Scribes: Modern: Persecuted the Christians
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In the context of the New Testament, the term "scribes" often refers to Jewish scholars and teachers of the Law who played a significant role in the religious and social life of Israel. They were experts in the Mosaic Law and were responsible for teaching, interpreting, and preserving the Scriptures. However, in the early Christian era, some scribes were among those who opposed the nascent Christian movement, contributing to the persecution of Christians.

The Gospels frequently depict scribes as adversaries of Jesus Christ, often aligning with the Pharisees and Sadducees in their opposition to His teachings and ministry. For instance, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus warns His followers about the scribes, saying, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and receive greetings in the marketplaces" (Mark 12:38). This opposition continued after the resurrection and ascension of Christ, as the early Church faced persecution from various Jewish authorities, including some scribes.

The Book of Acts provides several accounts of the early Church's encounters with Jewish leaders who sought to suppress the spread of Christianity. In Acts 4, Peter and John are brought before the Sanhedrin, which included scribes, to account for their preaching about Jesus. The text states, "The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem" (Acts 4:5). Despite threats and intimidation, the apostles continued to proclaim the Gospel boldly.

The persecution of Christians by Jewish authorities, including scribes, is further illustrated in the account of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Acts 6:12 notes, "So they stirred up the people and elders and scribes. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin" . Stephen's subsequent martyrdom marked a significant moment of persecution against the early Church, driven in part by the religious leaders' resistance to the message of Christ.

The Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul, was initially a zealous persecutor of Christians, operating with the authority of the Jewish religious establishment. His conversion, as described in Acts 9, highlights the transformative power of Christ and the eventual spread of the Gospel despite opposition from scribes and other authorities.

Throughout the New Testament, the scribes' role in persecuting Christians underscores the tension between the emerging Christian faith and the established Jewish religious order. This opposition was rooted in theological disagreements, as the message of Jesus challenged traditional interpretations of the Law and the role of the Messiah. Despite this persecution, the early Church continued to grow, empowered by the Holy Spirit and the unwavering faith of its members.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Acts 4:5
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 18:21
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that comes in Jerusalem: but I will return again to you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 6:12
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came on him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The General Epistle of James
... Gospel narrative, and has found some skilful modern advocates ... to death at the order
of the scribes and Pharisees ... it is the rich who have persecuted the righteous ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xx the general epistle.htm

James the Brother of the Lord.
... Peter; while a certain class of modern critics (though ... mostly of poor people, oppressed
and persecuted by the ... a tumult among the Jews, Scribes, and Pharisees ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 27 james the brother.htm

False Professors Solemnly Warned
... them; he was not like your modern minister, whose ... read that the apostle wept when
he was persecuted. ... the harsh and censorious remarks of Scribes and Pharisees. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/false professors solemnly warned.htm

Extracts No. vii.
... for interpolations, or what in more modern times have ... afterwards, christianity was
hated and persecuted beyond what ... and the elders, and the scribes, and come ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vii.htm

Concluding Reflections. Faith and Criticism.
... The greatest of modern sceptics paused at the problem, and ... not a race of scholars
and scribes and critics ... by force, and, after having persecuted his religion ...
/.../section 102 concluding reflections faith.htm

Acts vii. 54
... what they did), they were also persecuted, and themselves ... The modern text (Edd.)
alters the sense: hora pos ... This passage has perplexed scribes and editors. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xviii acts vii 54.htm

The Critical and Historical Movement
... Almost down to modern times texts have been drawn ... process, through the decisions
of the scribes, falls after ... the faith of a despised and persecuted sect, the ...
/.../chapter iv the critical and.htm

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... all men) did characterise the Jewish scribes in such ... Being reviled, we bless; being
persecuted, we suffer it ... In our modern languages it is termed villainy, as ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... Romans, and has been adopted by some modern nations, in ... he embraced the religion
which he had persecuted, and from ... arose a great cry: and the Scribes that were ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... has been translated into most modern languages, including ... in the course of time by
scribes or redactors ... in former time, when they persecuted Abraham; plundered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Resources
Has the Bible been corrupted, altered, edited, revised, or tampered with? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Stations of the Cross and what can we learn from them? | GotQuestions.org

Should Mark 16:9-20 be in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Scribes

Scribes were Ready Writers

Scribes: Acted as Keepers of the Muster-Rolls of the Host

Scribes: Acted as Notaries in Courts of Justice

Scribes: Acted as Religious Teachers

Scribes: Acted as Secretaries to Kings

Scribes: Acted as Secretaries to Prophets

Scribes: Acted as Writers of Public Documents

Scribes: Antiquity of

Scribes: Families Celebrated for Furnishing: Kenites

Scribes: Families Celebrated for Furnishing: Levi

Scribes: Families Celebrated for Furnishing: Zebulun

Scribes: Generally Men of Great Wisdom

Scribes: Illustrated of Well Instructed Ministers of the Gospel

Scribes: Modern were Doctors of the Law

Scribes: Modern were Frequently Pharisees

Scribes: Modern: Active in Procuring Our Lord's Death

Scribes: Modern: Condemned by Christ for Hypocrisy

Scribes: Modern: Esteemed Wise and Learned

Scribes: Modern: Often offended at out Lord's Conduct and Teaching

Scribes: Modern: Persecuted the Christians

Scribes: Modern: Regarded As Interpreters of Scripture

Scribes: Modern: Sat in Moses' Seat

Scribes: Modern: Tempted Our Lord

Scribes: Modern: Their Manner of Teaching Contrasting With That of Christ

Scribes: Modern: Wore Long Robes and Loved Pre-Eminence

Scribes: Often Learned in the Law

Scribes: Wore an Inkhorn at Their Girdles

Related Terms

Scrip (7 Occurrences)

Loins (72 Occurrences)

Jehu'di (3 Occurrences)

Gemariah (5 Occurrences)

Inkhorn (4 Occurrences)

Firepot (4 Occurrences)

Readeth (19 Occurrences)

Elishama (17 Occurrences)

Elnathan (5 Occurrences)

Etham (4 Occurrences)

Delaiah (7 Occurrences)

Migdol (6 Occurrences)

Pen (16 Occurrences)

Pen-knife (1 Occurrence)

Barabbas (10 Occurrences)

Columns (17 Occurrences)

Achbor (7 Occurrences)

Shimei (43 Occurrences)

Scepter (28 Occurrences)

Sceptre (20 Occurrences)

Secretary's (1 Occurrence)

Stove (4 Occurrences)

Sighing (22 Occurrences)

Groaning (27 Occurrences)

Consumption (20 Occurrences)

Shaphan (26 Occurrences)

Wit (28 Occurrences)

Secretary (34 Occurrences)

Cutteth (37 Occurrences)

Groan (32 Occurrences)

Pan (26 Occurrences)

Facing (79 Occurrences)

Fetch (45 Occurrences)

Hananiah (28 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Writing (194 Occurrences)

Scribes (85 Occurrences)

Chamber (73 Occurrences)

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Wanderings (7 Occurrences)

Linen (111 Occurrences)

Israel (27466 Occurrences)

Scribes: Modern: Often offended at out Lord's Conduct and Teaching
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