Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Matthew 7:29

ἦν γάρ διδάσκων. The analytic imperfect indicates vividly the continuance of the action, ‘He was teaching,’ not as A.V. ‘taught.’ The thought of the listeners was: ‘While He was teaching we felt all along that He was a lawgiver, not merely an interpreter of the law.’

ὡς οἱ γραμματεῖς αὐτῶν. Whose highest boast it was that they never spoke save in the words of a Rabbi.

οἱ γραμματεῖς. Sopherim = either (1) ‘those who count’ (Heb. saphar); because the Scribes counted each word and letter of the Scriptures; or (2) ‘those occupied with books’ (Heb. sepher). The Scribes, as an organised body, originated with Ezra, who was in a special sense the ‘Sopher’ or Scribe. This order of Sopherim, strictly so called, terminated B.C. 300. Their successors in our Lord’s time were usually termed Tanaim, ‘those who repeat, i.e. teach the Law.’ They are called ‘lawyers’ (ch. Matthew 22:35; Luke 5:17; Acts 5:34), also ‘the wise,’ ‘Elders,’ and ‘Rabbis.’

A scribe’s education began as early as in his fifth year. At thirteen he became a ‘son of the law,’ Bar-mitsvah. If deemed fit, he became a disciple. At thirty he was admitted as a teacher, having tablets and a key given him. See note, ch. Matthew 16:19. His functions were various; he transcribed the law (here the greatest accuracy was demanded); he expounded the law, always with reference to authority—he acted as judge in family litigation, and was employed in drawing up various legal documents, such as marriage-contracts, writings of divorce, &c. (See Kitto’s Cycl. Bib. Lit. and Smith’s Bib. Dict. Art. ‘Scribes.’)

The alliance between Scribes and Pharisees was very close, each taught that the law could be interpreted, ‘fenced round’ and aided by tradition, in opposition to the Sadducees, who adhered to the strict letter of the written law.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Matthew 7:29

Old Testament

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