Page 124 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

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their problems were, Jesus was able to tailor his message to fit this special group. For example,
when the Pharisees and Scribes confronted him about the Pharisaic custom of washing hands,

Jesus quoted the Scripture and used the Rabbinic Hebrew word “Qorban” in his preaching to

them (Mark 7:1-16). Jesus used their terminology and interpreted the Scripture, indicating that

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“Jesus met his opponents on their own ground.”
While in the temple court preaching, Jesus again employed parables and expounded the Scripture.

His style was polemical and confrontational toward his opponents. When he was challenged by

the blunt question, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this

authority?” (Matt. 21: 23), Jesus responded with a counter question: “I will also ask you one

question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things”

(Matt. 21:24). Such a response indicates the polemical nature in Jesus’ preaching when speaking

to the religious authorities. Jesus followed up his question with two parables: the Parable of the

Two Sons and the Parable of the Tenants. In general, Jesus used scriptural interpretation and a

primary defense.

The temple preaching against the opponents testifies to Jesus’ ability to adapt his message to his

audience. Starting from their familiar ground, he moves quickly to the deep meaning. The

adaptive characteristics of Jesus’ preaching to his opponents are an amalgamation of parabolic,

scriptural, polemical, and confrontational techniques. The sermonic movement was also

inductive. The Sermon in the Temple begins from the issue of the audience, succeeded with two

parables, and concluded with an answer to the question obtained by the exposition of the

Scripture.

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Their one of main problems were hypocrisy and self righteousness.(Matt. 6:1-6) (Matt.
23).
79 Bowman, Jesus’ Teaching, 68. For more examples, See Matt.2:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, and
Luke 6:1-5 (the Sabbath Controversy) and Matt.12: 22-30, Mark 3:22-30, and Luke 11:14-26
(the Beelzebul Controversy). He used also the Scripture and legal terms.