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Matthew 23

Matt 23, Mt 23


Matthew 23

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.

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Summary and the Meaning of Matthew Chapter 23 from the KJV Holy Bible

Matthew chapter 23 is a potent discourse by Jesus Christ, focusing on the hypocrisy and corrupt practices of the religious leaders of His time, specifically the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus, in this chapter, openly criticizes their actions and provides a stark warning about the dangers of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. The chapter is filled with strong language and vivid metaphors, reflecting the gravity of the message Jesus intended to convey. The main themes of this chapter include hypocrisy, false piety, self-righteousness, and the ultimate judgment of God.

The Condemnation of Hypocrisy and False Piety

The chapter begins with Jesus warning His disciples and the multitude about the scribes and Pharisees. He acknowledges their authority, given they sit in Moses' seat, indicating they have the responsibility to interpret the law. However, He criticizes them for not practicing what they preach, a clear denunciation of hypocrisy. He says, "they say, and do not" (Matthew 23:3). Jesus criticizes them for their love of ostentation, their desire for recognition, and their pursuit of honorific titles. Their actions are not motivated by genuine love for God or people, but by a desire for self-exaltation.

The Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

Jesus pronounces seven woes upon the scribes and Pharisees, each one highlighting a specific fault in their character and practice. These woes are not just expressions of sorrow, but stern warnings of the impending judgment from God. The first woe criticizes their proselytizing efforts, which, instead of leading converts to righteousness, lead them into greater sin. The second and third woes condemn their misguided emphasis on minor ceremonial matters while neglecting the more important moral requirements of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faith.

The fourth and fifth woes denounce their outward show of piety while harboring wickedness within. They are likened to whitewashed tombs, clean on the outside but full of decay inside. The sixth woe criticizes their reverence for the prophets' tombs, while they themselves display the same attitudes that led their ancestors to kill these prophets. The final woe is a culmination of the previous ones, pronouncing judgment upon them for their hypocrisy and rebellion against God.

The Lament over Jerusalem

The chapter concludes with Jesus expressing His sorrow over Jerusalem, the city that kills prophets and stones those sent to it. His lament portrays His deep love and concern for His people, despite their persistent rejection of Him. He longs to gather them as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but they were not willing. This poignant metaphor underscores the tragic consequences of their rejection: their house is left to them desolate.

The Meaning and Implications of Matthew 23

Matthew 23 serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. It warns against religious practices that are not grounded in genuine love for God and others, but are instead motivated by a desire for self-exaltation and recognition. Jesus' criticism of the scribes and Pharisees is not just a critique of these specific individuals, but a critique of all who would place human traditions and interpretations above God's commandments.

Moreover, the chapter highlights the importance of inner purity over outward conformity. The scribes and Pharisees were meticulous in their adherence to external rituals, but they neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. This suggests that God values the condition of our hearts over the perfection of our religious rituals.

Furthermore, the chapter underscores the seriousness of leading others astray. The scribes and Pharisees, as religious leaders, were responsible for guiding people in the way of righteousness. However, their hypocrisy and false teaching led people away from God, not closer to Him. This serves as a sobering warning for all who are in positions of spiritual leadership.

Finally, Jesus' lament over Jerusalem serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of rejecting Him. Despite His deep love and longing for His people, He respects their free will. If they choose to reject Him, they must also bear the consequences of that choice.

In conclusion, Matthew 23 is a powerful discourse on the dangers of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. It serves as a stern warning to all who would prioritize human traditions over God's commandments, outward conformity over inner purity, and self-exaltation over humble service. It also underscores the tragic consequences of rejecting Jesus, despite His deep love and longing for His people. This chapter serves as a call to genuine faith, sincere love, and humble obedience to God.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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