Summary
As Jesus’ relationship with the scribes and the Pharisees deteriorates, he distances himself from their teachings on the importance of traditions.
Analysis
One of the goals of the Pharisees was to help Jewish people bring their religious practices into their everyday lives. They believed that acts as simple as the preparing of meals could be a way to glorify God. As part of this practice, they developed the so-called “Oral TorahThe Torah is the law of Moses, also known as the first five books of the Bible. To many the Torah is a combination of history, theology, and a legal or ritual guide.,” a set of teachings and traditions related to daily life. As this tradition developed, it was traced back to the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. This Oral Torah brought the Pharisees and JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. into conflict. In response to a question about washing hands before eating, Jesus rejects the Pharisees’ customs through an appeal to the prophet IsaiahIsaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied in Jerusalem, is included among the prophets of the eighth century BCE (along with Amos, Hosea, and Micah)--preachers who boldly proclaimed God's word of judgment against the economic, social, and religious disorders of their time. (Isaiah 29:13).
While the Pharisees thought of the Oral Torah as in harmony with the scriptures, Jesus reads the scriptures against it. He takes special issue with a practice known as Corban (cf. Mark 7:11). This practice involved dedicating personal wealth to the service of the TempleThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged.... This dedication, however, restricted the use of this wealth in supporting the dedicator’s aging parents. By naming this practice as contrary to God’s word, Jesus takes a swipe at not only the Oral Torah but also the practice of supporting the Jerusalem Temple, both of which would have offended the scribes and the Pharisees.
