Matthew 23:1
Outline:
I. \\#Matt 1:1-3:17\\ The Presentation of the King
II. \\#4:1-7:29\\ The Person of the King
III. \\#8:1-11:1\\ The Power of the King
IV. \\#Matthew 11:2-14:13\\ Decisions Concerning the King
V. \\#Matt 14:13-16:12\\ Training the Disciples
VI. \\#Matt 16:13-20\\ Decision by the Disciples
VII. \\#Matthew 16:21-20:28\\ Final Instructions of the King
VIII. \\#Matt 21:1-28:15\\ The Holy Week
A. \\#Matt 21:1-11\\ Sunday, Nisan 10-One week before
the resurrection
1. Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
2. Jesus "looks" in the temple.
3. Jesus returns to Bethany in the evening.
B. \\#Matt 21:12-17\\ Monday, Nisan 11
1. Jesus curses the fig tree.
2. Jesus cleanses the temple.
3. Jesus teaches the people.
4. Jesus returns to Bethany for the night.
C. \\#Matt 21:18-26:16\\ Tuesday, Nisan 12
1. Jesus teaches from the cursed fig tree.
\\#Matt 21:18-22, Mark 11:20-25\\
2. Jesus teaches from the temple.
\\#Matt 21:23-23:29\\
\\#Mark 11:27-12:44\\
\\#Luke 20:1-21:4\\
(a) \\#Matt 21:23-27\\ His authority
(b) \\#Matt 21:28-32\\ Parable - It is not too
late to do the right thing.
(c) \\#Matt 21:33-46\\ Parable - Judgment will
come to Israel for what they are about to
do.
(d) \\#Matt 22:1-14\\ Parable - If the Jews will
not come, others will.
(e) \\#Matt 22:15-46\\ The Jews try to trap
Jesus.
(f) \\#Matt 23:1-12\\ Teachings from the wrong
behavior of the Pharisees.
(g) \\#Matt 23:13-33\\ Woes Against the
Pharisees.
(h) \\#Matt 23:34-39\\ A curse against Israel.
3. Olivet Discourses
\\#Matt 24:1-25:46\\
\\#Mark 13:1-37\\
\\#Luke 20:1-21:4\\
4. The Evil Ones
\\#Matt 26:1-5, 14-16\\
\\#Mark 14:1-2, 10-11\\
\\#Luke 22:2-6\\
\\#John 13:2\\
5. Passages not yet discussed
\\#Matt 26:6-13\\
\\#Mark 14:3-9\\
D. \\#Matt 26:17-75\\Wednesday, Nisan 13
1. A New Day
\\#Matt 26:17\\
\\#Luke 21:38-22:1\\
\\#Mark 14:12\\
\\#John 13:1\\
2. Prepare the Passover
\\#Matt 26:17-19\\
3. The Meal - Technically, Thursday began at sunset.
\\#Matt 26:20-30\\
4. The Mount of Olives
\\#Matt 26:31-56\\
5. Caiaphas’ \\#Matt 26:57-75\\
E. \\#Matt 27:1-61\\ Thursday, Nisan 14 (Passover)
F. \\#Matt 27:62-66\\ Friday, Nisan 15 (First day of
Unleavened Bread)
G. \\#Matt 28:1-15\\ Sunday, Nisan 17 (Resurrection and
Feast of First Fruits)
Matthew 22 - In the last chapter, the Pharisees set about to entrap
Jesus in His words. They aligned themselves with a variety of
groups, some with whom they were normally at odds. In this chapter,
Jesus denounces them; not merely for attacking Him, but because of
their wicked condition.
I. \\#Matt 23:1-12\\ Teachings from the wrong behavior of the
Pharisees.
Matt 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude,
and to his disciples,
A. \\#1\\ Jesus was still in the temple, but the crowds were
coming to hear Him teach.
Matt 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the
Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you
observe, that observe and do; but do not ye
after their works: for they say, and do not.
B. \\#2-3\\ Jesus taught the people to respect the Pharisees
because their sect had inherited at least part of the Old
Testament office of elder which God gave to Moses.
Numbers 11:11 And Moses said unto the LORD,
Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant?
and wherefore have I not found favour in thy
sight, that thou layest the burden of all
this people upon me?
Numbers 11:14 I am not able to bear all this
people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
Numbers 11:16 And the LORD said unto Moses,
Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of
Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of
the people, and officers over them; and bring
them unto the tabernacle of the congregation,
that they may stand there with thee.
17 And I will come down and talk with thee
there: and I will take of the spirit which is
upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they
shall bear the burden of the people with thee,
that thou bear it not thyself alone.
Numbers 11:24 And Moses went out, and told
the people the words of the LORD, and gathered
the seventy men of the elders of the people,
and set them round about the tabernacle.
25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and
spake unto him, and took of the spirit that
was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy
elders: and it came to pass, that, when the
spirit rested upon them, they prophesied,
and did not cease.
1. There is an important lesson here.
2. Even though we may not always be able to respect the
person who holds an office, we should always respect the
office.
3. God has given us government (i.e. leaders) for a reason.
As much as possible, we should obey them and regardless
of whether we can obey them or not, we must respect their
position.
