Matthew 23
BSB1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: 2 “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed. 8 But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. 16 Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred? 20 So then, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the One who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the One who sits on it. 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. 29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers. 33 You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell? 34 Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’ “
Study Notes — Matthew 23
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Matthew 23
- Themes from Matthew 23
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Matthew 23
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
In Matthew 23, Jesus denounces the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, emphasizing the difference between outward appearance and inward reality. He criticizes them for their love of power, wealth, and prestige, and for their failure to practice what they preach. Jesus also teaches about the importance of humility, warning against the dangers of exalting oneself. The chapter concludes with a lament over Jerusalem, expressing Jesus' sorrow over the city's rejection of Him. Key verses include Matthew 23:23, where Jesus condemns the Pharisees for neglecting justice, mercy, and faith, and Matthew 23:37, where Jesus expresses His desire to gather Jerusalem's children under His wings.
Context for the Chapter
Matthew 23 is part of the larger narrative of Jesus' ministry in Matthew's Gospel. The chapter follows Jesus' teachings on the Mount of Olives, where He critiques the Pharisees and emphasizes the importance of genuine faith. The chapter also serves as a warning to believers to avoid the dangers of hypocrisy and to cultivate true righteousness. In the larger biblical narrative, Matthew 23 connects to the themes of judgment and redemption, emphasizing the need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Heart Application
As believers, we are called to examine our own hearts and to cultivate genuine faith. We must avoid the dangers of hypocrisy and instead strive to practice what we preach. We are also called to humility, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and to trust in Jesus Christ for our righteousness.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Matthew 23 teaches us that God is more concerned with our hearts than with our outward appearances. Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, emphasizing the need for genuine faith. As believers, we are called to examine our own hearts and to cultivate true righteousness, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus teaches that we must prioritize justice, mercy, and faith, and in Matthew 23:37, He expresses His desire to gather Jerusalem's children under His wings.
Voices from the Church
“The Pharisees were strict in their adherence to the law, but they were strict in the wrong way. They were concerned with the outward appearance, but neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The righteousness that God requires is not just outward conformity to the law, but also inward sincerity and humility. We must strive to cultivate true righteousness, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction to the Chapter (Matthew 23:1-2) — Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, emphasizing the difference between outward appearance and inward reality.
- The Pharisees' Hypocrisy (Matthew 23:3-12) — Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their love of power, wealth, and prestige, and for their failure to practice what they preach.
- The Importance of Humility (Matthew 23:13-22) — Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility, warning against the dangers of exalting oneself and teaching that true greatness involves humility and service to others.
- The Lament over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39) — Jesus expresses His sorrow over Jerusalem's rejection of Him, demonstrating His love and compassion for those who are lost.
- Conclusion (Matthew 23:40) — The chapter concludes with a warning to believers to avoid the dangers of hypocrisy and to cultivate genuine faith, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
Core Doctrines
- The importance of genuine faith
- Matthew 23 teaches that true faith involves not just outward conformity to the law, but also inward sincerity and humility. We must strive to cultivate genuine faith, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
- The danger of hypocrisy
- The chapter warns against the dangers of hypocrisy, emphasizing the need for believers to practice what they preach and to cultivate true righteousness.
- The importance of humility
- Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility, teaching that true greatness involves humility and service to others. We must recognize our own weaknesses and limitations, and trust in Jesus Christ for our righteousness.
- The judgment of God
- Matthew 23 connects to the theme of judgment, emphasizing the need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. We must recognize our own sinfulness and trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
Lessons from Matthew 23
- The importance of self-examination — We must examine our own hearts and cultivate genuine faith, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
- The danger of pride — We must recognize the dangers of pride and cultivate humility, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and trusting in Jesus Christ for our righteousness.
- The importance of prioritizing justice, mercy, and faith — We must prioritize justice, mercy, and faith in our own lives, recognizing the weightier matters of the law and trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
- The need for repentance and faith — We must recognize our own sinfulness and trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation, cultivating genuine faith and avoiding the dangers of hypocrisy.
