For that they hated knowledge
Spiritual and evangelical; the knowledge of the Scriptures, of the promises and prophecies of them respecting the Messiah, though they were called upon and exhorted to "search" them; the knowledge of the Messiah, his person, offices, and grace; the knowledge of his Gospel, and the doctrines of it; see ( Proverbs 1:22 ) ; and did not choose the fear of the Lord;
which is the beginning of knowledge, ( Proverbs 1:7 ) ; instead of choosing, they cast off the fear of the Lord; and by their rejection of the Messiah, and their usage of him, it plainly appeared that the fear of God was not before their eyes nor upon their hearts; nor did they choose or care for the pure, spiritual, and evangelical worship of God, introduced in the Gospel dispensation; the ordinances of Christ they did not choose to submit to; and would neither go into he kingdom of God or Gospel church state themselves, nor suffer those that were entering to go in, ( Matthew 23:13 ) ; but rather chose their superstition and will worship, according to the tradition of the elders, by which they made the word and worship of God of none effect.