All societies have fallen into a hierarchal order where a ruling class of religious or political leaders act as lords over the laity. Prior to Biblical times some social, religious and political leaders claimed god and demi-god status, others claimed academic status, or lineage status, while the regular people were looked down upon. Once that system is established the separation between the normal people and the ruling class continues to grow further apart. Whoever is in the hierarchy will eventually become tyrannical in order to keep their status. If gods and demi-gods were so powerful, where are they now? They died out with the era their legend existed. National wars and civil wars knock people out of power and a new generation of hierarchal leaders rise up. Within the church or religious hierarchy there is vein of sin consciousness. The Pharisees set themselves up in a hierarchal position using sin consciousness and it has infiltrated Christianity ever since. They hunted for sin in other people’s lives. When people become focused on other people’s sins and not their own then they become tyrannical in their control of their religion, beating sin out of everyone and demanding allegiance. Jesus threatened that Pharisaical religion, and the Pharisees became jealous of his miracles and his followers. Their natural approach to Jesus was to kill him.
The Essenes lived a very common life, meaning they had all things in common. They lived in communities together, worked and turned their earned money over to the community money holders. They wore white clothing and tunics and when they became worn out they turned their clothes into the keeper of the cloaks who washed and mended the clothing. Old people were cared for by the community and respected for their knowledge and wisdom. They were served by the young people in the community. However this was not the case with the Pharisees. The Pharisees lived individually for themselves. They grouped together on all matters of religion but elevated themselves above the people. They would legislate Mosaic laws for the people but did not adhere to those laws themselves. They considered themselves to be above the laity and the laws. The Pharisees loved standing out in a crowd. They separated themselves to upper rooms during feasts so as not to eat with the commoners. They vied for the best seats in the synagogues; meaning they sat up front while the laity sat in back. The Pharisees did not serve the people, even stealing the homes of widows, claiming that this would pay her tithes for the rest of her life. They extorted money from people and lived in excess. We see how polar opposite these two groups were. This is why Jesus coming from the Essene order was such an affront to the Pharisees.
Matthew starts his gospel from the lineage of Jesus, but it is not until chapter nine that Matthew tells us that he was called as a disciple. Matthew worked as a tax collector for the Romans. This was a despised position of authority by the Jews who were reminded that they were not in charge of their own country. The Pharisees obviously gave tax collectors a bad name calling them sinners. But Jesus called a tax collector to follow him, and through that man, we have a very detailed historical message regarding Jesus.
Matthew 9:9 G2532 And G3855 Jesus passing by G3588 G1564 there G1492 beheld G444 a man G2521 sitting down G1909 at G3588 the G5058 tax collector's station, G* being called Matthew. G3004 G2532 And G3004 he says G1473 to him, G190 Follow G1473 me! G2532 And G450 having arisen, G190 he followed G1473 him.
10 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G1473 of his G345 reclining G1722 in G3588 the G3614 house. G2532 And G2400 behold, G4183 many G5057 tax collectors G2532 and G268 sinners G2064 having come G4873 were reclining together with G3588 G* Jesus G2532 and G3588 G3101 his disciples. G1473
‘Reclining in the house’ is basically relaxing while eating dinner. Jesus and the disciples went to Matthews house to eat dinner with other tax collectors and sinners who were Matthews friends. They wanted to learn from Jesus. These people were probably not “sinners”, they were Jews who worked for the Roman government and/or people who did not ascribe to the Pharisaical way of life. If one did not adhere to the Pharisees’ doctrines, the Pharisees considered them sinners.
Matthew 9:11 G2532 And G1492 the Pharisees seeing, G3588 G* G2036 said G3588 to G3101 his disciples, G1473 G1302 Why G3326 with G3588 the G5057 tax collectors G2532 and G268 sinners G2068 does [3eat G3588 G1320 2teacher G1473 1your]?
The Pharisees went to the disciples, not to Jesus directly. They did not eat with tax collectors and sinners, and looked to establish themselves as a higher class of people. The Pharisees are exposed as elitists by this question, but they enjoy the position of being elite religious leaders. Jesus heard their question.
Matthew 9:12 G3588 G1161 And G* Jesus G191 having heard, G2036 said G1473 to them, G3756 [4no G5532 5need G2192 3have G3588 1The ones G2480 2being strong] G2395 of a physician, G235 but G3588 the ones G2560 [2illnesses G2192 1having] do .
