Among the Jews, religion had come to be little more than a round of ceremonies. As they had departed from the true worship of God, and lost the spiritual power of His word, they had tried to supply the lack by adding ceremonies and traditions of their own. Only the blood of Christ can cleanse from sin. Only His power can keep men from sinning. But the Jews depended upon their own works and ceremonies of their religion to earn for them salvation. Because of their zeal for these ceremonies they thought themselves righteous, and worthy of a place in God's kingdom.

Hos jøderne var religionen ikke stort andet end en gentagelse af ceremonier. Efterhånden som de var afveget fra den sande gudsdyrkelse og havde mistet den åndelige kraft, forsøgte de at erstatte mangelen med deres egne ceremonier og overleveringer. Kristi blod alene kan rense fra synd. Han alene har magt til at bevare os fra at synde. Men jøderne stolede på, at deres egne gerninger og ceremonier kunne skaffe dem frelse. På grund af deres nidkærhed for disse ceremonier, anså de sig for retfærdige og værdige til en plads i Guds rige.