And think before you answer!
2007-11-28 04:14:49 · 19 answers · asked by Mickey P 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For those who need the link
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2011:37-54
2007-11-28 04:15:52 · update #1
Cat expert (glad you're an expert at something) - your answer is *exactly* why I admonished you to think before you answer. I'm quite literate and know the *who* in the scripture. You, on the other hand, could use some study.
2007-11-28 04:21:04 · update #2
Yes yes... He was talking to the Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers. You all get a gold star for being obvious.
To those who said "Religious Conservatives" or today's politicians and rich, even the "Evangicals?" (yes rumbler, I saw your original answer - nice touch up) then you get a gold star on your forehead and a pat on the back for thinking.
To those who said Everyone or Christians - Good job. Gold star, pat on the back, and extra candy in your Christmas stocking.
The next time you're in church and your minister recites his/her sermon with an organ playing in the background for the closing prayer, or the plate is passed for everybody to show how much they give (maybe even that empty envelope!), or the beautiful grounds at the MegaChurch where the pastor parks his new lexus; remember that Christ might call them hypocrites. Remember the sermons where *you* are going to hell for being a sinner, does your priest have that kind of power to judge you? ....
2007-11-29 07:18:40 · update #3
Remember that missionary who points to your scirptures to tell you why your belief in Christ is wrong and theirs is right; aren't they just playing the part of Mosaic Lawyer?
Could it even be those people on Yahoo! Answers that profess to be Christians while trying to "trap" unbelievers with their biblical prowess - are they Pharisees?
He was speaking to his contemporaries, but he was talking to us.
2007-11-29 07:18:55 · update #4
He was talking to us and warning us to not allow ourselves to find security in our outward religiosity!
Our security comes entirely from the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross and the fact that if we put our trust in Him alone then He promises to save us from the penalty of our sin which is spiritual death.
Our relationship with Christ is witnessed by the world by the way we love other people, by our humility, and by our service to mankind in the name of Jesus Christ. By our deeds, we show to whom we belong. So these pharisees were demonstrating that no inward change had taken place despite their knowledge and adherence to the law.
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
So, as a believer, I know to whom I belong and I seek Him in private so that His power transforms me and then what I display to the world is a life that leads observers to give glory to my Father in Heaven.
If you are only concerned with looking righteous and judging others then you are not going to lead any one to Christ, in fact, you will push them away. And, you better take a long, hard look at your own spiritual condition because that is not bearing good fruit!
2007-11-28 04:36:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pharasees are called the experts of the law... they hound "Jesus" looking for a mistake.....
today christians hound all non christians for a mistake... (the bible is often refered to as the law)... so here the christians and the pharoes practice the same behaviors.... always... but christians hound a person for saying they dont' know... sometimes the right answer to the question is I don't know... christians study their devil delivered bible... and keep their minds closed to the truth that surround them... you see that you have all the answers but you come up short when compared to the truth of having any at all... at least an atheist have some answers.. not one person has all the answers.... so keep that in mind when you bicker about your bible.... because an atheist understands that book more than any christian.
2007-11-28 05:32:28 · answer #2 · answered by Gyspy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He was talking to the Pharisees and those who studied and knew the Mosaic Law (referred to as lawyers). He was basically saying that they were using the law as an all inclusive rule book instead of a set of guidelines. So they kept the law exclusively and disregarded things that they knew were wrong, but because it was not referenced directly in the law, it ws essentially "ok" for them to do.
They judged others by what they did that was against the Law, but they did things that although it was not written in the law, it still went directly against God and didn't judge themselves.
2007-11-28 04:34:25 · answer #3 · answered by I'm at work right now 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was talking to the pharisees and their scribes, no one else. His prophetic and guidance words are clearly denoted as such by his words. He was overall rather clear and enjoyed using examples (parables) to tell a story or make a teaching point.
sometimes however, he was just dealing with a present problem or situation, just like this or when he destroyed the merchants wares at the temple, or spoke of casual divorce to the pharisees who had a habit of divorcing their wives for frivolity, such as being bad cooks.
Just talking to the Pharisees.
Can we apply it. lets say to legalisitc evangelicals? The Christian right? Yes, but he was addressing one of several attempts to catch him off guard.
2007-11-28 04:23:55 · answer #4 · answered by rumbler_12 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I appreciate you attaching the quote for those who don't have Bibles. I reread mine which is in KJV, and Jesus was addressing the Pharisees. They were highly judgmental, hypocritical, and thought they had the answers to everything !
Tithing seemed to be a major problem for them. So here we gather lessons about tithing.
It also talks about repentance for sins of past generations. :48).
The Pharisees were looking for something they could convict Jesus of, but found nothing.
2007-11-28 04:25:10 · answer #5 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He was talking directly to some pharisees, who were religious leaders, many of whom were corrupt. His words now are a warning to ingenuine Christians, people who follow the "rules" but do so without showing love, patience and charity towards others.
2007-11-28 04:20:35 · answer #6 · answered by daniel 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He was addressing the Pharasee's and religious scholors of his time, but we should all take heed to what he said. Your outside appearance and actions is not what is important. Your heart is what is important. He wanted them to stop being so legalistic and egotistic and be more concerned with matters of love and concern for others. We should also be less concerned over the law and work out of love and grace towards others.
2007-11-28 04:27:43 · answer #7 · answered by MrMyers 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hypocrisy
2007-11-28 04:21:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
(Luke 11:39) . . .“Now YOU Pharisees, YOU cleanse . . .
(Luke 11:40) 40 Unreasonable persons! . . .
(Luke 11:42) 42 But woe to YOU Pharisees, . . .
(Luke 11:43) 43 Woe to YOU Pharisees, . . .
(Luke 11:43-44) . . .! 44 Woe to YOU, because YOU . . .
You will notice that "YOU" is in all capital letters, this is because in Greek you have you (singular one person) and YOU as in many other persons.
Jesus was talking to a Pharisee, but using him as a composite group.
.
2007-11-28 04:42:48 · answer #9 · answered by TeeM 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Pharisees. Who else?
2007-11-28 04:25:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