[DallasMike]

Someone here, it seems, has read the Bible and someone has not. Those of us familiar with the Scriptures recognise the beginning of Matt 23 when we read it.

I recognized it, of course, and I'm glad that you do, too.

So how do you square your interpretation of Matthew 23 with Mark 7, which offers a demonstration of Jesus and his disciples not obeying a teaching of the Pharisees?

Mark 7

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" (emphasis added)

...

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men --the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

Was Jesus contradicting what he said in Matthew 23? Since there are many more verses like Mark 7 than like Matthew 23, perhaps you need to read Matthew 23 in light of these other passages. It's obvious that Jesus promoted obedience to the teachings of the religious leaders, but only to the point that these teachings were in accordance with the scriptures. I'm all in favor of church tradition, too, but only those that do not violate the scriptures.

Break's over. More tonight.

Thanks for making my point for me.

[ArrogantBustard]

You apparently didn't read the rest of Mark 7, in which it is revealed that some of their oral teachings directly contradict written scripture, by twisting its meaning. In Mark 7, He is rebuking the Pharisees for grossly abusing their authority ... Even as in Matt 23 He is warning His followers about the Pharisees. No contradiction at all.