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Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’s seat;(A) therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it, but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,[a] and lay them on the shoulders of others, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.(B) They do all their deeds to be seen by others, for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long.(C) They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues(D) and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.(E) And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father, the one in heaven.(F) 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah.[b] 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.(G) 12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 23.4 Other ancient authorities lack hard to bear
  2. 23.10 Or the Christ

Religious Hypocrites Denounced

23 Then(A) Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples:(B) “The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses.[a](C) Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do,[b] because they don’t practice what they teach.(D) They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry[c] and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger[d] to move them.(E) They do everything[e] to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries[f](F) and lengthen their tassels.[g](G) They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues,(H) greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.

“But as for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher,[h] and you are all brothers.(I) Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.(J) 10 And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master,[i] the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.(K) 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 23:2 Perhaps a special chair for teaching in synagogues, or a metaphorical phrase for teaching with Moses’ authority
  2. Matthew 23:3 Lit do according to their works
  3. Matthew 23:4 Other mss omit that are hard to carry
  4. Matthew 23:4 Lit lift with their finger
  5. Matthew 23:5 Lit do all their works
  6. Matthew 23:5 Small leather boxes containing OT texts, worn by Jews on their arms and foreheads
  7. Matthew 23:5 Other mss add on their robes
  8. Matthew 23:8 Other mss add the Messiah
  9. Matthew 23:10 Or Teacher