Burnishing Bigotry - 3rd edition

*In Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus over-rides the Old Testament law demanding enmity with all those
from the land of Canaan (see Deuteronomy 20:17).
*In Matthew 16:6-12 Jesus generally encourages a lessened respect for ―the yeast of the
Pharisees‖ – namely, their strict adherence to conservative interpretations of the Old Testament. (!)
*In Matthew 19:29 Jesus indirectly encourages a violation of the Commandment to honor one's
mother & father (see Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17 & Leviticus 19:3).
*In Matthew 22:24-30 Jesus diminishes the sacredness of Deuteronomy 25:5.
*In Matthew 22:31-32 Jesus denounces the resurrection from the dead (!) – a well-known
pharisaic belief in Jesus‘ day.
*In Matthew 23:9 Jesus could be construed to encourage at least the indirect dishonoring of
one's father (see Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17, Deuteronomy 5:16 & Leviticus 20:9).
*In Matthew 23:16-22 Jesus seems to contravene the Commandment to swear by God's name
(see Deuteronomy 10:20).
*In Matthew 24:2 Jesus generally shows disrespect for the Temple (see Leviticus 19:30).
*In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus evidences an inverse criticism (in verse 26) of the Old Testament
regulation prohibiting lending with interest (see Leviticus 25:37 & Deuteronomy 23:20).
Thirdly, note that Jesus radically & purposefully expanded Old Testament regulations
(essentially making them more absolute &/or more inclusive than tradition demanded) …
Consider the following proofs thereof:
*In Matthew 5:13 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law requiring that sacrifices be salted (see
Leviticus 2:13).
*In Matthew 5:21-22a Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law that stated ―do not murder‖ (see
Exodus 20:13 & Deuteronomy 5:17).
*In Matthew 5:22b Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law that stated ―do not slander‖ (see
Leviticus 25:17).
*In Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law prohibiting adultery (see Exodus
20:14, Deuteronomy 5:18 & Leviticus 18:20).
*In Matthew 5:31-32 & Matthew 19:3-9 Jesus radicalizes the Old Testament law related to
divorce (see Deuteronomy 24:1-4 … Note as well that the phrase ―except on grounds of unchastity‖ is
fully absent in the parallel verses of Mark 10:11-12 & Luke 16:18).
*In Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws related to swearing (see Leviticus
19:12, Numbers 30:2-3, Deuteronomy 23:2+24 & Deuteronomy 10:20).
*In Matthew 5:43-44 Jesus radically expands the implications of the Old Testament requirement
to ―love your neighbor‖ (see Leviticus 19:18; doing so in perfect harmony with the apparent intent of
Exodus 23:4-5).
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