- The importance of trusting in Jesus Christ — We must trust in Jesus Christ for our righteousness, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and cultivating genuine faith.
Themes from Matthew 23
- Hypocrisy vs. Genuine Faith — The chapter highlights the contrast between hypocrisy and genuine faith, emphasizing the need for believers to cultivate true righteousness and to avoid the dangers of hypocrisy.
- The Importance of Humility — Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility, teaching that true greatness involves humility and service to others. We must recognize our own weaknesses and limitations, and trust in Jesus Christ for our righteousness.
- The Danger of Pride — The chapter warns against the dangers of pride, emphasizing the need for believers to cultivate humility and to recognize their own weaknesses and limitations.
- The Judgment of God — Matthew 23 connects to the theme of judgment, emphasizing the need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. We must recognize our own sinfulness and trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
- The Love and Compassion of God — The chapter highlights the love and compassion of God, demonstrating Jesus' desire to gather Jerusalem's children under His wings and to save those who are lost.
Questions for Meditation
- What are some ways in which you may be guilty of hypocrisy, and how can you cultivate genuine faith?
- How can you prioritize justice, mercy, and faith in your own life, and what are some practical ways to do so?
- What are some dangers of exalting oneself, and how can you cultivate humility in your own life?
- How can you balance the need for outward obedience to the law with the need for inward sincerity and humility?
- What are some ways in which you can trust in Jesus Christ for your righteousness, and how can you recognize your own weaknesses and limitations?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction to the Chapter (Matthew 23:1-2)
| Matthew 23:1 | Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, emphasizing the difference between outward appearance and inward reality. |
| Matthew 23:2 | The Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, but they do not practice what they preach. |
2. The Pharisees' Hypocrisy (Matthew 23:3-12)
| Matthew 23:3 | The Pharisees do not practice what they preach, and they lay heavy burdens on others. |
| Matthew 23:4 | The Pharisees are more concerned with outward appearances than with genuine faith. |
3. The Importance of Humility (Matthew 23:13-22)
| Matthew 23:13 | Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their love of power and prestige. |
| Matthew 23:14 | The Pharisees devour widows' houses and make long prayers for show. |
4. The Lament over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39)
| Matthew 23:37 | Jesus expresses His sorrow over Jerusalem's rejection of Him, demonstrating His love and compassion for those who are lost. |
| Matthew 23:38 | The house is left to you desolate. |
5. Conclusion (Matthew 23:40)
| Matthew 23:40 | The chapter concludes with a warning to believers to avoid the dangers of hypocrisy and to cultivate genuine faith, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Matthew 23?
The main theme of Matthew 23 is the condemnation of the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and the emphasis on the importance of genuine faith. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus teaches that we must prioritize justice, mercy, and faith, and in Matthew 23:37, He expresses His desire to gather Jerusalem's children under His wings.
What is the significance of the Pharisees' hypocrisy?
The Pharisees' hypocrisy is significant because it highlights the difference between outward appearance and inward reality. Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their love of power, wealth, and prestige, and for their failure to practice what they preach. In Matthew 23:3-12, Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, emphasizing the need for genuine faith.
What is the importance of humility in Matthew 23?
