Some have thought it an evidence of intellectual keenness and superiority to perplex minds in regard to what is truth. They resort to subtlety of argument, to playing upon words; they take unjust advantage in asking questions. When their questions have been fairly answered, they will turn the subject [and] bring up another point to avoid acknowledging the truth. We should beware of indulging the spirit which controlled the Jews. They would not learn of Christ, because His explanation of the Scriptures did not agree with their ideas; therefore they became spies upon His track, “laying wait for Him, and seeking to catch something out of His mouth, that they might accuse Him.” Let us not bring upon ourselves the fearful denunciation of the Saviour’s words, “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” {TM 108.3}

Nogle har tænkt det som et bevis for intellektuel skarpsindighed og overlegenhed for at forvirre sjæle med henblik på hvad der er sandt. De griber til skarpsindige argumenter, til spil med ord; de tager for stor fordel ved at spørge. Når deres spørgsmål er blevet rimeligt besvaret, vil de gå til deres emne og bringe et andet punkt op for at undgå indrømmelse af sandheden. Vi burde tage os i agt for at hengive os i ånden som styrede Jøderne. De ville ikke lære af Kristus, fordi hans forklaring af skrifterne ikke stemte over ens med deres forestillinger; derfor (109) blev de spioner på hans sti, »de lurede nemlig på ham for at opsnappe en eller anden ytring af ham.« Lad os ikke tage den skrækkelige anklage på os selv fra Frelserens ord, »Ve jer I lovkyndige! thi I har taget kundskabens nøgle; selv er I ikke gået ind, og dem, som ville gå ind, har I hindret deri.«