MATTHEW 23
JESUS REBUKES THE PHARISEES + MOURNS FOR JERUSALEM
While teaching among the crowds and disciples, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and the scribes, calling them out for their practices of false religiosity. These religious leaders preach the law, but do not follow it. Their actions appear righteous, but their hearts are not turned towards God. Jesus, the greatest among them, is a humble servant to the people. Jesus teaches that whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, but whoever humbles themselves will be exalted. Jesus values humility and consideration over pride and entitlement.
Jesus offers seven warnings or woes to the Pharisees and scribes. First, Jesus calls the religious leaders hypocrites, saying they defer people from entering the kingdom of heaven. Despite the Pharisees' efforts to convert others to follow the Law, they simply create other legalistic Pharisees, letting the blind lead the blind.
Jesus refutes their value system relating to oaths or promises. God sees everyone who breaks their promises, regardless of ritual. Despite the tithes of the religious people, they have forgotten the more important aspects of generosity. They give out of obligation, but neglect justice and mercy. Instead of giving faithfully, the Pharisees give for show.
Jesus compares the Pharisees to a cup that is meticulously clean on the outside, but dirty on the inside. Jesus wants the Pharisees to cleanse themselves of greed and self-indulgence and be more concerned with their character than their image. Similarly, Jesus compares them to whitewashed-tombs, beautiful on the outside, but dead and rotten beneath the surface.
Jesus confronts the rebellious and disobedient actions of the Pharisees. God has sent them prophets and wise men, but they have ignored or killed them all. Jesus refers to the Pharisees as serpents, calling them a brood of vipers. Jesus says the self-righteous Pharisees are responsible for innocent bloodshed, including the prophet Zechariah. Jesus mentions Abel, who was killed by his brother Cain for after providing an offering more honorable to God (Genesis 4). The Pharisees are like Cain, having missed God’s message of love and humility.
Jesus laments over the rejection He has faced from the people of Jerusalem. Jesus wants to gather God’s children, uniting them together, but they have been unwilling. Jesus refers to Jerusalem as the city that kills prophets and says He will not enter the city until the time they will say “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” prophesying His entrance into Jerusalem (Luke 19).