The importance of humility in Matthew 23 is emphasized by Jesus' teaching that true greatness involves humility and service to others. We must recognize our own weaknesses and limitations, and trust in Jesus Christ for our righteousness. In Matthew 23:13-22, Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility, warning against the dangers of exalting oneself.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 23:23 → Micah 6:8 | The emphasis on justice, mercy, and faith in Matthew 23:23 is connected to the Old Testament prophet Micah, who teaches that God requires us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. |
| 2 | Matthew 23:37 → Psalm 17:8 | The image of Jesus gathering Jerusalem's children under His wings in Matthew 23:37 is connected to the Old Testament psalmist, who asks God to keep him as the apple of His eye and to hide him under the shadow of His wings. |
| 3 | Matthew 23:1 → Mark 12:38-40 | The condemnation of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:1 is connected to the parallel passage in Mark 12:38-40, where Jesus also critiques the Pharisees for their love of power and prestige. |
| 4 | Matthew 23:13 → Luke 11:52 | The condemnation of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13 is connected to the parallel passage in Luke 11:52, where Jesus also critiques the Pharisees for their failure to practice what they preach. |
| 5 | Matthew 23:23 → Matthew 9:13 | The emphasis on justice, mercy, and faith in Matthew 23:23 is connected to the earlier passage in Matthew 9:13, where Jesus teaches that He came to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous. |
| 6 | Matthew 23:37 → Matthew 21:33-46 | The lament over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37 is connected to the earlier parable of the wicked tenants in Matthew 21:33-46, where Jesus teaches that God will take away the kingdom from those who reject Him and give it to others. |
| 7 | Matthew 23:1 → John 1:1 | The condemnation of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:1 is connected to the opening verse of John's Gospel, where Jesus is introduced as the Word of God, who was with God in the beginning. |
| 8 | Matthew 23:23 → Hebrews 1:3 | The emphasis on justice, mercy, and faith in Matthew 23:23 is connected to the New Testament book of Hebrews, where Jesus is introduced as the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, who upholds all things by the word of His power. |
Sermons on Matthew 23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Humble Thyself by Gbile Akanni | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of humility and avoiding pride in our actions and achievements. He warns against seeking personal glory and attention instead |
|
Dying to Self (Part 1 of 2) by Keith Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of committing everything to God. He references Luke 12:35-36, where Jesus instructs his followers to be ready and alert for t |
|
Repentance in Kansas City by Andrew Strom | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the state of Christian meetings and how they often fail to truly impact people. He emphasizes the need for authenticity and a genuine encoun |
|
As for Me by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher references historical figures like Patrick Henry and Joshua from the Old Testament to emphasize the importance of making a firm decision to serve God. |
|
|
Thundering in Nashville by Andrew Strom | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the decline of American TV and the need for God's people to take Him seriously and repent. He emphasizes the cultural sins that people may no |
|
The Burdens of Ravenhill - Part 2 (Compilation) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being anointed by God to preach the word. He highlights the brokenness and suffering in the world and the need for God's h |
|
Chasing the Dragon 1 of 2 by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the encounter between Jesus and a rich young man as described in Mark chapter 10. The young man approaches Jesus and asks what he must do to |
|
Whatever Happened to Repentance? by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of repentance and the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus. He urges the congregation to come forward and confess t |
|
|
The Old Testament God by Andrew Strom | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the parable of the wedding banquet from Matthew chapter 22. He emphasizes that God is a God of judgment, both in the Old and New Testaments. |
|
|
Intercessory Prayer - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being zealous and passionate in spreading the word of God. He criticizes those who claim to have the best thing in the worl |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Matthew 23
In Matthew 23, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, emphasizing the difference between outward appearance and inward reality. The chapter serves as a warning to believers to avoid the dangers of hypocrisy and to cultivate genuine faith. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The Pharisees were strict in their adherence to the law, but they were strict in the wrong way. They were concerned with the outward appearance, but neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith.' The chapter highlights the importance of humility, warning against the dangers of exalting oneself, and emphasizing the need for believers to recognize their own weaknesses and limitations, and to trust in Jesus Christ for their righteousness. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus expresses His sorrow over Jerusalem's rejection of Him, demonstrating His love and compassion for those who are lost. The chapter concludes with a warning to believers to avoid the dangers of hypocrisy and to cultivate genuine faith, recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, and trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Pharisees' love of power and prestige
The Pharisees are criticized for their love of power, wealth, and prestige. They are more concerned with outward appearances than with genuine faith. This is evident in their desire to be seen as righteous and their love of being called 'Rabbi'.
The importance of humility
Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility, warning against the dangers of exalting oneself. He teaches that true greatness involves humility and service to others.
The contrast between outward appearance and inward reality
The chapter highlights the contrast between outward appearance and inward reality. The Pharisees appear righteous on the outside, but are corrupt on the inside. Jesus teaches that true righteousness involves not just outward conformity to the law, but also inward sincerity and humility.