Jesus exposed them as the type of religious leaders that do not care for the sick and needy. The Pharisaical religion was built to serve the Pharisees, not the people. Jesus came to serve the people. Now we can ask that question of our religious organizations today; Do they exist to serve the people or to serve the organizations leaders? Has the organization changed its dynamics from one of service to one of self serving? Jesus continues.
Matthew 9:13 G4198 But having gone G1161 G3129 learn G5100 what G1510.2.3 it is said, G1656 Mercy G2309 I want, G2532 and G3756 not G2378 sacrifice! G3756 [3not G1063 1For not G2064 2I came] G2564 to call G1342 the righteous, G235 but G268 sinners G1519 unto G3341 repentance.
Jesus’ ministry was to call sinners to repentance. The Pharisees were extorting, bullying, and demanding money from the sinners, but Jesus was healing sinners. All the Pharisees could see when they looked at people was their sin and lowly status. All Jesus saw was people in need of mercy and healing.
Matthew 12:1 G1722 In G1565 that G3588 G2540 time G4198 Jesus went G3588 G* G3588 on the G4521 Sabbaths G1223 through G3588 the G4702 corn-fields. G3588 G1161 And G3101 his disciples G1473 G3983 hungered, G2532 and G756 they began G5089 to pluck G4719 ears of corn G2532 and G2068 to eat.
2 G3588 And the G1161 G* Pharisees G1492 seeing, G2036 said G1473 to him, G2400 Behold, G3588 G3101 your disciples G4160 do G3739 what G3756 is not G1832 allowed G4160 to do G1722 on G4521 the Sabbath.
The Pharisees were always watching weren’t they? They were always looking for sin. That is the way they saw everything and everyone. Jesus was not hunting for sin in people, he was practical. The word exesti means “lawful”. The Pharisees thought that eating corn that was picked was not lawful on the Sabbath.
As we know in the Letter of Aristeas, Aristeas explains that clean and unclean had become distorted as explained by the high priest Eleazar in the temple of Nehemiah. There were no unclean animals, it was the behavior of the animals that was unclean. People did not have televisions, they lived primarily outdoors, and they observed how animals behaved. Clean and unclean are behaviors, not literal flesh. The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. In other words, it is not sinful to pick corn and eat it on the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a rest day, but not so legal that people could not do normal things, like turning on and off lights, cooking food, or letting animals out to pasture. The day was really to be a rest day to reflect on Yahweh, not an opportunity for people to point out sins in others.
Matthew 12:3 G3588 G1161 And G2036 he said G1473 to them, G3756 Did you not read G314 G5100 what G4160 David did G* G3753 when G3983 he hungered G1473 G2532 and G3588 the ones G3326 with G1473 him?
4 G4459 How G1525 he entered G1519 into G3588 the G3624 house G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G3588 the G740 bread loaves G3588 of the G4286 place setting G2068 he ate, G3739 which G3756 [2not G1832 3allowable G1510.7.3 1was] G1473 for him G2068 to eat, G3761 nor G3588 to the ones G3326 with G1473 him, G1508 except for G3588 the G2409 priests G3441 alone?
David did do that. There weren’t any Pharisees at that time or else there would have been a group of Pharisees calling David a sinner.
Matthew 12:5 G2228 Or G3756 did you not G314 read G1722 in G3588 the G3551 law, G3754 that G3588 on the G4521 Sabbaths G3588 the G2409 priests G1722 in G3588 the G2413 temple G3588 [2the G4521 3Sabbath G953 1profane], G2532 and G338 they are innocent? G1510.2.6
The priests were suppose to make sacrifices on the Sabbath day. If the Pharisees were around at the time of Moses, they would have called the priests sinners, and Moses a sinner for telling the priests to make their weekly sacrifice. Jesus is telling people to think logically. The commands are not so rigid that people are tied down. The priests profane the Sabbath, every Sabbath. But the Sabbath is for man, not for the Elohim. Therefore relax, the priests are still considered innocent. If one is Pharisaical and wants to take this to its logical extreme, simply don’t get out of bed on the Sabbath. Otherwise, if one is not Pharisaical, get up, get dressed, and eat, just do not make it a normal work day.
Matthew 12:6 G3004 But I say G1161 G1473 to you G3754 that G3588 [2the G2413 3temple G3173 1a greater than] G1510.2.3 is G5602 here.
