Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Look to who Jesus was talking to when He said “Go and learn.”

It was the Pharisees who would not follow Jesus’ example.

Strong’s Definitions 

†Φαρισαῖος Pharisaîos, far-is-ah’-yos; of Hebrew origin; a separatist,

The practice did not exist until after the return from the Babylonian exile. It literally is a position created by man to hold sway over the unlearned. They were not teachers, that was designated to the Scribes. The Pharisees sat in judgment over all religious matters.

We learn this by doing a deeper dive into our studies. We assume too much and take many things for granted because it is easier than spending sleepless nights correcting the thoughts of others where they sound good but have interpreted the scriptures to serve their own needs.

It is telling to me that Jeus said “go and learn” while they were standing right in front of Him. He knew their thoughts and that they would never listen to this unsanctioned itinerant teacher from a backwater town called Nazareth.

James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

It is in our quiet times with God that He reveals the true mysteries.

Ephesians 1:9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

We will never discover our true purpose in this life apart from Christ.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1 Corinthians 1:30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

2 Timothy 1:9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

God shows us the mystery of His will, why would we want to return to our own beggarly thoughts? The separatist did not feel comfortable in His presence. We can.

1 Corinthians 11 English Standard Version

1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Head Coverings

2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

Jewish tradition (e.g., in the Talmud) later interpreted Numbers 5:18 as evidence that the Torah implies women should cover their heads in public, viewing uncovering as immodest. However, this is a rabbinic interpretation developed centuries after the Old Testament texts, not a direct Mosaic law. While head covering for women was a widespread cultural practice in ancient Jewish and surrounding societies (often tied to modesty, marriage, or status), the Old Testament contains no explicit divine command requiring it, unlike laws on topics such as dietary rules or Sabbath observance. Source Grok AI

Let me be clear on this issue, Paul begins with pleading with Corinthians, a mixture of Jewish converts and pagan converts, to imitate Christ just as Paul himself is following Christ’s example. Everything Paul is addressing is in honoring traditions that were long accepted as practiced primarily by respected authorities. Jesus honored traditions but did not teach them.

Honor your parents is one of the ten commandments. One aspect of that is not to speak out against one’s parents’ traditions as if they were sinning. If the law is not specific in content but through understanding traditions become observations, then do not disrespect those who deserve honor, even if we do not hold to those traditions ourselves.

Romans 13:7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

It is no accident that Paul includes honor among worldly practices. It is based on the traditions of the society in which those citizens lived in the world. It is not a moral code, it is a civic code.

John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.

Traditions change over time for many reasons just as cultural norms differ from region to region. When we enter another man’s home we are not to show disrespect to their traditions just because we do not practice them ourselves. Matthew 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” They disrespected the home owner’s tradition. Jesus did not. That is His example.