Jesus Condemned the Jewish Leaders, 23:1-12 (Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47).
[1-3] Jesus had respect for authority. Most teachers of the law were Pharisees. For “Pharisees,” see Matthew 3:7. Jesus did not approve of the lifestyles of the Jewish teachers. They taught good things but did evil things. This is why Jesus called them hypocrites (see Matthew 6:2, 16; 23:25). The customary position while teaching was sitting.
[4-7] The teachers made things difficult for the people (“bind heavy loads”). But they would not be compassionate and help people. Jesus had compassion for people (Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32). Jesus also made burdens light (Matthew 11:30). Jesus was very different from the religious teachers. The greatest burden Jesus removes is the burden of sin (Isaiah 53:4-7; John 1:29; Matthew 9:2). These teachers and Pharisees loved to be noticed by others (see Matthew 6:1-18). “Phylacteries” were leather boxes tied to their arms and foreheads while praying. In the boxes they carried these Scriptures: Exodus 13:1-10, 11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21. Tassels were used to remind people of the law (Numbers 15:38-40). These teachers and Pharisees used these things so people would notice them. The actions of the teachers were not what God wanted (Matthew 18:4; 20:26-28; 23:11-12). These men wanted honour. The best seats at dinner were on the right and left of the host (see Matthew 20:21). The early church had problems with seating (James 2:1-4). The Pharisees and teachers received honour from men but not from God (Matthew 6:1-2, 5, 16). The righteousness in the life of the follower of Christ must be greater than that of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). One’s heart and life must be good if he follows Christ.
[8-10] Jesus rejected titles that increased pride. “Rabbi” meant teacher. Jesus was not against being a teacher. Teachers were in the church and were needed (Acts 13:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1:11; Hebrews 5:12).The followers of Christ should remember that to each other, they are brothers (Galatians 5:13; 6:1). “Father” was another title rejected by Christ. Jesus warned against using this title for men. It was used for physical fathers (Ephesians 6:2, 4). It was not to be used in a spiritual sense because God is our Father. Paul talked about Timothy as his “son” in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2). Paul could then be called Timothy’s “father” in the faith. But Paul did not assume “father” as a title. The words “father” and “son” described the relationship between them. Paul had likely taught Timothy the gospel of Christ (Acts 14:8; 16:1).
“Leader” was another title rejected by Christ. Christ is the only leader we should listen to (Hebrews 1:1). A person may assume a leadership roles. Elders, as shepherds, are leaders (Acts 20:17, 28). Leadership is a gift (Romans 12:8). Christ’s followers are not to seek titles as people in the world do (Matthew 20:25).
[11-12] Jesus repeated that true greatness was not found in titles, but in serving others (see Matthew 18:4; 20:26-28; John 13:1-17). Christ is to be honoured, not men. Christ is the one who has all authority (Matthew 28:18).
Words Against the Teachers of the Law and The Pharisees, 23:13-36.
[13-14] For an explanation of “teachers of the law,” see Matthew 15:1; for “Pharisees,” see Matthew 3:7; and for “hypocrites,” see Matthew 6:2. How did they “shut the door to the kingdom”? The many rules that they made discouraged people and kept them out. The example of their lives was not good either (Matthew 23:3-4). The teachers were kept out of the kingdom, and they kept others out (Luke 11:52).
Verse fourteen is found in some old copies of the New Testament Scriptures, but it is missing from others: “It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You are hypocrites, because you rob widows’ houses while you make long prayers for a show. You will receive greater condemnation.” The teaching in this verse is found in Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47.
[15] Those teachers were eager to make Jewish converts. They would go all over the world (literally over land and sea) to do this. In doing this, they did not bring people to God. “Twice as much” indicated that the converts became worse than their teachers. “Child of hell” meant that their ways were not God’s, and they would go to hell unless they changed their ways (Matthew 5:22; 13:42).
Matthew 23:16-28
16 “It will be horrible for you, you blind guides who say, ‘It is not important if someone makes a vow to God by the temple sanctuary. But, if someone makes a vow to God by the gold in the temple sanctuary, he is guilty!’ 17 You are foolish and blind! What is more important? The gold or the temple sanctuary which makes the gold holy? 18 You also say, ‘If someone vows to God by the altar, it does not matter. But, if someone vows to God by the gift on the altar, he is guilty!’ 19 You blind men! Which is more important? The gift or the altar which makes the gift holy? 20 The person who vows to God by the altar vows to God by the altar and everything on the altar. 21 The person who vows to God by the temple sanctuary vows by the sanctuary and by the One who dwells there. 22 The person who vows to God by heaven vows to God by God’s throne and the One who sits upon it.” 23 “It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! It is true that you give God ten percent of everything you have. You even give him ten percent of your spices—mint, dill, and cummin. But you forget about more important things in the law: being fair to other people, giving mercy, and faith. You should always tithe, but you must remember to do the more important things, too. 24 You blind guides! You strain out the gnat, but you swallow the camel!” 25 “It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! You wash the outside of the cup or the bowl. But inside, there are the things you got by cheating other people and pleasing yourselves. 26 Blind Pharisees! Make the inside of the cup clean first, so that the outside of it will be clean, too.” 27 “It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! You are like tombs which have been painted white. They seem to be very beautiful outside, but inside they are full of all kinds of filth and the bones of dead people. 28 You are the same way. Outside you seem good to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and sin.”
