Jesus answered them, and said, "My doctrine is
not mine, but his that sent me.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the
doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I
speak of myself." John 7:17

He told them that although Moses had given them
the Law and they had obeyed it in a precise way,
they were totally ignorant of its principles.

Despite their fanatical observances of trivialities,
they had failed to keep the basic commandments
of the Law.