The Savior’s words addressed to the Scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of His day, have reference to the theories and opinions that had been formed and handed down from the past that were not based upon the inspired testimony of the Prophets and the faithful servants of the Lord. Many of these teachings were in direct opposition to the instructions contained in the Holy Scriptures, and because they were being set forth by those who had been appointed to teach the people the true understanding of the message of the Lord, they were received as being true. In this way the commandment of the Lord had been made void. The Apostle’s words had reference to the teachings of the Scriptures and also to his own instructions, which he had presented to those that he was addressing. In other words, there are true traditions and false traditions. All of those which are in harmony with the teachings of the Divine Word are true, and all those which are not in harmony are false and not to be accepted. We cannot be particular in our efforts to get the truth.
Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast Contradictions Series
Part I: Does the Bible Contradict Itself?
Part II: Does the Bible Contradict Itself?
Part III: Does God Contradict Himself?
Part IV: Why So Many Contradictions Surrounding Jesus’ Resurrection?
Part V: What Profound Secret Does Creation Reveal?
Part VI: Do the Accounts of Jesus’ Life Contradict Themselves?
Does the Apostle Paul Contradict Himself? (Part I)
Does the Apostle Paul Contradict Himself? (Part II)
Paul or Matthias: Who Was the Real 12th Apostle?
Did the Apostle Paul Contradict Jesus?
Is God REALLY Omnipotent?
Does God REALLY Require Human Sacrifices?
Does God Ever Tempt Us?
