Matthew
23:1-12
Lesson 46
23:1-12
Lesson 46
Matthew 23:1-12
Warning 1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. |
Margin notes:
"Moses' seat." (23:2) - The honorary seat reserved for a teacher of the Law of Moses. "Whatsoever they bid you observe." (23:3) - "Whatever they say, you do." "But do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." (23:3) - "But don't do what they do, because they say one thing and do another." In other words, the Pharisees and scribes didn't practice what they preached. Paul expands on this hypocrisy in Romans 2:17-24. "They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne." (23:4) - Means "they (the scribes and Pharisees) saddle people with heavy, hard to bear (religious) burdens." In this passage, Jesus addresses the crowd and His disciples (23:1). In Luke 11:46, He confronts the scribes and Pharisees, accusing them of imposing unnecessary burdens on their followers. In contrast, Jesus' "burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). It's important to note that the practice of placing unnecessary burdens on believers did not cease with the Pharisees. In Acts 15:10-11, Peter cautioned the Judaizers (Jewish Christians in the early church) against imposing needless burdens on Gentile converts. "All their works they do for to be seen of men." (23:5) - "All the things they do is for show." Scribes and Pharisees prayed and performed good deeds to get praised. Jesus first warned against such hypocrisy in Matthew 6:1-2, 6:5, 6:16. "Love the uppermost rooms at feasts." (23:6) - "(They) love the place of honor at banquets." See also Mark 12:38-39 and Luke 11:43. "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant." (23:11) - Jesus reinforces His teaching from verses 20:26-27. "Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased." (23:12) - "Whoever praises himself will be humbled." See Proverbs 29:23; Ezekiel 21:26; Luke 14:11 and 18:14. |