C. \\#3-12\\ Jesus precedes to point out some of the flaws with
the Pharisees.
1. \\#Matt 23:13\\ Notice that Jesus calls these leaders
"hypocrites." The word "hypocrite" literally means an
actor or pretender. In this context, it has a far more
negative connotation and means deceiver.
2. We can see that by looking at what Jesus said about these
deceivers. In fact, what we get are practical examples
of what a hypocrite does.
3. \\#3-10\\ So let’s ask the question, "What is a
hypocrite?"
a. Someone who gives orders to people to do things
that they will not do.
Matt 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid
you observe, that observe and do; but do not
ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For 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.
(1) The hypocritical Pharisees gave religious
commands that the people were to do, but they
did not attempt to do them "with one of their
fingers."
(2) Since Jesus’ command to the people was do what
the Pharisees commanded, we know that the task
being commanded was righteous; that is, it was a
command of the Old Testament law. Yet Jesus
calls these commands "heavy burdens" which were
"grievous to be born."
(3) Jesus, God’s Son, was calling the Old Testament
commands great burdens which would grieve the
people trying to keep them—yet they were to be
kept.
(4) There is no getting around the fact that the Law
was a terrible burden which dragged down the
spirit of any man who tried to keep it for he
would always fail. Yet the fault was not in
the command, but in the people.
(5) Even here, Jesus does not excuse the people from
keeping these Old Testament commands. What He is
doing is rebuking the Pharisees for not even
trying to keep them.
b. Someone who does what they do for show.
Matt 23:5 But all their works they do for to
be seen of men: they make broad their
phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their
garments,
(1) Any righteous works that the Pharisees did do,
they did it in the presence of people so that
they would be praised for it.
(2) A phylactery was a small parchment with certain
Bible passages written on it, enclosed in a
case which was fastened by a leather strap
either to the forehead or about the left arm
over against the heart during prayer.
Phylacteries were (and are) to mind the Jew to
keep their duties to keep the commands of God
in their heart and head. \\#Ex 13:16, Deut 6:8\\
\\#Deut 11:18, 22:12\\
(3) The border of the garments had an extended fringe
of loose threads about it distinguish the Jews
from other nations. \\#Ex 15:38-40, Deut 22:12\\
(4) Apparently, the Pharisees not only kept this
command but made larger cases for the parchments
and broader hems for their fringes.
c. Someone who does what they do for recognition,
preeminence, and rewards.
Matt 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at
feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
d. Someone who likes to be called by a distinguished
title.
Matt 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men,
Rabbi, Rabbi.
(1) "Rabbi" means "master."
(2) One must think very highly of himself and his
abilities to call himself by such a title.
(3) Perhaps there was a rebuke in Jesus’ voice when
he spoke to Nicodemus.
John 3:10 …Art thou a master of Israel, and
knowest not these things?
(4) \\#8-10\\ Jesus picks out three popular religious
titles of that day and tells His followers not
to use any of them.
a. \\#8\\ Rabbi - For Jesus is our Master.
b. \\#9\\ father - For God is our Father.
c. \\#10\\ Another word translated master but
not the same as Rabbi. It means guide or
teacher. We are not to call each other that
for Christ is also our Teacher.
d. We might add some words from our culture that
the Lord might not be very happy about it.
i. Reverend - Only our Lord is to be
revered.
ii. Others?
e. \\#8\\ We typically call each other, at least
from the male perspective, "Brother." Why?
Because we are all brothers.
4. All of these titles and faults go on to point out one
major flaw of the Pharisees, their pride. So Jesus
reminds His followers once again to humble themselves.
Matt 23:11 But he that is greatest among you
shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be
abased; and he that shall humble himself shall
be exalted.
II. \\#Matt 23:13-33\\ Woes Against the Pharisees.
A. No where in Scripture or history is there likely to be so
vivid an account of the wickedness of these religious leaders
and the evil consequences their act produced upon themselves
and those they were supposed to help.
B. Eight "woes" are pronounced upon the Pharisees for their
wicked actions. A woe is a pronouncement of judgment or
misery. While it may mean little coming from a foe, when a
woe is pronounced upon you by God, it has eternal
consequences.
C. The Eight Woes
1. Blocking Heaven’s Door
Matt 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the
kingdom of heaven against men: for ye
neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye
them that are entering to go in.
a. The wicked action - You shut up… heaven. By their
hypocrisy, they have made heaven appear either
impossible to attain or else undesirable.
b. Judgment - Neither the Pharisees or those they were
called to help will be entering heaven.
2. Taking Advantage of Widows
Matt 23:14 Woe 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.
a. The wicked action - It would seem that the two charges
given are related. For money, the Pharisees would
offer longer prayers on the behalf of the widow, who
no doubt thought the Pharisees could gain favor with
God by their piety. (It sounds something like some
of today’s religious programming, doesn’t it?)
(1) This wrong could be perpetrated not only because
of the wickedness of the Pharisees but because
of the misguided devotion of the widows.
