 Legalism, the strict devotion to laws or rules, has been an ongoing issue in religious traditions for centuries. It is often marked by overemphasizing external conformity to regulations while ignoring the deeper, more meaningful internal transformation that God has given. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a critique of legalism as practiced by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Similarly, in John 5:16-29, Jesus challenges the legalistic views of the Jewish authorities when He heals a man on the Sabbath, demonstrating that God’s laws are meant to bring life, not oppression. This message will explore legalism as portrayed in both Matthew 23 and John 5:16-29, examining how Jesus responded to it and how followers of Christ today can avoid falling into the same trap. Ultimately, following Jesus requires obedience to and proclamation to Him as Lord and Savior and embracing his grace, love, justice, and mercy rather than becoming entangled in legalism's rigid and often burdensome practices. Legalism Exposed: Matthew 23 and the Pharisees In Matthew 23, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and teachers of the law for their hypocrisy and legalism. He criticizes their behavior, saying, " They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden." (Matthew 23:4). This statement captures the essence of legalism: the imposition of unnecessary and burdensome rules on others while neglecting the true purpose of the law. Legalism, as seen in the actions of the Pharisees, focuses on outward appearances and external adherence to rules. They strictly followed ceremonial practices, such as tithing even the smallest spices, “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” (Matthew 23:23); in their legalism, the religious leaders ignored "the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness." This contrast reveals the flaw in legalism: it emphasizes minor details while missing the broader, more significant principles of God's law. Legalism often leads to a judgmental and self-righteous attitude. The Pharisees prided themselves on their ability to keep the law and viewed themselves as spiritually superior to others. However, Jesus rebukes them for their hypocrisy, calling them "whitewashed tombs" that appear beautiful on the outside but are full of "dead men’s bones" on the inside. “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. (Matthew 23:27). Legalism promotes a false sense of righteousness based on external actions while neglecting the internal transformation of the heart that God desires. John 5:16 - 29 Breaking Legalistic Traditions: John 5:16-29 and the Sabbath Controversy In John 5:16-29, Jesus confronts the Jewish authorities' legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath. After healing a man who had been disabled for 38 years, Jesus instructs the man to pick up his mat and walk—an action that violated the Sabbath regulations as understood by the Jewish authorities. According to their interpretation, carrying a mat on the Sabbath was considered "work" and thus a violation of the law. The Jewish leaders were more concerned with the man’s breaking of their Sabbath traditions than with the miracle of healing that had just occurred. This reaction demonstrates legalism’s distortion of priorities. Instead of rejoicing in God's miraculous work, they focused on the technicalities of their rules. Jesus’ response to their accusations was challenging: ““My Father is always working, and so am I.” (John 5:17). By this statement, Jesus declared His divine authority, aligning His work with God the Father. The Sabbath was instituted as a day of rest, a time for people to reflect on God's provision and experience renewal. However, the Jewish authorities made it a burdensome obligation by adding extra rules and restrictions. Jesus, by healing on the Sabbath, demonstrated that the Sabbath was made for humanity's benefit, not as a rigid law to be followed at all costs. His actions challenged the legalistic mindset that valued rules over people’s well-being. Moreover, in this passage, Jesus asserts His equality with God by claiming He is doing the Father’s work. This statement enraged the Jewish authorities because, in their eyes, Jesus was not only breaking the Sabbath but also committing blasphemy by claiming to be equal to God. However, Jesus was revealing the deeper truth that He and the Father were one in purpose and that the true intent of the Sabbath was to reflect God’s ongoing work of restoration and healing. The Spirit of the Law: Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness One of the central messages in Matthew 23 and John 5 is that legalism distorts the true purpose of God’s law. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for focusing on minute aspects of the law while neglecting “the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” These three principles summarize the heart of God’s commandments. Rather than creating burdensome regulations, God's law promotes justice, mercy, and obedience to Him. Justice refers to the fair and reasonable treatment of others, reflecting God's righteousness. In contrast, legalism often results in injustice, as it prioritizes rules over people. For example, in John 5, the Jewish leaders’ legalistic focus on the Sabbath regulations blinded them to the injustice of criticizing a man who had just been miraculously healed. Mercy, too, is a crucial aspect of God’s character, but legalism tends to lack compassion. The Pharisees’ rigid adherence to their interpretations of the law left no room for mercy toward those needing healing or grace. Finally, obedience to God involves more than just external conformity to rules. It is a deep, heart-level commitment to living in a relationship with God and following His will. Legalism, by focusing on the letter of the law rather than its spirit, undermines true faithfulness and obedience. The Pharisees’ careful rule-keeping was ultimately an act of self-righteousness rather than genuine devotion to God. Legalism Today: A Modern Challenge While the Pharisees and the Jewish authorities of Jesus’ time are often the focus of discussions on legalism, the issue persists in various forms today. Legalism can creep into the Christian life when believers begin to emphasize rules, traditions, or religious practices over the transformative power of Jesus Christ. This may manifest in strict adherence to religious rituals, judging others based on outward appearances, or believing that one's righteousness can be earned through works. In modern Christian communities, legalism might take the form of rigid doctrinal positions or moral codes that leave little room for grace or mercy. For example, some may focus on outward markers of spirituality—such as church attendance, dress codes, or specific religious practices—while neglecting the deeper matters of the heart, such as love for others and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus' teachings in Matthew 23 and His actions in John 5 clearly rebuke legalistic attitudes. They remind us that the essence of following Jesus is not about rule-keeping but about living in the freedom that comes from His grace. Paul echoes this sentiment in Galatians 5:1, writing, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Legalism, in all its forms, is a yoke of slavery that burdens believers with unnecessary obligations and distracts them from the true joy of walking with Jesus. Here are some suggestions for how to live a life apart from legalism.
Conclusion: Following Jesus Beyond Legalism Legalism, as seen in the actions of the Pharisees in Matthew 23 and the Jewish authorities' response to Jesus in John 5, represents a distortion of God's law. It prioritizes external adherence to rules and traditions over the deeper, more meaningful relationship that God calls us to live. Jesus’ critique of legalism is a call for believers to move beyond rigid rule-keeping and embrace the true spirit of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. To follow Jesus means to live in the freedom of His grace and honor God not through burdensome regulations but through a heart transformed by Him. The Pharisees' focus on outward appearances, neglect of mercy, and judgmental attitudes are all warnings to us today. We are called not to be legalistic rule-keepers but followers of Jesus who reflect God's character through acts of compassion, humility, and faith. As we strive to follow Jesus, may we resist the temptation of legalism and instead embrace the fullness of a life that comes from living in the obedience, grace, and truth of Jesus Christ.
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Jeff has been in full-time ministry for thirty years. He currently serves as Executive Director at Anchor House Ministry at SeaPort Manatee in Palmetto, FL and he is a part-time Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Southside in Bradenton, Florida.
Jeff Has authored A Lent Devotional (A Spiritual Journey to Lent) an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). All three are available on Amazon. He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea. Preview or purchase Jeff's Books
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