Matthew Chapter 23
Jesus had warned the people previously about the false teachings of the Pharisees.
Matthew 15:5-6 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.
In this chapter Jesus speaks against the scribes and Pharisees and really exposes their hypocrisies to the people.
These are written as woes against these false teachers.
The fact that there were probably scribes and Pharisees present who heard Jesus tell the people these things is remarkable. He knew His time was short and He wanted to prepare the people for His absence.
Let's Reflect
1. Jesus first taught the people that the scribes and Pharisees were to be respected because they sat in Moses’ seat. They were in a place of honor that was ordained by God. “Synagogues had a stone seat at the front where the authoritative teacher (sat).” [Carson] Jesus also knew that the position of these men had gone to their heads. They had become the most powerful group of dictators causing the lives of the Jewish people to be more unbearable than they already were under the Romans. Jesus summed up their actions best when He said that they do all of their deeds for what reason?
2. One great example of this, Jesus had noticed how the phylacteries worn by the Pharisees were a lot bigger than the normal ones worn by other men. Phylacteries were tiny little boxes worn on the forearm or forehead to hold pieces of parchment with scriptures written on them. What other visible difference did Jesus point out about the garments of the Pharisees?
3. Jesus pointed out that there should be only one true Rabbi – Him. Therefore, men should not be called Rabbi, nor ___________ nor Instructor. Jesus was clearly addressing their sin problem of pride.
4. In the seven woes that Jesus pointed out to the people, they were seven areas where the religious leaders were hypocrites, and they were dangerous because they led people away from the truth. The heresy of teaching false doctrines is so dangerous, because as Jesus stated in verse 13, those religious leaders are literally causing what to happen?
5. They were willing to travel great distances to convert non-Jews to Judaism. This was the practice of proselyting. They allowed Gentiles to be circumcised and converted to become a Jew, but they still were not sharing the truths of God’s Word. They were condemning these people to an eternity in hell. Who else did Jesus say would be going to hell?
6. He called them blind guides and cheap and thieves. He also called out their self-indulgence. In verse 28 He spoke about the hypocrisy of their righteous deeds. What type of deeds were they actually?
7. He also called them murderers as they desecrated the ministry of the prophets. They were as guilty as those who had martyred Old Testament saints from Abel to Zechariah. And they would be guilty of literally murdering other prophets. How did Jesus describe their murderous acts? See verse 34.
8. This was obviously not the way God wanted it to be. He would rather have had Jerusalem accept Him as their Messiah. The picture below depicts His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, but it was short-lived as the religious leaders could not see past their own pride. One day in the future, they will understand, their eyes will be opened. They will see Jesus for who He truly is, the King of kings. When Jesus returns what will they say of Him?
Devotionals
