees' focus on minor details of the law while neglecting the more significant matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). The imagery of straining out a gnat refers to the meticulous efforts of the Pharisees to avoid ceremonial impurity. According to Levitical law, consuming certain insects was considered unclean (Leviticus 11:20-23). The Pharisees would strain their drinks through a cloth to ensure that even the smallest unclean creature, like a gnat, was removed. In contrast, the camel, being the largest of the unclean animals listed in the law (Leviticus 11:4), represents a gross oversight of more significant moral and ethical issues. Theological Implications The use of this metaphor by Jesus underscores the importance of prioritizing the weightier matters of the law over trivial ceremonial observances. It highlights the danger of legalism, where adherence to the letter of the law supersedes the spirit of the law. Jesus emphasizes that true righteousness involves a heart aligned with God's values, characterized by justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This teaching serves as a warning against the tendency to focus on external religious practices while neglecting the internal transformation that God desires. It calls believers to examine their own lives for areas where they might be "straining out gnats" while "swallowing camels," ensuring that their faith is not merely performative but deeply rooted in genuine love and obedience to God. Historical and Cultural Background In the first-century Jewish context, the Pharisees were known for their strict observance of the Mosaic Law and the oral traditions that had developed around it. They were highly respected for their piety and dedication to the law, yet Jesus frequently challenged their interpretations and applications, which often missed the heart of God's commandments. The metaphor of the gnat and the camel would have been particularly striking to Jesus' audience, as it juxtaposed the smallest and largest of the unclean animals, creating a vivid picture of the inconsistency in the Pharisees' religious practices. Application for Today For contemporary readers, the lesson of "straining at" serves as a reminder to evaluate one's own spiritual life and religious practices. It encourages believers to focus on the core principles of their faith, ensuring that their actions reflect the love, justice, and mercy that God desires. It also challenges the church to avoid the pitfalls of legalism and to embrace a holistic approach to righteousness that encompasses both personal piety and social justice. Smith's Bible Dictionary Strain At(So translated in the Authorized Version, but in the Revised Version "strain out," (Matthew 23:24) which is undoubtedly the true reading. --ED.) Greek 1368. diulizo -- to strain thoroughly, strain out ... to strain thoroughly, strain out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diulizo Phonetic Spelling: (dee-oo-lid'-zo) Short Definition: I strain, put through a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1368.htm - 6k 1971. epipotheo -- to long for 5005. talaiporos -- distressed, miserable 1901. epekteino -- to extend, mid. to stretch forward 4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness 816. atenizo -- to look fixedly, gaze Strong's Hebrew 2212. zaqaq -- to refine, purify... fine, pour down, purge, purify, refine. A primitive root; to strain, (figuratively) extract, clarify -- fine, pour down, purge, purify, refine. 2211, 2212. ... /hebrew/2212.htm - 6k Library He Continues in this Strain: "If He had Determined Upon These ... A Strain of the Judgment of the Lord. A Strain of Sodom. A Strain of Jonah the Prophet. That a Man Shall not Take Ensample at the Bodily Ascension of ... That a Man Shall not Take Ensample of Saint Martin and of Saint ... Easter Day 170. Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain Other Absurd Theories Respecting Matter and Its Incidents Exposed ... A Rationale of Sleep, of Yawning, and of Dreams . The Blessings of Peace. Resources What is the Passion Translation of the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about misanthropy? | GotQuestions.org What is the key to growing as a new believer? | GotQuestions.org Strain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |