11:44
As we see, there are no holds barred in Jesus’ criticisms. Today we always place great emphasis on being polite and respectful in debates and arguments, and there is, of course, merit in this. But sometimes we are far too nice, to the extent of not calling sin what is sin, and not calling dangerous error what is dangerous error. There is a time to be restrained, and there is a time to be blunt.
Why the reference to unmarked graves? Well, under the Law you became unclean if you touched a dead body or a grave (Num 19:16). So if a grave was unmarked then someone could easily become unclean without knowing it. Now the Pharisees considered themselves to be the height of righteousness, leaders in the field. In fact, far from learning how to please God, people who came into contact with the Pharisees were likely to learn the complete opposite.
11:45,46
The lawyers were those who were experts in the Law of Moses. One of them told Jesus that He was in effect criticising them as well when he criticised the Pharisees. Oh, I bet he wish he had never spoken, for now Jesus will turn His wrath upon the experts in the Law. What should the lawyers do, and what did they actually do? They should have helped people to follow God. What they in fact did was to lay burden after burden upon them, and offering no help whatsoever. In truth they had absolutely no comprehension of what the Law was about. Now we need to take this message to heart. For it is easy for us to become so “doctrinally pure” that we completely miss the heart of God.
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