Jesus Messiah is greater than the temple where the priests made sacrifices. The priests did not keep the Sabbath, but kept the law, the weekly sacrifices. Jesus is greater than the priests and the weekly sacrifices because he would become the once for all sacrifice for all sins and for all mankind.
Matthew 12:7 G1487 And if G1161 G1097 you had known G5100 what G1510.2.3 it is, G1656 Mercy G2309 I want G2532 and G3756 not G2378 sacrifice; G3756 you would not have G302 G2613 judged against G3588 the G338 innocent.
8 G2962 [6master G1063 1For G1510.2.3 5is G3588 7of the G4521 8Sabbath G3588 2the G5207 3son G3588 G444 4of man].
Notice that Jesus calls what the Pharisees are doing by hunting for sins in everyone else as “judging the innocent”. The word katadikazō means “downward judgment” or “downward condemnation". The Pharisees were not judging themselves but judging the anaitios, guiltless or innocent. This tells us that they were “finding” sins where there were’t any. Innocent means “innocent”. The Elohim was not charging the people with sin, the Pharisees were. Isn’t it one of the schemes of Satanas to call everything “sin” insomuch that sin is all people look for in others, thereby keeping us separated and divided according to sin, and sin tolerance? If it is the plan of Satanas to make religious leaders hyper-sin hunters, and hierarchal from the laity, then the Pharisees are the perfect example for us to learn from. The Pharisees should become our example of how not to behave.
Matthew 12:9 G2532 And G3327 having crossed over G1564 from there, G2064 he came G1519 into G3588 G4864 their synagogue. G1473
Jesus took the discussion to them, he went into the Pharisees synagogue. Now Jesus will expose their sinful hearts.
Matthew 12:10 G2532 And G2400 behold, G444 there was a man G1510.7.3 G3588 G5495 [2a hand G2192 1having] G3584 withered. G2532 And G1905 they asked G1473 him, G3004 saying, G1487 Is it allowed G1832 G3588 on the G4521 Sabbaths G2323 to cure? G2443 that G2723 they should charge G1473 him.
It is the Sabbath, which was created for men, not for the Elohim. The Pharisees had their “rules for sins” and healing someone is apparently against their rules, and a sin on the Sabbath. Jesus exposes their hypocrisy.
Matthew 12:11 G3588 G1161 And G2036 he said G1473 to them, G5100 What G1510.8.3 [2will be G1537 3of G1473 4you G444 1man] G3739 who G2192 shall have G4263 [2sheep G1520 1one], G2532 and G1437 if G1706 this one should fall G3778 G3588 on the G4521 Sabbaths G1519 into G999 a cistern, G3780 shall not G2902 grab hold of G1473 it G2532 and G1453 raise it ?
The Pharisees saw the value in their livestock, they did not see the value in human beings. Why? The Pharisees thought all sickness was due to sin. While that may be true to some small extent, it is not the case in all sickness.The Pharisees permeated society with their doctrines so that the disciples even asked Jesus who sinned, the blind person or the parents of the blind person, John 9. Sickness is not always due to the sin of the individual. Now the Pharisees had a man in their synagogue who had a withered hand, yet they didn’t seem to care enough to heal him. They didn’t seem to try and deliver him from his sins via repentance either. They simply looked down on the man for having a withered hand. They were above the sickly masses.
Matthew 12:12 G4214 How much then G3767 G1308 differs G444 a man G4263 than a sheep? G5620 So that G1832 it is allowed G3588 [3on the G4521 4Sabbaths G2573 2well G4160 1to do].
Jesus’ answer is very practical. Are men more important than sheep? Jesus says it is allowed to do well on the Sabbath day. The word kalōs means to “do good” or “honorably”. It is a moral goodness or moral excellency. Do the things that are morally good on the Sabbath.
Matthew 12:13 G5119 Then G3004 he says G3588 to the G444 man, G1614 Stretch out G3588 G5495 your hand! G1473 G2532 And G1614 he stretched it out, G2532 and G600 it was restored G5199 in health G5613 as G3588 the G243 other.
14 G3588 And the G1161 G* Pharisees G4824 [2council G2983 1took] G2596 against G1473 him, G1831 having gone forth, G3704 how G1473 they should destroy him. G622
Jesus did what was morally good and morally honorable on the Sabbath. He simply said “stretch out your hand”. There is not a lot of work involved in that. The Pharisees thought speaking certain healing words was sinful on the Sabbath, the problem was that Jesus didn’t use a set of magic words every time he healed someone. Maybe we should look at the Pharisees. Is it lawful to argue with others on the Sabbath? Is is lawful to follow people around hunting for sins on the Sabbath? Now the Pharisees were exposed again. Their hierarchal attitude, how they despise the people, their disdain for the sick, was now seen by all and recorded for history.
Matthew 15:1 G5119 Then G4334 came forward G3588 to G* Jesus G3588 the ones G575 from G* Jerusalem -- G1122 scribes G2532 and G* Pharisees, G3004 saying,
2 G1302 Why do G3588 G3101 your disciples G1473 G3845 violate G3588 the G3862 tradition G3588 of the G4245 elders? G3756 for they do not G1063 G3538 wash G3588 G5495 their hands G1473 G3752 whenever G740 [2bread G2068 1they eat].
Instead of saying that it was not lawful to eat without washing their hands, the Pharisees say that it is a ‘transgression of instruction’. Who were the elders that instituted hand washing? It wasn’t Moses. Water was not as readily available as it is today. The Pharisees had available water for hand washing while the laity did not. This is not the breaking of the law, this is the breaking of tradition. Jesus points out that they, the Pharisees, are breaking the commands of the Elohim.
Matthew 15:3 G3588 And he G1161 G611 answering G2036 said G1473 to them, G1302 Why G2532 also G1473 do you G3845 violate G3588 the G1785 commandment G3588 G2316 of God G1223 through G3588 G3862 your tradition? G1473
4 G3588 G1063 For G2316 God G1781 gave charge, G3004 saying, G5091 Esteem G3588 the G3962 father G2532 and G3588 the G3384 mother! G2532 and, G3588 The one G2551 speaking evil of G3962 father G2228 or G3384 mother, G2288 by death G5053 shall come to an end.
5 G1473 But you G1161 G3004 say, G3739 Who G302 ever G2036 should say G3588 to the G3962 father G2228 or G3588 to the G3384 mother, G1435 A gift offering G3739 is what G1437 ever G1537 [2from G1473 3me G5623 1you should derive benefit];
6 G2532 and G3766.2 in no way G5091 should esteem G3588 G3962 his father G1473 G2228 or G3588 G3384 his mother; G1473 G2532 and G208 you voided G3588 the G1785 commandment G3588 G2316 of God G1223 through G3588 G3862 your tradition. G1473
What was happening here was that the younger people were not taking care of their parents and then claiming that whatever money they should be giving their parents for help was being given to the temple, as a gift to the Elohim, so that the children were not obliged to help their parents. This was a tradition that the Pharisees instituted and which was in opposition to the command of the Elohim from Moses law. In other words, the Pharisees made a “rule” that people could give money to the temple instead of their parents. This would put the parents in a difficult position if they were elderly. This is why the Pharisees were stealing the homes of widows, so that the old people could pay their tithe. The Pharisees gained by taking the money of the sons as a gift to the Elohim, and the Pharisees gained again when they took the homes of the parents as a temple tithe. Nice people, these Pharisees. As we noted before the Essenes took care of the elderly as a community, the Pharisees did not.
Matthew 15:7 G5273 Hypocrites, G2573 well G4395 [2prophesied G4012 3concerning G1473 4you G* 1Isaiah], G3004 saying,
8 G1448 [2approach G1473 3me G3588 G2992 1This people] G3778 G3588 with G4750 their mouth, G1473 G2532 and G3588 with the G5491 lips G1473 esteem me, G5091 G3588 G1161 but G2588 their heart G1473 G4206 is far off G566 at a distance G575 from G1473 me.
9 G3155 But in vain G1161 G4576 they worship G1473 me, G1321 teaching G1319 instructions -- G1778 precepts G444 of men.
Jesus quotes Isaiah:
Isa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
The Pharisees come near Yahweh and said that they esteem Yahweh, but their hearts were far from Yahweh. Instead of teaching the people the precepts of Yahweh they were teaching the religious precepts and ordinances of men. Does this mean that not following the traditions of men is sin? No. But the Pharisees were claiming it was. Jesus then says that by their traditions they break the commands of the Elohim. Jesus says that they are teaching the instructions and religious doctrines of men. Can we think of religious instructions of men that are not commands of Yahweh? How about praying to Mary or beatified patron saints? Where is that in the Bible?
