Jesus was referring to the teachers of Israel, composed of the scribes and Pharisees. They were experts of the law of Moses. They were scriptural scholars. Furthermore, they tended to interpret the requirements of the Law making petty distinctions and made up demands that would confuse the sincere practicing Jew. Imagine when they went down to so many details regarding what can be and cannot be done on the Sabbath. Thus, to practice their religion became odious and impractical. How can you keep in mind so many details in common and ordinary life. Our Lord called these scholars out. He called them hypocrites because, although they sought to list down these religious restrictions on the Sabbath for the ordinary Jew to observe, they themselves would not lift a finger to live by them. They make it difficult while they give themselves a pass. Our Lord in today's Gospel warns them of the coming retribution for their useless interpretations of the Law.
