# 104 The Eight Woes of Religious Hypocrites - Matthew 23:13-36

 Introduction: We want to begin by looking at the number of times the word, “woe” is used here in our text – 23:13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 25, 27, and 29. It is used eight times.

  Now, what does the word “woe” mean? According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia this word is: “An interjection expressing great distress or sorrow; or a noun signifying a condition of deep suffering due to a calamity that has befallen or will befall a person or community.”[1]

   Perhaps you have heard someone say, “Woe, I wouldn’t do that? And if you continue you are going to suffer the consequences.”   

  Next, please note that Jesus is addressing the scribes (the scholars of the law), and the Pharisees (the instructors/teachers of the law). These two groups were to lay down the law, and they were to help people practice the law. They were so warped in their behavior that they could do neither.

   Look at the word “hypocrites”. Jesus calls the scribes and the pharisees hypocrites. This word is used seven times in this passage. How well do you think this went over? Probably not well. Do any of us like it when someone accuses us of being hypocrites? Not at all.

   In the Bible Sense Lexicon, the word “hypocrite” means actor – a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives.

   Easton Bible Dictionary says, “One who puts on a mask and feigns himself to be what he is not; a dissembler in religion.”

   So, there is a sorrow and a warning (woe) against the scribes and the Pharisees (scholars and teachers) because they were practicing hypocrites (actors).

   So, what are the Eight Woes of Religious Hypocrites found in text? Let’s look at them together. They are:

1. Woe to you – You shut up the kingdom of heaven – 23:13

   13“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

   Look at the words,

   For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men;

   The word “against” means, before, or in the face of – in men’s faces. These religious leaders closed the door of the kingdom of heaven in the face of men.

Knocking on Doors

  When I was a new pastor in Nemo, South Dakota I was out knocking on doors. I knocked on one door, and the person opened it up, I told them who I was, and they responded, “Not interested, and they closed the door on my face.”  Now, I know how hurtful it was to have someone close their home door on me, I cannot imagine having someone shut the kingdom of heaven from someone. But this is exactly what the scribes and the Pharisees were doing.

  Notice that we also read,

   For you neither go in yourselves,

   The scribes and the Pharisees also rejected Jesus’ invitation to become a part of the kingdom of heaven. They were unwilling to walk through the door.

   I would say to all you who are hearing my voice today – do not reject the greatest invitation – and by all means don’t allow religion to keep you out of the kingdom of heaven.

   Finally, the verse says,

   nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

  The scribes and the Pharisees were roadblocks to heaven.

   H. A. Ironside wrote, “it is a very serious thing to stand in the way of anyone who might otherwise be prepared to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

2. Woe to you – You devour widows’ houses – 23:14

   14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

   What does it mean to devour widow’s houses? Jon Courson writes, “The Pharisees, however, manipulated those who mourned. You see, when a man died, the Pharisees would show up on his doorstep telling his widow that if she wanted to honor her husband’s memory, she would make a donation to their ministry. Watch out for that, precious people. In this day when there’s an abundance of fund-raising, be on guard against those who seek to manipulate rather than to comfort.”[2]

   The Bible WARNS against taking advantage of widows.

  I believe that we see this happening in our day and age through the prosperity gospel. We have various false “PROFITS” who make contact with widows and they devour what funds their husbands may have left for them in their passing. These charlatans will not go unpunished – judgment day will come for them.

  And what about their prayers? The scribes and Pharisees were excellent prayers. Look at the word “pretense” in this verse. The word means “outward showing, Cloke, or show”. They prayed for show only. The widows might have thought that their prayers were sincere, but they weren’t.

   One of the worst things people can do today is to PREY on widows. Well, I have got news for you – God sees! Verse 14 concludes,

   Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

   This means a greater damnation, or a more severe sentence.

   You cannot mess with the widows and not pay a price in the future. God will see to it that the hypocrites face serious consequences.

3. Wow to you – You make converts like yourselves – 23:15

   15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

   The scribes and the Pharisees were willing to travel long distances to win one person (one proselyte), but after they have been won, they will do everything to make them twice as much a son of hell.