Matthew 16:5 G2532 And G2064 [2having come G3588 G3101 1his disciples] G1473 G1519 unto G3588 the G4008 other side G1950 forgot G740 [2bread loaves G2983 1to take].
6 G3588 G1161 And G* Jesus G2036 said G1473 to them, G3708 See! G2532 and G4337 take heed G575 from G3588 the G2219 yeast G3588 of the G* Pharisees G2532 and G* Sadducees!
7 G3588 And they G1161 G1260 were arguing G1722 among G1438 themselves, G3004 saying G3754 that, G740 [2bread loaves G3756 1We did not take]. G2983
The disciples didn’t realize it until Jesus said something about yeast, but they had forgotten to bring bread. They missed the point of what Jesus was saying. Yeast is a fungus that spreads. It leavens bread.
Matthew 16:8 G1097 And knowing, G1161 G3588 G* Jesus G2036 said G1473 to them, G5100 Why G1260 are you arguing G1722 among G1438 yourselves, G3640 O ones of little belief, G3754 that G740 [2bread loaves G3756 1you did not take]? G2983
9 G3768 Not yet G3539 do you comprehend, G3761 nor G3421 remember G3588 the G4002 five G740 bread loaves G3588 of the G4000 five thousand, G2532 and G4214 how many G2894 hampers G2983 you took up?
10 G3761 Nor G3588 the G2033 seven G740 bread loaves G3588 of the G5070 four thousand, G2532 and G4214 how many G4711 baskets G2983 you took up?
Jesus wasn’t talking about food. He can feed them. He reminds them of the five thousand and the four thousand that he fed. He is not saying yeast is bad. He is not saying to eat unleavened bread only.
Matthew 16:11 G4459 How G3756 do you not G3539 comprehend G3754 that G3756 it is not G4012 concerning G740 bread G2036 I spoke G1473 to you G4337 to take heed G575 from G3588 the G2219 yeast G3588 of the G* Pharisees G2532 and G* Sadducees?
12 G5119 Then G4920 they perceived G3754 that G3756 he did not G2036 say G4337 to take heed G575 of G3588 the G2219 yeast G3588 of the G740 bread loaf, G235 but G575 of G3588 the G1322 teaching G3588 of the G* Pharisees G2532 and G* Sadducees.
The teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees are yeast figuratively speaking. Their teachings are a fungus that can cause bread to rise. But it is more than that. Yeast multiplies itself. One deceitful teaching of religious traditions multiplies into many religious traditions. Over and over the center of the message of the gospel gets infiltrated with traditions and false teachings, fermenting into false sins.
Have you ever noticed that tithing is not written in Pauls epistles. It is only noted once in the gospels by Jesus as a woe to the Pharisees for tithing mint, dill, and cumin, once in Luke as someone explaining that he keeps the laws, and once in Hebrews concerning the Levites. Why? Because at this time there was no levitical priesthood any longer. The priests were the Pharisees. And after 70 AD there was no temple. Jesus told them that the temple would be destroyed. The distortion of a yearly tithe to a weekly tithe took place during the Pharisaical period. Today’s churches are not the temple. It would be better to let people give according to what they want to give in order to “keep the church lights on”, than to force people to pay a tithe that is a tradition of men. If a pastor claims to be like a levite then he should not own property or possessions. Also, if the teachings are not godly and are just the traditions of men then people will not give offerings; this causes a reevaluation of the subject matter so that the church market will change to more life-giving instruction, rather than dead instruction and self-help sermons.
John 12:36 G2193 While G3588 [2the G5457 3light G2192 1you have], G4100 trust G1519 in G3588 the G5457 light! G2443 that G5207 [2sons G5457 3of light G1096 1you should become]. G3778 These things G2980 Jesus spoke, G3588 G* G2532 and G565 going forth, G2928 was hid G575 from G1473 them
37 G5118 [4such great G1161 1But G1473 2his G4592 5signs G4160 3doing] G1715 in front of G1473 them, G3756 they did not believe G4100 G1519 in G1473 him;
38 G2443 that G3588 the G3056 word G* of Isaiah G3588 the G4396 prophet G4137 should be fulfilled, G3739 which G2036 he said, G2962 O Lord, G5100 who G4100 believed G3588 G189 our report? G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G1023 arm G2962 of the Lord, G5100 to whom G601 was it uncovered?
