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NASB | Matthew 16:6 And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 16:6 Jesus said to them, "Watch out and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
Subject: Matt 16:6 explained |
Bible Note: OK, I've read this over and over again. I agree with you almost 100 percent. Where we differ is that (it seems, correct me if I'm wrong) you think the Pharisees were trying to obtain righteousness through works. My belief is that I don't think they were trying to obtain righteousness by any means; they were only in it for themselves. Being a Pharisee was only a means of income and power for (most of) them. It was never about the work of God. Except for some like Nicodemus and Gamaliel. They only wanted to give the apperance of being righteous while neglecting the real work of God all along just so they could have their place in the high seats and power in government. Let's not forget the setting of the time. Romans ruled the land and the Jews were powerless. Being a Pharisee or High priest gave them some power in government. And this is where we do agree: They never understood what God's law was really about. Like it says in Matt 23:23... you have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. So to me, the leaven was still their ungodliness, no matter what form it was in. Wheather it be self righteousness as you said, or their outright ignorance to the real meaning of the scriptures. And the leaven we see today is the same thing. Either people giving the appearance of being Godly for their own personal reasons or people who are blind to what the Word of God is really saying. So I do think we are on the same sheet of music here. It seems like the only area we differ is in the belief of the motives of the Pharisees and Saducees. It is so hard to truly understand someone through this type of interaction. So if you think I'm misunderstanding your points, please let me know. But like I said before this is great training and will really help with being able to expound on the Word. Now one thing I did see that you wrote that I have a different opinion on is Cain and Abel. Which is an entirely different topic. I don't believe God was displeased with Cain because his offering was of his works. I believe that God was displeased because Cains offering was not the best of the best from his crop. It says that Abel gave of the first and fatlings from his sheep. (I don't have a bible on me so I can't quote it exactly). And God had respect for Abel and his offering and not for Cains. Cain and Abel weren't looking for redemption because there was nothing to be redeemed from. There was no sin here. They were simply making an offering to God. Remember that at this time there was no law. Sin was only what your conscience made sin. Cain knew that he didn't give God his best offering so God was displeased. Just like he knew he shouldn't have killed his brother. Did Cain break a law when he killed Abel? No, because "thou shalt not kill" was not law yet. But because his conscience knew it was wrong, it became sin regardless if there was a law or not. Rom 2:14,15 What are your thoughts on that? Your brother, Sal |