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The Significance of the Oral Tradition

Text: Matthew 15 : 1 - 20

How should the Jews have regarded the oral tradition of the elders? Let us ponder the following thoughts. Three things may be highlighted.

1. As Useful commentary

Commentaries are not without value. They have their uses. However, they must not be used uncritically. Certainly, they must not be regarded as on par with the Written Law. As commentaries they could provide insights into how the Written Law may be interpreted, appreciated and applied. However, men’s insights being what they are must be regarded as fallible.

2. As of Great Historical significance

As far as they can be traced, the oral law should be regarded for its historical value. Each set of comments would represent the thought level of that particular generation. Much can be learned about that particular generation. However to regard it as of timeless or eternal significance is something that cannot be done. Only the Written Law of God transcends time.

3. As a Great Heritage

In order for the Oral Law to survive so many generations, all involved must have worked very hard to preserve the traditions. The effort alone must be deeply appreciated. However, a heritage must be distinguished from the nature of the Written Law. The former has to do with mere preservation. Each generation will value what has been emphasized by their teachers. The Written Law stands apart, free and distinct, from the oral tradition of the elders.

THE APPLICATION OF THE ORAL LAW

One major problem that existed between Jesus and the scribes and the Pharisees had to do with the limitations of the tradition of the elders. Let us consider the attitude and approach employed by the scribes and the Pharisees, as represented in this statement.

“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition
of the elders? For they do not wash their hands
when they eat bread.”
MATTHEW 15:2

1. More than hygiene was involved!

At first glance, it may appear that the disciples of Jesus were people who needed to improve their sense of hygiene! On closer inspection, and with a deeper understanding of the traditions of the elders, we know that the scribes and Pharisees had more on their mind than mere hygiene.

a) Ritualistic washing was in mind

The tradition of the elders insisted that an elaborate ritual of hand washing must be observed. Any other way of hand washing is frowned upon. The disciples of Jesus may thus have washed their hands before their meals, but if they had not been taught how to keep the traditional rituals, they are still considered unclean!

b) Ritualistic religion

The scribes and Pharisees had effectively reduced the religion of their forefathers into mere rituals. The slavish performance of these rituals was considered true religion! They often ignored other aspects of their faith in favour of observance of rituals.

2. Demands on all to keep the tradition of the elders

The scribes and Pharisees rounded on the disciples of Jesus for failure to observe their traditions!

a) In the first place

The scribes and Pharisees must know that many did not keep their traditions as they observed them! The common people had no time to learn their very involved laws. The Sadducees had their own interpretation of the laws. They disagreed on many points with the Pharisees. They were essentially rivals.

The fact is that the oral tradition was convoluted and sometimes even contradictory! Some of their traditions were in direct contradiction of the Written Law.

b) The lack of divine authority

Did the scribes and Pharisees have “the authority” to insist that everybody must adhere to their interpretation of the Written Law? In Jesus’ understanding – NO! He had already showed that the tradition of the elders had not interpreted the Written Law correctly (Cf. Matthew 5). As far as He was concerned, the tradition of the elders did not have divine authority that is found in the divine Written Law!

THE WRITTEN LAW OF GOD UPHELD!

There was only one law that had divine imprimatur – that was the Written Law. Jesus consistently upheld the written Scriptures.

“He answered and said to them,
‘Why do you also transgress the commandments of God
because of your tradition?'”
MATTHEW 15:3

The ritual washing of hands was considered an important law as far as the scribes and Pharisees were concerned! Jesus refused to acknowledge this ritual as on par with the “commandments of God”.

In this text, we see Jesus making a very clear and sharp distinction between the tradition of the elders and the Written Law! Traditions can end up as contrary to the commandments of God! Blind obedience to the traditions of the elders can be dangerous!