# scribe, scribes #

## Definition: ##

Scribes were officials who were responsible for writing or copying important government or religious documents by hand. Another name for a Jewish scribe was "expert in Jewish law."

* Scribes were responsible for copying and preserving the books of the Old Testament.
* They also copied, preserved, and interpreted religious opinions and commentary on the law of God.
* At times, scribes were important government officials.
* Important biblical scribes include Baruch and Ezra.
* In the New Testament, the term translated "scribes" was also translated as "teachers of the Law."
* In the New Testament, scribes were usually part of the religious group called the "Pharisees," and the two groups were frequently mentioned together.


(See also: [law](../kt/lawofmoses.md), [Pharisee](../other/pharisee.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [Acts 04:5-7](en/tn/act/help/04/05)
* [Luke 07:29-30](en/tn/luk/help/07/29)
* [Luke 20:45-47](en/tn/luk/help/20/45)
* [Mark 01:21-22](en/tn/mrk/help/01/21)
* [Mark 02:15-16](en/tn/mrk/help/02/15)
* [Matthew 05:19-20](en/tn/mat/help/05/19)
* [Matthew 07:28-29](en/tn/mat/help/07/28)
* [Matthew 12:38-40](en/tn/mat/help/12/38)
* [Matthew 13:51-53](en/tn/mat/help/13/51)