Scribes

Experts in the understanding and study of the law of Moses. Scribes had political power in NT times, and sat on the Sanhedrin. They were also referred to as lawyers and teachers of the law. They opposed Jesus Christ, who condemned their hypocrisy.

The duties of scribes

Writing records, legal contracts, letters and accounts

Advising the king

2 Kings 18:18 parallel Isaiah 36:3; 2 Kings 19:2; 1 Chronicles 27:32

Conscripting people to the army

2 Kings 25:19 parallel Jeremiah 52:25

Examples of scribes who are mentioned by name

Shaphan

2 Kings 22:8 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:18

Baruch

Jeremiah 36:4–32

Ezra

After the exile, scribes became copyists and interpreters of the law: Ezra 7:6; Nehemiah 8:1–4, Nehemiah 8:9

Clans or families of scribes

1 Chronicles 2:55

The office of priest and scribe

Up to the time of the Babylonian exile only priests were allowed to be scribes: Ezra 7:6; Nehemiah 8:9, Nehemiah 12:26

Scribes had political power in NT times and sat on the Sanhedrin

By this time, scribes were also referred to as teachers of the law'' andlawyers'': Matthew 16:21 parallels Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22; Matthew 26:3 parallels Mark 14:1, Luke 22:2

Scribes opposed Jesus Christ

Matthew 21:15; Luke 19:47 parallels Matthew 21:15, Mark 11:18

But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

Jesus was teaching at the temple every day, but the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people were intent on killing Him.

Jesus Christ condemmed the scribes' hypocrisy

Matthew 23:27–28 See also Matthew 23:1–7 parallels Mark 12:38–39, Luke 20:45–46

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.