Matthew 23:1-36 is about Jesus confronting the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, warning against pride, emphasizing the importance of humility, justice, and mercy, and lamenting the consequences of rejecting God’s messengers.
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,
3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues,
7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.”
14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’”
17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred?
18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’
19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
20 Whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.
21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it.
22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.”
28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,
30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’
31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.
33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,
35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Setting the Scene for Matthew 23:1-36
The scene in Matthew 23:1-36 takes place in Jerusalem, specifically in the Temple courtyard. Jesus is surrounded by a large crowd of people, including his disciples and many Jewish religious leaders, such as the Pharisees and scribes. The atmosphere is tense as Jesus begins to address the crowd and the religious leaders.
The religious leaders had gathered to challenge Jesus and test his teachings, hoping to catch him in a mistake. However, Jesus uses this opportunity to deliver a scathing rebuke to the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and lack of true faith. He condemns them for their outward show of piety while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus warns the crowd to not follow the example of the religious leaders, who he describes as whitewashed tombs – beautiful on the outside but full of dead bones and uncleanness on the inside.
As Jesus speaks, his words carry a weight of authority and truth that leaves the crowd in awe. The scene is charged with emotion as Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and calls for a genuine, heartfelt devotion to God. The onlookers are captivated by Jesus’ words, which challenge them to examine their own hearts and motives in their relationship with God.
What is Matthew 23:1-36 about?
When Jesus condemns hypocrisy, He is urging us to live authentically and to be true to ourselves and our beliefs. He is showing us the importance of being modest and not letting our ego get in the way of connecting with others and with God by teaching humility. Love is at the center of His teachings, as He emphasizes the importance of loving one another and treating others with compassion and empathy. Through justice, He shows us the necessity of standing up for what is right and fair, even if it means going against societal norms. We are encouraged to examine our own actions and motivations as we reflect on these teachings. Are we being true to ourselves, or are we putting on a mask to fit in with others? Are we practicing humility and recognizing our own imperfections? Are we showing love and compassion in our interactions with others, or are we being judgmental and unkind? Are we standing up for justice and fairness, even when it is difficult? Jesus’ words challenge us to live with integrity, kindness, and righteousness, embodying the values that He Himself exemplified during his time on Earth.
Understanding what Matthew 23:1-36 really means
In Matthew 23:1-36, we find Jesus addressing the crowds and His disciples, cautioning them about the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. The context is crucial as Jesus emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and humility over outward religious appearances. He points out that the scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, indicating the authority they claim in teaching the Law. However, their actions do not align with their words, as they preach but do not practice, highlighting the necessity of integrity in living out one’s beliefs.
“They do all their deeds to be seen by others,” Jesus critiques, condemning the performance of religious acts for public approval rather than genuine devotion. This call to authenticity resonates with James 1:22, urging believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers. Isaiah 29:13 echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of genuine worship from the heart. Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6:1 also align with His warnings in chapter 23, cautioning against practicing righteousness for the sake of public recognition.
Today, the passage remains relevant in various aspects. It calls for integrity in faith, reminding us to live authentically in a world where appearances often overshadow true beliefs. Leaders are held accountable to practice what they preach, leading by example rather than mere words. The emphasis on humility and service encourages believers to focus on serving others selflessly, rather than seeking personal acclaim.
Consider a scenario where a community leader publicly advocates for charity but is later exposed for embezzling funds meant for the needy. This mirrors the hypocrisy Jesus condemns, where actions contradict words, leading to a loss of trust and respect. Jesus urges us to ensure our actions align with our professed beliefs, emphasizing the importance of consistency between teachings and practices.
The phrases in Matthew 23:1-36 hold profound significance. “They preach, but do not practice” challenges us to reflect on the alignment of our behavior with our values. “They do all their deeds to be seen by others” warns against seeking validation from people rather than focusing on pleasing God. The repeated “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” signifies a call to repentance and a stark reminder of the consequences of living a duplicitous life.
In conclusion, Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:1-36 serve as a poignant reminder to pursue genuine faith, integrity, and humility. By examining our lives and motivations, we can strive to honor God authentically and serve others selflessly. Let us heed the call to live out our faith genuinely, aligning our actions with our professed beliefs, and avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy that Jesus warns against.
How can we ensure our actions reflect our faith?
To ensure that our actions reflect our faith, we must focus on practicing what we preach. This means embodying the values and principles taught in our faith through our daily deeds and interactions with others. We demonstrate the sincerity of our faith and avoid falling into the trap of hypocrisy by living out our beliefs in a genuine and consistent manner.
We can also ensure that our actions align with our faith by prioritizing humility and compassion in our relationships with others. We reflect the teachings of our faith and contribute to a more harmonious and loving community by approaching every situation with a sense of empathy, kindness, and respect. This call to humility and compassion is central to many religious teachings, serving as a guiding principle for our conduct towards others.
Furthermore, regular reflection and self-examination can help us stay accountable to our faith and ensure that our actions are in line with its teachings. We can strive to live a life that is consistent with the values and morals that our faith upholds by constantly evaluating our thoughts, words, and deeds in light of our beliefs. This introspective practice can lead to personal growth and a deeper connection with our faith, guiding us towards a more authentic and purposeful way of living.
Application
Let’s dive deep into our hearts and actions after reading Matthew 23:1-36. Are pride and hypocrisy seeping into our faith and connections? Let’s aim for real love and a true bond with God, working towards genuine, honest faith. Will you make the move now to sync your life with Christ’s teachings, spreading the kindness and mercy He showed to everyone?
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.