Matthew 23:12
Matthew 23:12 in Multiple Translations
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
And whoever makes himself high will be made low, and whoever makes himself low will be made high.
Those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great.
For whosoeuer will exalt himselfe, shall be brought lowe: and whosoeuer will humble himselfe, shalbe exalted.
and whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
And whoever shall exalt himself, shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself, shall be exalted.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
God will humble those who exalt themselves. And he will exalt those who humble themselves.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 23:12
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Matthew 23:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 23:12
Study Notes — Matthew 23:12
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 23:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 23:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 23:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
- Sermons on Matthew 23:12
Context — Woes to Scribes and Pharisees
12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13Woe 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. 15Woe 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Peter 5:5 | Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” |
| 2 | James 4:6 | But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” |
| 3 | Proverbs 29:23 | A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. |
| 4 | Luke 14:11 | For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” |
| 5 | Matthew 18:4 | Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. |
| 6 | Luke 18:14 | I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” |
| 7 | Proverbs 15:33 | The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor. |
| 8 | Matthew 5:3 | “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. |
| 9 | Proverbs 16:18–19 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. |
| 10 | Daniel 4:37 | Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride. |
Matthew 23:12 Summary
This verse teaches us that when we try to make ourselves look important or better than others, God will humble us, but when we are willing to humble ourselves and serve others, God will lift us up and give us honor. This is not about seeking earthly status or recognition, but about having a humble heart before God, as seen in Proverbs 22:4. By choosing to humble ourselves, we can experience the joy and freedom of serving others and living for God's glory, as taught in Matthew 20:26-28 and 1 Peter 5:6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to exalt oneself?
To exalt oneself means to elevate one's own status or importance, often at the expense of others, as seen in the pride of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13, which is contrary to the humble example of Jesus Christ in Philippians 2:5-8.
How can I humble myself?
Humbling oneself involves recognizing one's place before God and others, acknowledging weaknesses and limitations, and being willing to serve and learn from others, as taught in Matthew 20:26-28 and exemplified in the life of Jesus Christ in John 13:1-17.
What is the promise for those who humble themselves?
The promise for those who humble themselves is that they will be exalted by God, not in a worldly sense, but in a spiritual sense, receiving honor and reward from God, as seen in Luke 14:11 and 1 Peter 5:6.
Is this verse only talking about earthly status or is there a spiritual aspect?
This verse has both earthly and spiritual implications, as our attitude of humility or pride affects our relationships with others and our standing before God, as taught in Proverbs 15:33 and James 4:10.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I exalt myself in my daily life, and how can I intentionally humble myself in those areas?
- What are some practical ways I can serve others and demonstrate humility, as Jesus taught in Matthew 20:26-28?
- How can I balance confidence in my abilities with humility, recognizing that my strengths and accomplishments come from God, as seen in 1 Corinthians 4:7?
- What are some areas in my life where I struggle with pride, and how can I ask God to help me overcome those struggles, as promised in James 4:6-10?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 23:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 23:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 23:12
Sermons on Matthew 23:12
| 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 |
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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 |
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A Heart After God Is Better Than Skils by K P Yohannan by K.P. Yohannan | This sermon shares a powerful testimony from Tripura, India, where the love of Christ transformed warring tribes into brothers and sisters, uniting them in faith. It highlights the |
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He Must Become More and More by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the life of John the Baptist and describes him as a great man who became less and less in the eyes of the world. Despite this, John grew spi |
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Message for Youth for Christ by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker presents thirteen key points or "theses" for the evangelical church. The first thesis is about the importance of repentance and how the whole life of a |
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Dependence Upon the Lord by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the destruction of a printing press and the loss of valuable materials. He emphasizes the importance of humility and exalting God in all asp |
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The Walls Are Down for America and Canada (Conference Call) by Edgar Reich | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of how people, particularly men, are consumed by worldly distractions such as television, jobs, and material possessions. He acknowl |





