Matthew 23:1-22
Q.1. Why did Jesus denounce the Scribes and Pharisees to the crowds and His disciples? How should they have responded to these religious leaders? What charge did Jesus lay at their feet? – (Mt.23:1-4)
The role of the scribes and Pharisees was to bring the people to salvation and to lead them to the Saviour. However, they did the opposite. In order to keep the people from following falsehood, Jesus detailed the empty religion of the Scribes and Pharisees. These leaders considered themselves as teachers of the Law of Moses. However, Jesus cautioned – therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them (Mt.23:3). He charged the religious leaders with making the religion of Israel burdensome rather than a delight (Mt.23:4). They did nothing that helped the people, and totally misrepresented God (Mt.23:5).
Q.2. What was their chief problem? How did Jesus view religious titles? Who should be the centre of attention? What should believers aspire to be? How will our attitudes be rewarded? – (Mt.23:5-12)
The chief problem of the Scribes and Pharisees was religious pride. Their religious traditions were for show (Mt.23:5). They sought honour for themselves, more than honour for God. (Mt.23:6-7). Jesus counselled the crowds – 8 But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ (Mt.23:8-10). In life we do have teachers, fathers, and leaders. Here, Jesus was referring to the conferring of titles and honours that elevate men above others, or even above God, in people’s thinking. Christ is to be the centre of our attention (Mt.23:10). Many of the honoured positions of men will be reversed by God. The best role to strive for is to be a servant – 11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted (Mt.23:11-12 c.f. Lk.14:7-11).
Q.3. What did Jesus mean by ‘woe’? What was hypocritical about the ministry of the Scribes and Pharisees? Were they saved? How did their view of religion border on superstition? – (Mt.23:13-22)
When the word ‘woe’ is used in Scripture, it is signifying impending doom, condemnation, and the coming wrath of God. Jesus was speaking of the doom that God will pour out on such hypocritical leaders – You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell? (Mt.23:33). From verses 13-29, woes are mentioned eight times, and are mostly spoken of about hypocrites. This was the strongest condemnation by Jesus of any people on earth. They were all Jewish religious leaders who were part of God’s covenant people, yet – you do not enter the kingdom of heaven yourselves (Mt.23:13). They were supposed to represent the living God, but in reality – 13 … you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in … AND 15 … you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves (Mt.23:13-15). Jesus had already warned that we should be very careful with our words, promises, and vows. He was not endorsing their practices (c.f. Mt.5:33-37; 12:36). Jesus called them blind guides, and asserted – 20 Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells within it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it (Mt.23:20-22). Jesus despised the schemes which they followed, rather than making vows to God (c.f. Mt.15:3-6).