Jesus used the Scriptures as the base for his beliefs and values. When accused falsely, He would often quote the scriptures, or he would ask, “have you not read in the Scriptures…” Jesus repeatedly used Scriptures throughout His encounters with the Jewish leaders trying to help them see that their zeal was misdirected. The most authentic source of evidence is the Scriptures and the power of Jesus’ words was based in the truth found therein. Consider the following examples.
1. When Jesus was accused of eating with the tax collectors He told them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matt. 9:12-13). This was a quote from Hosea 6:6. Jesus is elevating the Scriptures by shifting their minds from tradition to the text.
2. When Jesus responded to their complaints about the disciples eating with unwashed hands, he asked, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.” Jesus pointed out that their traditions were disregarding the commandments of God when they planned on giving any profit as a gift to God and excuse it for not meeting their parents’ needs. The quote about honoring the parents is taken from Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16; the other quote is taken from Exodus 21:17.
3. The conflict between Jesus and the chief priests and scribes continues when they ask Jesus to stop the children from shouting out their praises “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:15). Jesus answered, “Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” (Matt. 21:16). This was a quote from Psalm 8:2 that rebukes them because children had recognized what the older people had failed to understand about the Messiah.