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Jesus Tells The Crowds: Do Not Act Like The Scribes And Pharisees

23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying— “The scribes and the Pharisees sat-down[a] on the seat of Moses. 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. 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. And they do all their works so-as to be seen by people. For they widen their phylacteries[e] and lengthen their tassels[f]. And they love the place-of-honor[g] at the banquets, and the seats-of-honor[h] in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’[i] by people. But you— do not be called[j] ‘Rabbi’. For One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 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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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 23:2 That is, they took their seat as teachers of the Law.
  2. Matthew 23:3 Lit, doing. That is, Do what they teach you from the Law, but do not be doing what they do.
  3. Matthew 23:4 Jesus is referring to their traditions, their man-made rules of conduct.
  4. Matthew 23:4 That is, to help those carrying them; or, to carry them themselves.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Matthew 23:6 Lit, the first reclining place (they reclined to eat); the foremost place to eat.
  8. Matthew 23:6 Lit, first seats, foremost seats.
  9. Matthew 23:7 Or, Teacher.
  10. Matthew 23:8 Do not accept the title of ‘teacher’, elevating you above your brothers and sisters. God is your teacher.
  11. Matthew 23:9 Do not give out such honor to others by calling them ‘father’.
  12. Matthew 23:10 That is, the honored teaching expert who leads the way in a thing.
  13. Matthew 23:11 Or, greatest.

A Warning Against Hypocrisy(A)(B)

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law(C) and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.(D)

“Everything they do is done for people to see:(E) They make their phylacteries[a](F) wide and the tassels on their garments(G) long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;(H) they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.(I)

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father,(J) and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.(K) 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 23:5 That is, boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm