Matthew 23:1-22 ▼

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples,

2 saying: “The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in Moses’ chair [of authority as teachers of the Law];

3 so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.

4 The scribes and Pharisees tie up heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter].

5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries (tefillin) wide [to make them more conspicuous] and make their tassels long.

6 They love the place of distinction and honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues [those on the platform near the scrolls of the Law, facing the congregation],

7 and to be greeted [with respect] in the market places and public forums, and to have people call them Rabbi.

8 But do not be called Rabbi (Teacher); for One is your Teacher, and you are all [equally] brothers.

9 Do not call anyone on earth [who guides you spiritually] your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

10 Do not let yourselves be called leaders or teachers; for One is your Leader (Teacher), the Christ.

11 But the greatest among you will be your servant.

12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be raised to honor.

13 “But woe (judgment is coming) to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so.

14 [Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you swallow up widows’ houses, and to cover it up you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.]

15 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte (convert to Judaism), and when he becomes a convert, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, that is nothing (non-binding); but whoever swears [an oath] by the gold of the temple is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’

17 You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary of the temple that sanctified the gold?

18 And [you scribes and Pharisees say], ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, that is nothing (non-binding), but whoever swears [an oath] by the offering on it, he is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’

19 You [spiritually] blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?

20 Therefore, whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, swears both by it and by everything [offered] on it.

21 And whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells within it.

22 And whoever swears [an oath] by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.