Matthew 23:1-12
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees
23 Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. 4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear,[a] and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries[b] broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.[c] 10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. 11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; 12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 23:4 Other ancient authorities omit hard to bear
- 23.5 phylacteries: Little leather boxes containing, on a very small scroll, the principal words of the law; cf. Deut 6.4-9. Taking the command literally, they fastened these to their arms and their foreheads.
- 23.9 i.e., “Do not use the title without reference to God’s universal fatherhood.” He cannot mean that the title is never to be used by a son to his father.
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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