1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men’s shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
16 Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
17 [Ye] fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
19 [Ye] fools and blind: for whether [is] greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24 [Ye] blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 [Thou] blind Pharisee, cleanse first that [which is] within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men’s] bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
33 [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city:
35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Overview of Matthew Chapter 23
Matthew Chapter 23 is a significant passage in the New Testament where Jesus delivers a scathing critique of the religious leaders of His time, particularly the Pharisees and the scribes. This chapter emphasizes the themes of hypocrisy, the true nature of leadership, and the impending judgment against those who lead others astray.
Structure of the Chapter
The chapter can be divided into several key sections:
- Jesus’ Warning Against the Pharisees (Verses 1-12)
- The Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees (Verses 13-36)
- Jesus’ Lament over Jerusalem (Verses 37-39)
Jesus’ Warning Against the Pharisees (Verses 1-12)
In the opening verses, Jesus addresses the crowds and His disciples, highlighting the authority of the Pharisees but simultaneously condemning their actions:
- Authority of the Pharisees: Jesus acknowledges that the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, implying they hold a position of authority in interpreting the Law.
- Hypocrisy: He warns the people to observe what they teach but not to follow their example, as they do not practice what they preach.
- Burdening Others: The Pharisees are criticized for placing heavy burdens on others while not lifting a finger to help.
- True Greatness: Jesus teaches that true greatness in the kingdom of heaven is found in humility and service, contrasting the prideful behavior of the religious leaders.
The Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees (Verses 13-36)
This section contains a series of “woes” pronounced by Jesus, each highlighting specific failures of the religious leaders:
- Woe 1 (Verse 13): They shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.
- Woe 2 (Verse 15): They make converts but lead them to become twice as much a child of hell.
- Woe 3 (Verse 16): They mislead others with false teachings about oaths.
- Woe 4 (Verse 23): They prioritize minor aspects of the Law while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
- Woe 5 (Verse 25): They focus on outward appearances while being inwardly corrupt.
- Woe 6 (Verse 27): They are like whitewashed tombs, appearing righteous but full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
- Woe 7 (Verse 29): They boast about their ancestors while perpetuating the same sins.
Each woe serves to illustrate the depth of their hypocrisy and the consequences of their actions, culminating in a strong condemnation of their leadership.
Jesus’ Lament over Jerusalem (Verses 37-39)
The chapter concludes with a poignant expression of Jesus’ sorrow over Jerusalem:
- Desire to Gather: Jesus expresses His longing to gather the children of Jerusalem as a hen gathers her chicks, indicating His protective and nurturing nature.
- Rejection of Prophets: He laments that Jerusalem has killed the prophets and stoned those sent to her, highlighting a history of rejection of God’s messengers.
- Desolation: Jesus foretells the desolation of Jerusalem, emphasizing the consequences of their actions and the coming judgment.
- Promise of Return: He concludes with a promise that they will not see Him again until they acknowledge Him as the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Theological Implications
Matthew Chapter 23 carries profound theological implications:
- Hypocrisy in Leadership: The chapter serves as a warning against the dangers of hypocrisy in religious leadership and the importance of integrity.
- Judgment and Accountability: It underscores the theme of divine judgment for those who lead others astray and the accountability that comes with spiritual authority.
- God’s Desire for Repentance: Jesus’ lament reflects God’s desire for repentance and reconciliation, emphasizing His love even in the face of rejection.
Conclusion
Matthew Chapter 23 is a powerful critique of the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith and humility in leadership. It serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of hypocrisy and the need for true righteousness in the eyes of God.
