[Beloved Levinite]

The Pharasees were the most devoted & scripturally educated of God’s chosen people, were smart enough to know that only God could forgive sin.

[Natural Law]

"The Pharasees were the most devoted & scripturally educated of God’s chosen people, were smart enough to know that only God could forgive sin."

Well, remember they were arguing with Jesus who actually authored the work. In any biblical trivia contest I would bet on Jesus over the Pharisees.

[ArrogantBustard]

Let's try to stay on topic, shall we?

John 20: 21He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. 22When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. 23Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

Act 1:24And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Seems pretty clear to me. And that's all that matters, right? Perspicuity, right? Private interpretation, right?

Is there an infallible interpreter of Scripture on this forum?

[Campion]

They were so "devoted" and "scripturally educated" that they were "smart enough" not to recognize the Messiah when he came.

Re-read Matthew 15:1-20 and chapter 23, and get back to us on Jesus' high praise of the Pharisees.