[16-22] Following them was like following “blind guides” (see Matthew 15:14; 23:17, 19, 24). A vow was a promise. The Jews had ways not to keep their promises. If they made a promise a certain way, they would keep it. But if they made it another way, they would not keep it. In their thinking, the temple was holy, but the gold on it was more important. They were truly “blind” because the temple made the gold holy. Therefore, the temple was more important than the gold. They were also confused about the altar and the sacrifice. When a sacrifice was offered, it became holy (Exodus 29:37), but the altar was more holy. Jesus wanted them to be honest men, men who did not need vows or promises to bind them (Matthew 5:33-37).
[23-24] For “teachers of the law,” “Pharisees,” and “hypocrites,” see Matthew 23:13-14. God has always required justice, mercy, and faith (see Amos 5:24; Hosea 6:6; Habakkuk 2:4; Micah 6:8). Serving God with actions, but not with the heart is wrong.
[25-26] The Jews had rules for outward purity. Jesus said that purity of the heart and soul was more important than purity of the body. A religious man must live a good, moral life. The issue of one being concerned with the outside condition rather than the inside condition continues in the next two verses. See also Matthew 15:2-20 where Jesus discussed purity.
[27-28] Jews had strict purification rules to follow (Numbers 19:37-19). Some of these rules prevented the possible spread of disease. They were to avoid touching graves, dead bodies and human bones (Numbers 19:16). Jews painted graves white so they could be seen easily. To be “full of hypocrisy” meant that they were not sincere. Jewish leaders were like the graves: clean, and white on the outside but dirty on the inside. Luke said the Pharisees were like unmarked graves (Luke 11:44).
Matthew 23: 29-39
29 “It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets. You make the graves of good people beautiful. 30 You claim, ‘If we had lived in the time of our ancestors, we would not have helped them kill the prophets.’ 31 So, you are admitting you are the sons of the men who murdered the prophets! 32 You are finishing what your ancestors started.” 33 “You snakes! You are from a family of poisonous snakes! How will you escape the judgment of hell? 34 Look! I am sending you prophets, wise men, and teachers of the law. You will kill some of them and you will nail others to crosses. You will whip some of them in your synagogues. You will chase them from town to town. 35 You will have to answer for the death of every good person who has been killed on earth. You will have to answer for all the spilled blood from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah. You murdered Zechariah between the temple sanctuary and the altar. 36 I am telling you the truth: All these things will happen to the people of this generation!” 37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. God sent you His men, but you stoned them to death. I have often wanted to gather up your people, as a hen gathers up her baby chicks under her wings, but you refused. 38 Listen! Your house is completely abandoned. 39 I tell you, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Praise to the one who is coming with the authority of the Lord God.'”
[29-32] The Pharisees tried to honour the prophets by taking care of their graves. But Jesus said they were no better than their ancestors who killed the prophets.
[33-36] Abel was murdered by his brother Cain (Genesis 4:8). This was the first murder committed. We do not know who Zechariah was. Perhaps he was the one mentioned in 2 Chronicles 24:20-21, the last book of the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus meant that because the Jews rejected Him, they continued the pattern of murder found in the Scriptures from the beginning. In verse thirty-six, Jesus said serious things would come upon these people. Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70, less than 40 years after Jesus spoke these words.
Jerusalem Will Be Destroyed, 23:37-39 (Luke 13:34-35).
[37] Jesus was concerned about Jerusalem. Luke put these words of Jesus some time before His entry into Jerusalem (Luke 13:34-35). Jesus compared Himself to a hen concerned for her chicks. The Jews had treated God’s men like adulterers (Deuteronomy 17:5, 7) and sorcerers (Leviticus 20:27) by stoning them. God wants all men to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). Man’s refusal is the only thing that keeps salvation away.
[38-39] Jesus here announced the end of His public ministry. When He entered Jerusalem, many shouted, “Praise to the one who is coming with the authority of the Lord God.” When He comes again (His Second Coming), everyone will praise Him. But then it will be too late.
Matthew 24:1-14
24 1 Jesus left the temple courtyard. While he was walking away, his followers came to him to show him the beautiful things of the temple area. 2 Jesus said to them, “Do you see all these things? I am telling you the truth: Everything you see here will be destroyed. No stone will stay on top of another. Everything will be completely destroyed!” 3 While Jesus was sitting on Olive Mountain, his followers came to him alone. They asked, “Tell us, when will these things happen? How will we know when it is the time for you to return? When will the end of the age be?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Be careful! Don’t let anyone fool you. 5 Many people will come to you using my name. They will say, ‘I am the Messiah!’ And, they will fool many people. 6 You will hear about wars and wars that are about to begin. Be sure that you don’t get upset. These things must happen, but the end will come later. 7 One country will fight against another country. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. There will not be enough food to eat. Everywhere there will be earthquakes, 8 but all these things are only the beginning of the pain.” 9 “Then they will hand you over to some men for torturing. They will kill you. All people will hate you, because of my name. 10 Then many people will feel disgraced; they will turn against one another. They will hate each other. 11 Many false prophets will appear. They will fool many people. 12 Because the influence of sin will be so strong, the love of many people will grow cold. 13 But the person who endures until the end will be saved. 14 This Good News about the kingdom will be preached in the whole world, so that all nations may hear the truth. And then the end will come.”