"Traditions" in New Testament?

[Jim_Baur]

I should know this, but I do not.

It is not homework!

When the Jews state the tradition of washing their hands, no or not much work on the Sabbath (could only walk so far), and washing their cups and bowls, are these biblical or are they traditions not found in the sacred writings of their day?

THANKS!

 

[patrick457]

I should know this, but I do not.

It is not homework!

When the Jews state the tradition of washing their hands, no or not much work on the Sabbath (could only walk so far), and washing their cups and bowls, are these biblical or are they traditions not found in the sacred writings of their day?

THANKS!

Not in the sense of ‘directly written in the Scriptures’.

 

[Jim_Baur]

If I have understood you correctly, the answer is no.

If you know, from where did they come?

Or any additional ideas and help!!!

 

[Dave_Noonan]

I should know this, but I do not.

It is not homework!

When the Jews state the tradition of washing their hands, no or not much work on the Sabbath (could only walk so far), and washing their cups and bowls, are these biblical or are they traditions not found in the sacred writings of their day?

THANKS!

As for the Sabbath see Exodus 20:10, Exodus 35:2. Figuring out how far one could walk before walking constitutes “work” seems to me a natural interpretive outgrowth of the law.

Washing regulations observed by the Pharisees would be related in some way to understandings of the laws of ritual purity and impurity (such as are found in Leviticus) but have less of a direct connection to scripture.

 

[Jim_Baur]

Thanks!!!

 

[bogeydogg]

I should know this, but I do not.

It is not homework!

When the Jews state the tradition of washing their hands, no or not much work on the Sabbath (could only walk so far), and washing their cups and bowls, are these biblical or are they traditions not found in the sacred writings of their day?

THANKS!

The washing of hands and cups and bowl and Sabbath are all part of the Law and thus are Sacred Tradition. However the point Christ was making about these things was twofold.

1. The mere washing of hands and cups and bowls and Sabbath observance does not make the heart that does not repent clean because it is the uncleanness within that damns and not the uncleanness without.
2. The Rabbis had piled all sorts of additional rules onto the Sacred Tradition and called these equal to it. However this makes the Law less severe not more so. For example Jesus tells them that the simple fact that having not physically broken the bond of marriage by fornicating with a harlot does not mean they are not adulterers. Such an understanding of the Law is shallow. The Law demands fealty of the heart not merely of the flesh and so a man may restrain his flesh and still be damned. In the same way a man may count his steps on the Sabbath and not gather his eggs and not move his furniture but if he does not repent he is not forgiven and is going to Hell.

The shallow observer of the Law (the Pharisees and Lawyers) thought to make themselves righteous by the merest of observances but Christ commands an obedience of the heart that is beyond our ability but given us through Him by grace. It was this very surrender to Him they would not give and so could not be saved.

God Bless

 

[Jim_Baur]

Thanks!!!