As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, (12:38)
Jesus’ destiny gradually rides speedily like flowing of water. It means that Jesus’ clash against his enemy get more serious with the passage of time. Jesus had already faced unpleasant atmosphere after his triumphal entry to Jerusalem where he cleared the temple and faced theological castigation from the Jewish religious leaders. Now Jesus’ candid and one-side criticism begins. However it cannot be compared with previous one in its strength.
The criticism is directed against the Scribes. They were law scholars who took the role of controlling the entire theological foundation of Judaism. The argument whether the religious leaders practically wore a specific robe (talit) or not is still going on. According to scholars, it is an ostentatious tassel of the scribes’ robe or the Sabbath dress which only the rich could afford to wear. However, it is clear that the dress reveals the dignity of privileged class just as a lawyer puts on the gown of a judge.
There are different opinions about a pastor’s gown in the worship service. I prefer wearing a gown if possible. It is because the pastor in worship service is not a natural person but a technical person entrusted in doing a special role as the player wear a specific dress in order to do a certain role.
In verse 38, ‘..to walk around in flowing robes’ does not mean that wearing such dress is wrong. It reveals one’s desire for fame which works in human. A desire for fame cannot be easily overcome. People pretend that they have no interest in it at all but in most cases they inwardly cling to this desire for fame. Jesus taught them to watch out for such arrogant people. We can imagine how shameful it had been for the scribes and priests on hearing of Jesus’ word.
Jesus’ destiny gradually rides speedily like flowing of water. It means that Jesus’ clash against his enemy get more serious with the passage of time. Jesus had already faced unpleasant atmosphere after his triumphal entry to Jerusalem where he cleared the temple and faced theological castigation from the Jewish religious leaders. Now Jesus’ candid and one-side criticism begins. However it cannot be compared with previous one in its strength.
The criticism is directed against the Scribes. They were law scholars who took the role of controlling the entire theological foundation of Judaism. The argument whether the religious leaders practically wore a specific robe (talit) or not is still going on. According to scholars, it is an ostentatious tassel of the scribes’ robe or the Sabbath dress which only the rich could afford to wear. However, it is clear that the dress reveals the dignity of privileged class just as a lawyer puts on the gown of a judge.
There are different opinions about a pastor’s gown in the worship service. I prefer wearing a gown if possible. It is because the pastor in worship service is not a natural person but a technical person entrusted in doing a special role as the player wear a specific dress in order to do a certain role.
In verse 38, ‘..to walk around in flowing robes’ does not mean that wearing such dress is wrong. It reveals one’s desire for fame which works in human. A desire for fame cannot be easily overcome. People pretend that they have no interest in it at all but in most cases they inwardly cling to this desire for fame. Jesus taught them to watch out for such arrogant people. We can imagine how shameful it had been for the scribes and priests on hearing of Jesus’ word.
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