Matthew 23:1-12
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Jesus Tells The Crowds: Do Not Act Like The Scribes And Pharisees
23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying— “The scribes and the Pharisees sat-down[a] on the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and be keeping all that they tell you. But do not be acting[b] in accordance with their works. For they say things and do not do them. 4 And they bind-up heavy and hard-to-bear burdens[c] and lay them on the shoulders of people. But they are not willing to move[d] them with their finger. 5 And they do all their works so-as to be seen by people. For they widen their phylacteries[e] and lengthen their tassels[f]. 6 And they love the place-of-honor[g] at the banquets, and the seats-of-honor[h] in the synagogues, 7 and the greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’[i] by people. 8 But you— do not be called[j] ‘Rabbi’. For One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call[k] one on earth your father. For One is your Father— the heavenly One. 10 Nor be called master-teachers[l], because your master-teacher is One— the Christ. 11 But the greater[m] of you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever will exalt himself will be humbled, and whoever will humble himself will be exalted.
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- Matthew 23:2 That is, they took their seat as teachers of the Law.
- Matthew 23:3 Lit, doing. That is, Do what they teach you from the Law, but do not be doing what they do.
- Matthew 23:4 Jesus is referring to their traditions, their man-made rules of conduct.
- Matthew 23:4 That is, to help those carrying them; or, to carry them themselves.
- Matthew 23:5 That is, the small leather boxes worn on the forehead and arm, containing Ex 13:1-10, 11-16; Deut 6:4-9; 11:13-21. This symbolized guarding oneself to keep the commandments, in literal obedience to Ex 13:9, 16; Deut 6:8; 11:18. But the Pharisees made them bigger for show.
- Matthew 23:5 That is, the tassels the Jews wore on the four corners of their garments in obedience to Num 15:38-41. Jesus Himself wore them, Mt 9:20; 14:36. But they lengthened them for show.
- Matthew 23:6 Lit, the first reclining place (they reclined to eat); the foremost place to eat.
- Matthew 23:6 Lit, first seats, foremost seats.
- Matthew 23:7 Or, Teacher.
- Matthew 23:8 Do not accept the title of ‘teacher’, elevating you above your brothers and sisters. God is your teacher.
- Matthew 23:9 Do not give out such honor to others by calling them ‘father’.
- Matthew 23:10 That is, the honored teaching expert who leads the way in a thing.
- Matthew 23:11 Or, greatest.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing