Topical Bible: Pride: Scribes

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "scribes" in the Bible refers to a group of learned men in ancient Israel who were responsible for copying, teaching, and interpreting the Scriptures. They played a significant role in Jewish society, particularly during the Second Temple period. The scribes were often associated with the Pharisees and were known for their expertise in the Law of Moses. However, the New Testament frequently highlights their pride and hypocrisy, which led to their opposition to Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, scribes were initially seen as respected figures. They were responsible for transcribing the sacred texts and ensuring the accurate transmission of God's Word. Ezra, a priest and scribe, is a notable example. Ezra 7:6 describes him as "a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given." His dedication to the Law and his leadership in teaching it to the people of Israel were commendable.

New Testament Critique

By the time of the New Testament, the role of the scribes had evolved, and they had become influential religious leaders. However, their pride and self-righteousness often put them at odds with Jesus. The scribes, along with the Pharisees, are frequently criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and legalism. In Matthew 23:2-3 , Jesus warns the people, "The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."

The scribes' pride is further illustrated in their desire for public recognition and honor. In Mark 12:38-39 , Jesus cautions, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and receive greetings in the marketplaces, and have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets." Their outward displays of piety were often a facade for their inner corruption and arrogance.

Opposition to Jesus

The scribes' prideful adherence to tradition and their rigid interpretation of the Law led them to oppose Jesus' teachings. They were often involved in attempts to trap Jesus with questions and accusations, seeking to undermine His authority. In Mark 2:6-7 , when Jesus forgives the sins of a paralytic, the scribes question, "Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Their pride blinded them to the truth of Jesus' identity and mission. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, they refused to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. This prideful resistance ultimately contributed to their role in the plot to crucify Jesus.

Lessons on Pride

The example of the scribes serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, particularly in religious leadership. Their account underscores the importance of humility, sincerity, and a genuine relationship with God over mere outward observance of religious practices. The scribes' failure to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law they so diligently studied highlights the peril of allowing pride to cloud spiritual discernment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 12:38,39
And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 17, "If Thou Wouldest Enter ...
... Charge," he says, "the rich of this world, that they be not proud in their conceits."
The first worm of riches is pride. ... [2808] The Scribes and Pharisees gave ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxv on the words.htm

Christ's Sheep
... The Scribes and Pharisees, it seems, taught them nothing. ... They liked to live in pride
and comfort in the towns, with their comfortable congregations round them ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon v christs sheep.htm

The Teacher with Authority
... Matthew 7:29). Two leading characteristics of the scribes were their pride
of learning, and their bondage to tradition. In fact the ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/ii the teacher with authority.htm

The Dying Thief
... We are the Priests and the Scribes; and the people that know not the law, they ... and
their menaces ended in a crucifixion, not merely because of a pride of wisdom ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the dying thief.htm

Absolution.
... will find these four things rife amongst us: Despondency, Spiritual Pride, Superstition,
and ... front the living fact"we are as zealous as Scribes and Pharisees ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/v absolution.htm

The Manner in which Christ Served.
... And when His disciples came and told Him"no doubt with pleasurable pride""All men
seek for Thee," His ... "But there were certain of the scribes sitting there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/iii the manner in which.htm

The Harbinger
... He detected the wickedness, and confounded the pride of the Scribes and Pharisees
and rulers; and made it appear that what is highly esteemed by men, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon ii the harbinger.htm

Jesus Tells what it Means to be Clean
... So the Pharisees and scribes asked him, "Why do not your disciples ... murder, greed,
wickedness, deceit, impure thoughts, envy, slander, pride, and recklessness. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus tells what it means.htm

The Friend of Sinners
... Now if the scribes and Pharisees had said that, should we have thought them very ...
one fancy that he can, and tempt him to wrap himself up in pride and surliness ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxiii the friend of.htm

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
... again, and said unto them [Having been accused by the scribes and Pharisees ... an envious
eye] ^a false witness, railings: { ^b railing,} pride, foolishness: 23 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxv jesus fails to attend.htm