They are symbolic or something greater. The real point here is that following Christ does not mean being careless about conduct. Following Christ does mean fulfilling the law with grace. Grace does not mean permissiveness of continual hurtful behavior, permissiveness with no bounds. Jesus tries to fulfill the law by adding grace to it.
Grace is the balancing leaven in the bread of life.
Here again we see the scribes and Pharisees mentioned. They always seem to be portrayed as villains. At least, that is what we seem to do to them in our hearing and interpretation. Truth is, they were considered the best of their time. The Pharisees were the party, the lay group that was the best at interpreting and obeying the law.