A teacher of the law, one who expounded the law. Nicodemus was probably one, for the Lord called him a “teacher of Israel.” The Lord said of the lawyers that they put heavy burdens on others, but did not touch them themselves; and in their expositions they took away the key of knowledge. They did not enter in themselves, and hindered those who were entering—a solemn description that may, alas, apply to some in this day, such as are elsewhere described as “blind leaders of the blind” (Matt. 22:35; Luke 7:30; Luke 10:25; Luke 11:45-52; Luke 14:3; Titus 3:13).