(2) Yet Jesus does not here condemn the ignorance of
the women but rather the wickedness of the of
the Pharisees.
b. Judgment - "greater damnation." This is another verse
which indicates degrees of punishment in hell.
3. Spreading Their Hypocritical Spirit
Matt 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to
make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye
make him twofold more the child of hell than
yourselves.
a. The wicked action - The Pharisees worked hard at
finding and making followers.
b. Those they converted were worse than their teachers.
4-5. Disdaining the Holy for the Trivial - Jesus pronounced
two woes for the Pharisees concerning this, both describe
their wicked actions but there is no judgment given.
a. They did not recognize the holy PLACES.
(1) The prized the golden gifts more than the holy
temple.
Matt 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides,
which say, Whosoever shall swear by the
temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall
swear by the gold of the temple, he is a
debtor!
17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is
greater, the gold, or the temple that
sanctifieth the gold?
(2) They prized the sacrifices more than the holy
altar.
18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar,
it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the
gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is
greater, the gift, or the altar that
sanctifieth the gift?
(3) They prized heaven but not the One who abode
within.
20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar,
sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21 And whoso shall swear by the temple,
sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth
therein.
22 And he that shall swear by heaven,
sweareth by the throne of God, and by him
that sitteth thereon.
(1) Jesus made the point that God’s altar,
temple, and heaven are all holy and that
they, in turn, sanctify the things on or
in them.
(2) To sware by God’s holy places is not wise.
b. They did not recognize the holy commandments.
Matt 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of
mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted
the weightier matters of the law, judgment,
mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have
done, and not to leave the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat,
and swallow a camel.
(1) Of course all commandments are holy; but the
Pharisees promoted the commandments that would
somehow increase the treasury; thus giving them
access to more wealth.
(2) Jesus’ point was not that those laws should have
been neglected for they surely should not, but
that those commands which dealt with justice,
mercy, and faith should have been taught and
encouraged as well.
6-7. Caring for the External But Not the Internal. Jesus
again pronounces two woes against the Pharisees for
this wicked act, and again, no direct judgment is
mentioned.
a. Caring for the Body But Not the Spirit.
Matt 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the
cup and of the platter, but within they are full
of extortion and excess.
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that
which is within the cup and platter, that the
outside of them may be clean also.
b. Caring for Appearances But Not the Heart.
Matt 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited
sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful
outward, but are within full of dead men’s
bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous
unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy
and iniquity.
c. Both of these woes are virtually identical, meaning
that the repetition was mostly like not for
additional knowledge but because the offense is
particularly grievous to God and practiced often
among hypocrites.
8. Thinking Themselves Wiser Than Their Ancestors in
Spiritual Matters
Matt 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited
sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful
outward, but are within full of dead men’s
bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous
unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy
and iniquity.
a. Jesus’ opening condemnation repeated the previous
wicked action; that is, they put up an outward
appearance of righteousness but inwardly, they were
full of corruption.
b. Then Jesus added another to their list of wicked
and hypocritical habits.
Matt 23:30 And 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.
(1) The present generation of Pharisees condemned
their fathers for killing the prophets of God,
thinking that they would have listened and
obeyed those prophets.
(2) How ironic it is to see them condemn their
fathers for killing the prophets of God when
they were scheming to kill the Son of God!
(3) Jesus noted that the Pharisees were confessing
to the fact that they were children of
murderers.
Matt 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto
yourselves, that ye are the children of them
which killed the prophets.
(4) And He told them that they were that kind of men
themselves.
Matt 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your
fathers.
c. Judgment - These wicked men would surely be damned
in hell.
Matt 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of
vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
III. \\#Matt 23:34-39\\ A curse against Israel. This curse was not
Israel’s for the sake of the Pharisees blindness and rebellion
alone. Indeed, they simply amplified the spiritual condition of
the people at large.
A. A Plan - God had a plan to evangelize the nation with the news
of His Son’s work, but He also knew how it would be received.
Matt 23:34 Wherefore, 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:
B. A Purpose
Matt 23:35 That 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.
1. The purpose was not solely that the Jews would be saved,
although that was always their choice.
2. But, God knowing their hearts, made sure they had
knowledge of the gospel that their condemnation might
be all the greater.
3. Added to all the prophets that had been killed, and to the
Son of God they were about to kill, would also be the
many evangelists that they would kill.
Luke 12:48 … For unto whomsoever much is
given, of him shall be much required: and to
whom men have committed much, of him they
will ask the more.
C. A Prophecy - Actually, there are three prophecies.
1. The earthly judgment for all Israel’s murders will be
required of those who will crucify God’s Son.
Matt 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these
things shall come upon this generation.
NOTE: Perhaps at the request of that generation, the
judgment has continued to all subsequent generations.
Matt 27:25 Then answered all the people, and
said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
2. The land would be desolate.
Matt 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto
you desolate.
3. The people will not see the Son of Man again until
virtually the whole nation accepts Him.
Matt 23:39 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.
D. A Plaint - Our Lord bellows a sad lamentation for the people
that He loves so dearly but who have rejected Him and doomed
themselves to heartache.
Matt 23:37 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!
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