   The word “proselyte” means, convert to a cause.

   One person penned, “He will become more Pharisaic than the Pharisees themselves.”   

   We read here in this verse,  

   you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

   The words “son of hell” is equivalent of “child of the devil.”

   It has been said, “You are either a child of God, or you are a child of the devil.”

4. Woe to you – You make oaths that mean nothing – 23:16-22

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.

   Notice that Jesus calls them, “blind guides.”

   Can you imagine starting a business in Spirit Lake, Idaho called, “Blind Guide Service of North Idaho?” Tag line: Allow us to be your guide. I pretty sure this business wouldn’t do very well.

   These verses are all about oath making. I had mentioned to you that the scribes and the Pharisees came up with an elaborate way to make oaths to protect themselves from having to give up personal resources.

· They would swear (make an oath) by the temple. And it meant nothing.

· They would swear (make an oath) by the altar. And it meant nothing.

· However, they taught that if anyone would swear (make an oath) by the gold in the temple, or the gifts on the alar they were obliged to perform the oath.  

   Warren W. Wiersbe writes, “The Pharisees were blind to the true values of life. Their priorities were confused. They would take an oath and use some sacred object to substantiate that oath—the gold in the temple, for example, or the gift on the altar. But they would not swear by the temple itself or the altar. It was the temple that sanctified the gold and the altar that sanctified the gift. They were leaving God out of their priorities.

Jesus knew that the Pharisees wanted both the gold and the gifts on the altar. This is why the Pharisees practiced “Corban”—anything dedicated to God could not be used for others (Matt. 15:1–9; Mark 7:10–13). These men were not seeking for the righteousness of God; they were greedy for gain. They worked out a “religious system” that permitted them to rob God and others and still maintain their reputations.”[3]

Jesus reminded His listeners that every oath is binding because of who dwells in the temple – God!

5. Woe to you – You pay tithes but neglect the weightier matters – 23:23-24

23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

   The word “tithe” means, a tenth. The scribes and the Pharisees taught that people were to give to God a tenth of their garden, even down to the smallest of spices – mint, dill, and cumin.

   Can you imagine picking your spices and measuring out a tenth of everything? This is speaking about how people often major on the minors. How we focus on little things at the expense of the weightier matters in life.

   And this is exactly what Jesus said here in verse 23,

   and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.

· Justice – from accusation to judgment.

· Mercy – compassion, tender mercy.

· Faith – believe, trust, rely upon.

   Notice again that Jesus calls the scribes and the Pharisees “blind guides”. When you follow a blind guide you both fall into a ditch, or you both wander further from the truth.

   Jesus says that they,

   strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

   A gnat is considered the smallest of the unclean insects (Leviticus 11:20,23, 41, 42), and a camel is considered the largest of the unclean animals (Leviticus 11:4).

   The scribes and the Pharisees would strain out their wine to not swallow a gnat, an unclean insect, but they would swallow (drink down, gulp) a camel, and unclean animal. What this teaches us is the scribes and the Pharisees focused on the little issues, and they missed the bigger picture all together.

   Far too many of us even today major on the minors and minor on the majors. Brethren, this ought not to be.

6. Wow to you – You clean the outside, but not the inside – 23:25-26

25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

   Taking a bath may clean your body, but unless your heart has been changed you are still quite dirty. This was true with the scribes and the Pharisees. Jesus said that inside they were full of extortion and self-indulgence.

The Farmer’s Pig

   Did you hear about the farmer that gave his pig a bath, put a bow around his neck, and poured on some sweet-smelling perfume on the pig. On the outside of the pig looked good. The farmer was pleased. However, when the farmer opened the door, the pig ran out of the house, out into the field and laid down in the mud. Why? The inward nature of the pig had not changed. The pig did what pigs do – it returned to the mud.

   Jesus says that one must first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. In other words, get a clean heart, and you will live a clean life. The nature of man must be changed first!

   Religion tries to clean up outwardly, but Jesus says that it all must start with an internal cleansing.

