Tradition Exalted by the Jews

Previous to the time of Christ, and after the Lord’s prophets ceased to appear, the Jews became very fond of tradition, exalting it even above the authority of the Scriptures. Many instances of this kind are given in the Gospels. Christ sharply reproved the Jews on this point. There was no requirement of God more abused by tradition than the Sabbath; indeed, it was greatly perverted from its original design by this means.ChSa 34.1

Dr. Justin Edwards, in his Sabbath Manual, pages 214, 215, gives the following list: “They enumerated about forty primary works, which they said were forbidden to be done on the Sabbath. Under each of these were numerous secondary works, which they said were also forbidden.... Among the primary works which were forbidden, were plowing, sowing, reaping, winnowing, cleaning, grinding, etc. Under the head of grinding was included the breaking or dividing of things which were before united.ChSa 34.2

“Another of their traditions was, that, as threshing on the Sabbath was forbidden, the bruising of things, which was a species of threshing, was also forbidden. Of course, it was a violation of the Sabbath to walk on green grass; for that would bruise or thresh it. So, as a man might not hunt on the Sabbath, he might not catch a flea; for that was a species of hunting.ChSa 34.3

“As a man might not carry a burden on the Sabbath, he might not carry water to a thirsty animal; for that was a species of burden; but he might pour water into a trough, and lead the animal to it.... Yet, should a sheep fall into a pit, they would readily lift him out, and bear him to a place of safety....ChSa 34.4

“They said a man might minister to the sick for the purpose of relieving their distress, but not for the purpose of healing their diseases. He might put a covering on a diseased eye, or anoint it with eye-salve for the purpose of easing the pain, but not to cure the eye.”ChSa 35.1

These foolish traditions, when carried out made the Sabbath a burdensome yoke instead of the merciful institution which God designed it should be, a delight and blessing to his creatures. How wonderfully this explains many of the references to the Sabbath in the Gospels!ChSa 35.2

The Jews found fault with Christ because he paid no respect to these traditions. But he found fault with them for making the commandments of God of none effect by their tradition. Matthew 15:4-9. The Pharisees accused him of breaking the Sabbath, because he healed the sick (Matthew 12:9-14), cast out devils (Luke 4:33-36), gave sight to the blind (John 9:1-16). Permitted his disciples to pluck and rub out the wheat heads and eat (Matthew 12:1-8), and directed a man to carry his bed-a burden like a cloak or mat (Matthew 9:1-6)-on the Sabbath day.ChSa 35.3