It is interesting that people saw the miracles but didn’t believe the miracles.
Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
John 12:39 G1223 On account of G3778 this G3756 they were not able G1410 G4100 to believe, G3754 for G3825 again G2036 Isaiah said, G*
40 G5186 He has blinded G1473 their G3588 G3788 eyes, G2532 and G4456 calloused G1473 their G3588 G2588 heart; G2443 that G3361 they should not G1492 see G3588 with the G3788 eyes, G2532 and G3539 comprehend G3588 with the G2588 heart, G2532 and G1994 be turned, G2532 and G2390 I should heal G1473 them.
41 G3778 These things G2036 Isaiah said, G* G3753 when G1492 he beheld G3588 G1391 his glory, G1473 G2532 and G2980 spoke G4012 concerning G1473 him.
Callouses are thick hardened layers of skin that develop when the area of the body tries to protect itself from friction or pressure. What friction and pressure were these people experiencing that they calloused over their hearts? Their traditions were being pressured by the truth.
Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Yahweh knew that the people would not all hear and believe. The people were amazed by the miracles but they did not understand because the Pharisees had blinded the people with the teachings of the religious instructions of men. The people couldn’t tell what teachings were from men and which were from the Elohim. The people who submitted to the Pharisaical doctrines were lost. Some among the Pharisees believed the godly doctrines but they were afraid to speak up. Why? Tyranny.
John 12:42 G3676 Even G3305 however G2532 also G1537 [2from G3588 3the G758 4rulers G4183 1many] G4100 believed G1519 in G1473 him; G235 but G1223 because of G3588 the G* Pharisees G3756 they did not G3670 acknowledge it, G2443 that G3361 they should not G656 [2removed from the synagogue G1096 1be].
43 G25 For they loved G1063 G3588 the G1391 glory G3588 G444 of men G3123 rather G2260 than G3588 the G1391 glory G3588 G2316 of God
The word aposunagōgos means “excommunicated". How can the Pharisees excommunicate people from the synagogue? They made themselves leaders and rulers in the temple and the synagogues, but technically the Essenes and Sadducees had as much right to be in the synagogue as the Pharisees. It is simply because the Essenes left Jerusalem for the most part and the Sadducees didn’t play along with the Pharisees but instead became the political wing of the three religions. If one was excommunicated from the synagogue then they would be shunned in the local region. Others would be forced to not buy or sell with the excommunicated people. This was not a problem for the Essenes, but it was a problem for those who followed the Pharisees. And that is the key point. The Pharisees dominated the region with their religious beliefs and then forced everyone to do what they said. Over time people thought that this was the way the original temple was instituted. It was not.
Paul was not afraid of opposing the Pharisees. Paul was always ready to straighten out the incorrect teachings that were creeping into the church. The idea that everyone had to be circumcised was silly. The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost and infilled people from many nations. Then after that people were filled with the Holy Spirit who were not circumcised, like Cornelius and his household. Circumcision is not one of the commandments, it was given to Abraham before the law was written. Yet the point of Jesus coming for the nations as well as for Israel means that there does not need to be a separation between Jew and the non-Jew via circumcision. There is no need to circumcise any longer. While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch, some Pharisees came to town.
Acts 15:4 G3854 And having come G1161 G1519 unto G* Jerusalem, G588 they were gladly received G5259 by G3588 the G1577 assembly, G2532 and G3588 the G652 apostles G2532 and G3588 the G4245 elders, G312 and they announced G5037 G3745 as much as G3588 G2316 God G4160 did G3326 with G1473 them.
5 G1817 And there rose up G1161 G5100 some G3588 of the ones G575 from G3588 the G139 sect G3588 of the G* believing Pharisees, G4100 G3004 saying G3754 that, G1163 It is necessary G4059 to circumcise G1473 them, G3853 also to exhort them G5037 G5083 to give heed to G3588 the G3551 law G* of Moses.
6 G4863 And there were gathered together G1161 G3588 the G652 apostles G2532 and G3588 the G4245 elders G1492 to know G4012 concerning G3588 G3056 this matter. G3778
These Pharisees were of the sect of believing Pharisees. This tells us that by this time there were some Pharisees that did in fact believe on Jesus. They were separating themselves from the original dogmatic Pharisaical order, but they still had some traditions of men that they needed to stop preaching. As we noted before, it is not the laws and Jesus, it is Jesus without the laws, and those ideas die hard. Obviously this started so much contention at Antioch where Paul and Barnabas established a church that Paul got rather feisty over it.