7. Woe to you – You are whitewashed tombs – 23:27-28

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

   I have read that Jews would whitewash the outside of tombs before each Passover, so that strangers traveling into Jerusalem would not accidently touch them and become ceremonially unclean.

   Jesus borrows from that behavior and tells the people that the scribes and the Pharisees are just like the whitewashed tombs – they look great on the outside, bit inwardly that are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

   Have you ever heard of someone painting over something to hide what is behind it, so that they could sell it? This is the scribes and the Pharisees – they had an appearance of being righteous, but inside (in their hearts) they were full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

· Hypocrisy– faking it.

· Lawlessness– wickedness, unrighteousness.

   We need to remember that people may see us one way, but God see the real us!

8. Woe to you – You build the tombs of the prophets – 23:29

29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ 31 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. 33Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

   In verses 29-30, Jesus taught that the scribes and the Pharisees took part in honoring the prophets by adorning and decorating their tombs, and that they said that had they been alive during the times of the prophets that they would have not been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. They tried to appear that they were open to God’s messengers – they weren’t.

   In verses 31-33, Jesus says,

   31 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. 33Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

   Jesus is saying that the scribes and the Pharisees are just as guilty. Different age, but same behavior traits against God’s messengers – anger, violence, and murder.

   Notice the language Jesus uses in verse 33:

   Serpents, brood of vipers! How shall you escape the condemnation of hell?

   Jesus was telling the multitude and His disciples that the scribes and the Pharisees were of the family of the devil, and that they will face the same condemnation – hell.

  And to drive it home that they were just like their forefathers Jesus speaks about the present. He says in verses 34,

   34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,

   That’s what they did to John the Baptist, and that is what they do throughout the book of Acts. Remember, they killed Stephen (Acts 7).

   Finally, Jesus tells them that they will be held responsible for the blood of the prophets. Look at verses 35-36,

    35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

· Abel was the first Prophet – His murder is recorded in Genesis (first book of the Hebrew Bible. Genesis 4:8).

· Zechariah was the last Prophet – His murder is recorded in 2 Chronicles (last book of the Hebrew Bible. 2 Chronicles 24:20-22).

   Jesus is telling them that they will not escape divine judgment for murdering God’s mouthpieces. There is no escape!

Conclusion: The teaching of Jesus here has a two-fold purpose: First, to warn the scribes and the Pharisees of the judgment that awaits them. You can’t practice open rebellion and not face the eternal consequences.

   And please understand that this message was not shared without emotion. Jesus felt a deep heaviness, a sorrow, a grief for what the scribes and the Pharisees were going to face. Like Jesus none of us should desire condemnation on others. No, we should want to see them turn and repent. To have a transformed heart and life.

   Second, Jesus was sternly warning His listeners, the multitude and His disciples. Jesus was telling them what to steer clear away from – don’t do what the scribes and the Pharisees do. Make sure that you live differently!

   Finally, as I bring this message to a close, I want to share some practical ways in which we can do the exact opposite of the scribes and the Pharisees.

1. Open the door for others to enter the kingdom of heaven. Invite, witness, and pray for the salvation of others.

2. Do everything in your power to protect the vulnerable (i.e., widows). Speak up and speak out against abuse.

3. Don’t just proselyte – make disciples (followers of Jesus Christ).

4. Never make an oath that you are unwilling to keep. God hears all oaths.

5. Tithing is just one aspect of Christianity. It’s not all of Christianity. Don’t neglect the weightier matters (i.e., justice, mercy, and faith).

6. Take a spiritual bath every day – inside and out. Nothing better than a spiritual cleansing.

7. Watch out for hypocrisy – looking good on the outside, but knowing things are not good on the inside.

8. Receive the messengers of God and God’s Word.

[1]Wyper, G., & Opperwall, N. J. (1979–1988). Woe. In G. W. Bromiley (Ed.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Vol. 4, p. 1088). Wm. B. Eerdmans.

[2]Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (p. 166). Thomas Nelson.

[3]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 84–85). Victor Books.