Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,

Jesus Denounces the Scribes

⁴⁵ In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, ⁴⁶ “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and who love respectful greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets.^(A)

A Warning against Hypocrisy

12 Meanwhile, when the crowd had gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy.^(A)

Things That Defile

¹⁰ Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: ¹¹ it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.”^{(A) 12} Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” ¹³ He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.^{(B) 14} Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.^[a] And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.”^{(C) 15} But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.”^{(D) 16} Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding?^{(E) 17} Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? ¹⁸ But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles.^{(F) 19} For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.^{(G) 20} These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”

Settling with Your Opponent

⁵⁷ “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

Jesus Denounces the Scribes

³⁸ As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces^{(A) 39} and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!

¹⁴ Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: