"HYPOCRISY DENOUNCED"

Parallel Gospel Accounts -

Matthew 23:1-12 - make three observations

Mark 12:38-40 - make three observations

Luke 20:45-47 - make three observations

Proposition - As we continue in our study this morning we are going to look at 1) the warning 2) the motivation, 3) the rationale, and 4) the confrontation.

Interrogative question - What does your life say about what your believe?

1. The Warning - vs. 1-3

Matthew 23:1–3 NASB95

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 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.

Who is Jesus talking to?

Why is He no longer talking to the Pharisees?

What is the warning that Jesus gives?

Mt 23:2 seated in the chair of Moses: The metaphor may point to a literal stone seat in front of the synagogue where the teacher (usually a scribe) sat. In any case Jesus’ words reflected the Pharisees’ claim that Moses could be understood only as they interpreted him. Lemke, S. W. (2007). The Academic Use of Gospel Harmonies. In Holman Christian Standard Bible: Harmony of the Gospels (p. 168). Holman Bible Publishers.

23:2 Moses’ seat. The expression is equivalent to a university’s “chair of philosophy.” To “sit in Moses’ seat” was to have the highest authority to instruct people in the law. The expression here may be translated, “[they] have seated themselves in Moses’ seat”—stressing the fact that this was an imaginary authority they claimed for themselves. There was a legitimate sense in which the priests and Levites had authority to decide matters of the law (Deut. 17:9), but the scribes and Pharisees had gone beyond any legitimate authority and were adding human tradition to the Word of God (15:3–9). For that Jesus condemned them (vv. 8–36). MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1436). Word Pub.

2. The Motivation - vs. 4-7

Matthew 23:4–7 NASB95

4 “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. 5 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.

What does it mean “they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders…?”

What do the religious leaders do what they do?

Mt 23:4 aren‘t willing to lift a finger: The Pharisees made demands of others without helping them perform those duties. Lemke, S. W. (2007). The Academic Use of Gospel Harmonies. In Holman Christian Standard Bible: Harmony of the Gospels (p. 168). Holman Bible Publishers.

Mt 23:5 phylacteries … tassels: Phylacteries consisted of four strips of parchment inscribed with texts (Ex 13:3–10, 11–16; Dt 6:4–9; 11:13–21) and enclosed in a leather case. Adult Jews wore them bound to the left arm and the forehead. They also wore tassels with a “blue cord” on their garments as a reminder of the Lord’s commands (Nm 15:37–41). Lemke, S. W. (2007). The Academic Use of Gospel Harmonies. In Holman Christian Standard Bible: Harmony of the Gospels (p. 168). Holman Bible Publishers.

Likely refers to small boxes containing Scripture passages that Jews wore on their foreheads or arms. The scribes and Pharisees apparently enlarged these boxes to make them more visible (see Exod 13:9; Deut 6:8; 11:18). Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Mt 23:5). Lexham Press.

23:5 phylacteries. Small cube-shaped cases made of leather, containing Scripture passages written on parchment. They were worn on the left arm and forehead as a literal way to obey the admonition of Deut. 11:18 (cf. Ex. 13:9; Deut. 6:8). fringes. Tassels with a blue cord that were attached to the four corners of a man’s garment (Num. 15:37–41; Deut. 22:12), reminding the people to obey God’s commandments and to be holy (Num. 15:40). Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1871). Crossway Bibles.

3. The Rationale - vs. 8-10

Matthew 23:8–10 NASB95

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.

Why did the religious leaders do what they did?

23:8–10 The point of this text is not what titles may legitimately be used in addressing those in authority, but that titles are not to be used to confer privilege or status. Jesus used characteristically Semitic, hyperbolic rhetoric to get His point across. Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J. P., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (p. 1445). Holman Bible Publishers.

4. The Confrontation - vs. 11-12

Matthew 23:11–12 NASB95

11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

why do you think that Jesus responded this way?

What place does pride have in your life?

SO WHAT??