NT-GOSPEL.filter - rwp Matthew:15:7:

rwp@Mark:7:9 @{Full well do ye reject the commandment of God that ye may keep your traditions} (\kals atheteite tn entoln tou theou hina tn paradosin humn trste\). One can almost see the scribes withering under this terrible arraignment. It was biting sarcasm that cut to the bone. The evident irony should prevent literal interpretation as commendation of the Pharisaic pervasion of God's word. See my _The Pharisees and Jesus_ for illustrations of the way that they placed this oral tradition above the written law. See on ¯Matthew:15:7|.

rwp@Matthew:15:7 @{Well did Isaiah prophesy of you} (\kals eprophteusen peri hmn Esaias\). There is sarcasm in this pointed application of Isaiah's words (Isaiah:29:13|) to these rabbis. He "beautifully pictured" them. The portrait was to the very life, "teaching as their doctrines the commandments of men." They were indeed far from God if they imagined that God would be pleased with such gifts at the expense of duty to one's parents.