Skip to content

Present day Quote by The Church Fathers

“For the tradition of the elders themselves, which they pretended to observe from the law, was contrary to the law given by Moses. Wherefore also Esaias declares: “Thy dealers mix the wine with water,” showing that the elders were in the habit of mingling a watered tradition with the simple command…” quote by The Church Fathers
Download Open image
““For the tradition of the elders themselves, which they pretended to observe from the law, was contrary to the law given by Moses. Wherefore also Esaias declares: “Thy dealers mix the wine with water,” showing that the elders were in the habit of mingling a watered tradition with the simple command of God; that is, they set up a spurious law, and one contrary to the [true] law; as also the Lord made plain, when He said to them, “Why do ye transgress the commandment of God, for the sake of your tradition?” For not only by actual transgression did they set the law of God at nought, mingling the wine with water; but they also set up their own law in opposition to it, which is termed, even to the present day, the pharisaical. In this [law] they suppress certain things, add others, and interpret others, again, as they think proper, which their teachers use, each one in particular; and desiring to uphold these traditions, they were unwilling to be subject to the law of God, which prepares them for the coming of Christ. But they did even blame the Lord for healing on the Sabbath-days, which, as I have already observed, the law did not prohibit. For””

The Church Fathers

About This Quote

Source Religious Text: New Testament, Mark 7:1-13

Traditional customs can become distorted, mixing with pure law and creating false practices that oppose original divine intent.

In simple terms: Traditions may be corrupted, mixing with true law.

Key Takeaway

Distinguish true teachings from altered traditions.

Themes

religion tradition authority interpretation

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

theological philosophical

When to use this quote

  • church leadership
  • personal faith decisions
  • legal reforms
  • educational curricula

Key Concepts

spiritual integrity critical thinking historical context

Questions to Reflect On

  • What traditions in your life might be mixed with original intent?
  • How do you discern authentic teachings?
A Different Perspective

Changing traditions can be deeply entrenched and resistant.

4.1 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by The Church Fathers

Explore all 241 The Church Fathers quotes

More Present day quotes

Browse all 385 Present day quotes