Galatians 5:12 (ISV) I wish that those who are upsetting you would castrate themselves!
Galatians 5:12 I wish those who unsettle and confuse you would [go all the way and] cut themselves off!
The Amplified Bible. (1987). (Ga 5:12). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Yikes. Paul seems a bit mad. Well we know that it is really important to get it right in the church and Paul was doing his best to establish a non-sin conscious church. Paul spent fourteen years in Essene schooling, and apparently a few other Pharisees who believed on Jesus did as well, but maybe these particular Pharisees did not go to Essene school, and did not understand the fullness and completion of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, which was the fulfillment of the law.
After this meeting regarding circumcision, Paul and Barnabas along with Judas/Barsabas and Silas went to Antioch. At some point Peter goes to Antioch too.
Galatians 2:11 G3753 But when G1161 G2064 Peter came G* G1519 to G* Antioch G2596 in person, G4383 G1473 I opposed him, G436 G3754 for G2607 he was for being condemned. G1510.7.3
12 G4253 [2before G3588 3the G1063 1For] G2064 coming G5100 of some G575 from G* James, G3326 [2with G3588 3the G1484 4Gentiles G4906 1he was eating]; G3753 but when G1161 G2064 they came, G5288 he kept back G2532 and G873 separated G1438 himself, G5399 fearing G3588 the ones G1537 of G4061 the circumcision.
13 G2532 And G4942 [5acted the hypocrite with G1473 6him G2532 1also G3588 2the G3062 3rest G* 4of the Jews], G5620 so that G2532 even G* Barnabas G4879 was led away by G1473 them G3588 in the G5272 hypocrisy.
14 G235 But G3753 when G1492 I saw G3754 that G3756 he did not G3716 walk uprightly G4314 to G3588 the G225 truth G3588 of the G2098 good news, G2036 I said G3588 G* to Peter G1715 in front of G3956 all, G1487 If G1473 you, G2450 [2Jewish-like G5224 1being], G1483 [2like the nations G2198 1live] G2532 and G3756 not G* like a Jew, G5100 why G3588 [2the G1484 3nations G315 1do you compel] G* to Judaize?
Isn’t this what the Pharisees of Jesus’ day complain to the disciples about? Peter should have remembered this. It seems that the believing Pharisees persuaded Peter to separate himself from the non-Jews. Paul calls these people ‘the ones of the circumcision’, so apparently these were people who were also pushing non-Jews to circumcise themselves, as well as to not eat with non-Jews. Paul’s point to Peter was more about the new dispensation, which exists in the fulfillment of the law by Jesus. Peter wasn’t living like a Jew. In fact Peter probably never lived like a Jew, being from Galilee, he was looked down upon by the Jews and Pharisees of Jerusalem. Now Paul asks why Peter is compelling the nations to live like Jews or Judaize. Imagine, Pharisees coming to Antioch and arguing the same hierarchal doctrines that they had berated the disciples of Jesus with.
Why was Antioch Syria so important? Antioch was the center of Christianity. Later in the third and fourth centuries, a theological seminary was established there. We see that Paul’s focus on Antioch had a major purpose, one that he may not have recognized. Paul had to correct the believing Pharisees and other disciples so that the foundation of Christianity would be established in the completion of the law, by Jesus Christ.
Barnabas went to Antioch first then went to Tarsus to find Paul. Both men went back to Antioch for one year to establish the Church there.
Act 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Act 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Who were the prophets and teachers? We know one was an Essene, another was Paul himself.
Act 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Acts 13:1 G1510.7.6 And there were G1161 G5100 some G1722 in G* Antioch, G2596 according to G3588 the G1510.6 [2being there G1577 1assembly], G4396 prophets G2532 and G1320 teachers, G3739 both G5037 G* Barnabas G2532 and G* Simeon, G3588 the one G2564 called G* Niger, G2532 and G* Lucius G3588 the G* Cyrenian, G* and Manaen G* [2of Herod G3588 3the G5076 4tetrarch G4939 1a companion], G2532 and G* Saul.
Herod the Tetrarch was the son of Herod the Great. Herod the great died around 4 BCE and that is when Herod the Tetrarch came to rule, until 39 AD. Here is Manahem’s story.
