Part 204. Woes

Jesus declared woe to you hypocrits referring to Pharisees and teachers (or experts) in the law in two excoriating passages reported in Matthew and Luke. He attacked the uncaring attitude of the Pharisees and their exhibition of superiority and smug self-satisfaction. The teachers of the law were criticised for their interpretation of the law, placing unrealistic expectations on people as well as inventing dubious loopholes.  In making his comments Jesus alienated two key establishment groups.

In Matthew Jesus is quoted as using the formula you have heard it said....but I tell you the truth to reinterpret the law to make its application less onerous. Thus Jesus engaged in a thorough condemnation of the teachers of the law, but not the law itself.

Jesus claimed he had come not to destroy the law but to fulfil it. He also said that all the Law and Prophets hang on the commandments to love God and love your neighbour.

The law is the old dispensation, Jesus the new covenant. The law is to be understood through the lens of love, not through the lens of rules and legalism, through the principle of love set out in the Great Commandments. Love is paramount, rules secondary.  Love conquers all. To live a life based on love is to challenge systemic injustice driven by self-interest, greed and the exercise of power.