Matthew 23:1-12, Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

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.

Comments

Chapter 23 prepares us for the judgment to come in chapters 24 and 25 by exposing the rottenness at the heart of the Jewish leadership, so Jesus’ followers could break from Pharisaic legalism. Jesus basically said to them, “Of course you can do what they say, but do not do what they do!” Their life did not match up to their professed loyalty to God. While the scribes and Pharisees increased the number of ways in which a person could offend God, they did not help them to understand how to please God.

Phylacteries were small leather boxes worn during prayer that contained scriptures from Exodus and Deuteronomy. These men set themselves apart through their outward appearance and titles, not by a sincere love of God. In contradistinction, all followers of Jesus stand on equal footing, being servants to all. Jesus claimed his own authority to Moses’ seat and warned us that God alone should have the title of “Father.”

Prayer

I thank you, Father, that you listen to me.

(John 11:41, Good News Bible)