Scribes: Guardians and Teachers of the Law
Writers and teachers of the law, entrusted with copying, interpreting, and explaining God's Word in ancient Israel.
Scribes in the Ancient World
In the ancient world, few people were able to read or write, and so scribes were called upon to perform various secretarial and legal duties and to write documents of history. A group of scribes served in the Sanhedrin, the highest administrative court of the Jews. These men were experts in the study of the law of Moses and as such instructed pupils in the synagogues. As they were responsible for upholding the law they were also termed lawyers (Mt 22:35; Lk 2:46, 5:21).
Do I handle God’s Word with reverence and accuracy?
Scribes and Jesus
Jesus condemned the external formalities which the scribes fostered because although they taught, they did it without conviction or authority (Mt 7:28-29).
Do I teach and live with conviction, not just outward form?
Scribes in the Early Church
As was to be expected, the scribes who served the Pharisees sided with Paul on the matter of the resurrection while the Sadducean scribes opposed him (Acts 23:9).
Do I allow tradition to overshadow truth?
Reflection and Application:
- Handle God’s Word with reverence and accuracy, like the scribes were called to do.
- Teach and live with conviction and authority, not merely outward form.
- Be careful that tradition does not overshadow the truth of Scripture.
- Recognise that knowledge of the law must be matched by a heart devoted to God.
See also: Pharisees, Sadducees, Sanhedrin.