Antiquities 15:10:5 5. (373) Now there was one of these Essenes, whose name was Manahem, who had this testimony, that he not only conducted his life after an excellent manner, but had the foreknowledge of future events given him by God also. This man once saw Herod when he was a child, and going to school, and saluted him as king of the Jews; (374) but he, thinking that either he did not know him, or that he was in jest, put him in mind that he was but a private man; but Manahem smiled to himself, and clapped him on his backside with his hand, and said, “However that be, thou wilt be king, and wilt begin thy reign happily, for God finds thee worthy of it; and do thou remember the blows that Manahem hath given thee, as being a signal of the change of thy fortune; (375) and truly this will be the best reasoning for thee, that thou love justice [towards men], and piety towards God, and clemency towards thy citizens; yet do I know how thy whole conduct will be, that thou wilt not be such a one, (376) for thou wilt excel all men in happiness, and obtain an everlasting reputation, but wilt forget piety and righteousness; and these crimes will not be concealed from God at the conclusion of thy life, when thou wilt find that he will be mindful of them, and punish thee for them.” (377) Now at that time Herod did not at all attend to what Manahem said, as having no hopes of such advancement; but a little afterward, when he was so fortunate as to be advanced to the dignity of king, and was in the height of his dominion, he sent for Manahem, and asked him how long he should reign. (378) Manahem did not tell him the full length of his reign; wherefore, upon that silence of his, he asked him further, whether he should reign ten years or not? He replied, “Yes, twenty, nay, thirty years;” but did not assign the just determinate limit of his reign. Herod was satisfied with these replies, and gave Manahem his hand, and dismissed him; and from that time he continued to honor all the Essenes. (379) We have thought it proper to relate these facts to our readers, how strange soever they be, and to declare what hath happened among us, because many of these Essenes have by their excellent virtue, been thought worthy of this knowledge of divine revelations.
Josephus, F., & Whiston, W. (1987). The works of Josephus: complete and unabridged (p. 422). Peabody: Hendrickson.
Josephus feels it is important to relate this story, and now, knowing that Manaen/Manahem prophesied of Herod’s reign as king/Tetrarch and was a friend to Herod. The english versions that say Manahem was “brought up” with Herod misinterpret the word suntrophos as “people living together”. The word is a compound word, sun meaning “along with” or “together with”, and trophos meaning “nourisher” or “nurse". Manahem was a spiritual counselor to Herod because as Josephus notes Manahem prophesied to Herod that he would be king and that he would reign over thirty years. This does not mean Manahem lived in the same house as Herod. It also does not mean that Herod loved all Essenes, like John and Jesus, although he honored the Essenes. But Manahem had been a spiritual prophet regarding Herod. Notice that Manahem does not act like a hierarchical Pharisee but a humble friend.
Now we see how the sin conscious Pharisees and the Essenes meet again and disagree in the first church in Antioch Syria. The Pharisaical hierarchy never ends. The believing Pharisees were still sin conscious and brought with them the doctrines of men to Antioch. We have all seen arrogant egotistical prideful people who believe they have a right to walk into a church group and correct everyone according to their own defective beliefs. Paul was not allowing it. The dividing line had been drawn in Antioch. The Essenes were not leaving the church but continuing to teach and prophesy in it. Paul and Barnabas straighten out the errors of the traditions of men and go to Jerusalem to obtain letters so that these hierarchal believing Pharisees do not take over the church and distort the truth. Again our administration is not ‘keep the law and add Jesus’ but instead ‘Jesus only’.
The plan of Satanas has always been to develop a hierarchal order that seems godly, but then infuse it with traditions of men so that in time no one can tell the difference between what the Elohim says and what the religious men say. If people follow men, then there will be an adherence to the religious instructions of men. In the Body of Christ there is no hierarchal structure. Jesus said that the greatest leaders must be the greatest servants, Mark 10:44. There are no traditions of men that people must adhere to. One can eat and drink with whoever one wants in the name of Jesus Christ. One can wash hands or not, one can pick corn on the Sabbath, or one can heal and do good on the Sabbath. We do not have to divide ourselves for the sake of Christ, instead we are to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Satanas so as to not let their fungus get into our lives. Once we recognize the hierarchy then we don’t have to be enslaved by the hierarchy. We simply live apart from the hierarchy, as the Essenes did. It is time to end the hierarchal rule in the church.
