SPECIAL TOPIC: SCRIBES

SPECIAL TOPIC: SCRIBES

In the ANE history was recorded and elaborated by royal scribes. The object was to magnify and protect the royal family. For information of ANE history, see
1. John H. Walton, Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible, pp. 217-237.
2. SPECIAL TOPICS
  1. SPECIAL TOPIC: OT HISTORIOGRAPHY
  2. SPECIAL TOPIC: OT HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
The title comes from the Hebrew NOUN (BDB 706, KB 767) which means "a spoken message," or "a written document/decree" (KB 766). The Greek translation grammateus (LXX) usually refers to a written message. It can denote a person
1. educator (Nehemiah 8)
2. governmental official (2 Kgs. 22:3-13; Jer. 36:10)
3. recorder/secretary (1 Chr. 24:6; 2 Chr. 34:13; Jer. 36:32)
4. military muster officer (cf. Jdgs. 5:14)
5. religious leader (i.e., Ezra, Ezra 7:6; Neh. 12:12-13)
In the NT they are often associated with the Pharisees. In a sense they were people who were educated in the OT and the Oral Traditions (i.e., Talmud; called "the tradition of the elders" in Mark 7:3). They helped interpret and apply the Jewish traditions to everyday life (cf. Sirah 39:6). Apparently the scribes were also called "lawyers" (cf. Mark 12:28; Luke 7:30; 10:25; 11:45; 14:3). However, their understanding of how one is made right with YHWH (i.e., Jewish legalism and ritual) could not bring salvation (cf. Matt. 5:20; Rom. 3:19-20; 9:1-5,30-32; 10:1-6; Col. 2:20-22).
They were often depicted in the Synoptic gospels (John never mentions them, John 8:3 is not original), as opposed to Jesus, and apparently coming as officials from Jerusalem (cf. Mark 3:22; 7:1).
1. conflict over eating with sinners and tax-collectors, Mark 2:16; Matt. 9:9-13
2. conflict over the source of Jesus' authority in exorcisms, Mark 3:22
3. conflict over Jesus forgiving sin, Matt. 9:3; Luke 5:21
4. demand for a spectacular sign, Matt. 12:38
5. conflict over hand washing (i.e., ceremonial washings), Matt. 15:1-2; Mark 7:1-5
6. conflict over the crowds' affirmation at the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Matt. 21:15
7. Jesus' accusation of their motives (i.e., seeking honor and preeminence), Mark 12:38-40
8. Jesus' accusing them of being hypocrites and blind guides in Moses' seat, Matt. 23:1-36
9. some, however, did respond to Him (cf. Matt. 8:19; 13:52; 23:34).
  
  Because of their knowledge of Scripture, they should have been the first to recognize and embrace Jesus, but their traditions (cf. Isa. 29:13; 6:9-10) had blinded them! When light becomes darkness, how great is the darkness!
  For a good brief discussion, see ABD, vol. 5, pp. 1012-1016.

SPECIAL TOPIC: PHARISEES

SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (NT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: EXORCISM

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE UNPARDONABLE SIN