synagogues on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were likely referring to an oral tradition unknown to the common people. In Matthew 23:15 Jesus condemned the Pharisees for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. If the proselyte had been taught the written Law of Moses, such a condemnation would not have been likely. However, instruction in a secret oral tradition could account for evil practices that would merit evil account for evil practices that would merit condemnation. At another time, Jesus may have stopped just short of exposing what the Pharisees were secretly teaching. This is recorded in Luke 12:1-3: that would merit account In the mean time, when there were gathered an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ears in closets shall be proclaimed upon the 1 17 Ancient Oral Traditions the corrupting of their followers: Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for housetops.