Scripture Study: Matthew 23

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Matthew 23  •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Matthew 23.
The disciples are looked at here as the godly remnant of the Jews. The leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, are seen as teachers of the law. Sitting in Moses’ seat, they were to be obeyed in all they said according to that law, although they were behaving the opposite. The disciples were to recognize all that was of God, but they were also to recognize and avoid the sinful behavior of those leaders.
It is a chapter of denunciation of the wicked ways of those leaders.
Matthew 23:44For 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. (Matthew 23:4). They bind heavy burdens on others, but would not move them with one of their fingers. They were but fingerposts pointing the way, but they never went themselves.
Matthew 23:55But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, (Matthew 23:5). Their works and religious dress and outward sanctity were but to be seen of men, and (verses 6, 7) to be honored of men.
Matthew 23:88But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (Matthew 23:8). But the disciples were not to be called Rabbi, for Christ was their Master; they were brethren.
Matthew 23:99And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (Matthew 23:9). They were to call no roan father upon earth for One is their Father, who is in heaven. This forbids the religious titles of today. that men take assuming authority above others. Not even Master (teacher), for Christ is your instructor (verse 10).
Were they not well warned?
They would not go into the blessing God had provided and they hindered others from going in, they shut up the kingdom of heaven against men.
Matthew 23:1414Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. (Matthew 23:14). “Woe unto you,” for ye devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayer; therefore ye shall receive the greater judgment.
Matthew 23:29-3229Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. (Matthew 23:29‑32). They build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the sepulchers of the righteous, and say, “If we had been in the (lays of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Gehenna, the lake of fire).
Matthew 23:3434Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: (Matthew 23:34). “Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes.” Some of those were the very disciples there at that moment, but spoken of in Jewish terms. This would test those leaders, and the Lord tells beforehand what would happen. “Some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city.”
Matthew 23:35-3635That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (Matthew 23:35‑36). Frightful was the amount of guilt that was upon their heads. From Abel downwards they had heard the story of their wicked obduracy, and of God’s long-suffering mercy. Now this long suffering was run out and they were obdurate and rebellious still, and upon their heads would be poured out the accumulated wrath of God. “Verily I say unto you, all these things shall come upon this generation.”
Ecclesiastical assumption of authority, with profession of orthodoxy, has ever been the persecuting power and opposition to truth in every age and country. The Scriptures record it of Israel; the scribes and Pharisees finish the story here. The Lord Himself testifies to it.
Matthew 23:37-3937O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Matthew 23:37‑39). But with what tender pathos the Lord now pronounces judgment on His beloved city. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not!” How often as Jehovah had He sent His warnings and entreaties? (Psa. 81:13-1613Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! 14I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. 15The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. 16He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. (Psalm 81:13‑16); Isa. 48:1818O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: (Isaiah 48:18)). Now ail was at an end. “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, ye shall not see me, henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Psa. 118). They rejected Him who is the Sun of Righteousness, so must lie desolate till repentance is wrought (proposed but still refused in Acts 3). In the appointed time they will as a nation realize their sin, and long for His coming and reign, and rejoice in that day when He comes. “This is the day Jehovah hath made; we will be glad and rejoice in it” (Psa. 118:21-2921I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. 22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. 27God is the Lord, which hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. 28Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. 29O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 118:21‑29)).