Jesus paradoxically validates the Pharisees' teaching authority while simultaneously dismantling their moral credibility, creating a rare tension between institutional respect and personal condemnation.
Matthew 23
Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees
1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,
2saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat.
3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
4For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them.
5But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments,
6and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
8But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
9Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.
10Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.
11But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
The Seven Woes
13“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
14“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don’t enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.
15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves.
16“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’
17You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
18And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated.’
19You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
20He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it.
21He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who has been living in it.
22He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it.
23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
24You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!
25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness.
26You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.
27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness.
28Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
29“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous,
30and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
31Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets.
32Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.
33You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna?
34Therefore, behold, I send to 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,
35that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar.
36Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Lament over Jerusalem
37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!
38Behold, your house is left to you desolate.
39For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
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Theme
Jesus delivers his most severe public condemnation of the religious leaders, pronouncing seven woes against the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, legalism, and spiritual blindness. He contrasts their outward religious displays with their inner corruption, criticizing how they burden others while seeking honor for themselves and missing the heart of God's law. The chapter concludes with Jesus' heartbroken lament over Jerusalem's rejection of God's messengers throughout history.
Context
This chapter represents the climax of Jesus' public ministry conflicts with religious authorities before moving toward his passion narrative in the following chapters.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-12 Warning Against Religious Hypocrisy Jesus instructs the crowds to follow the Pharisees' teaching but not their example, emphasizing servant leadership over seeking honor and titles.
- 13-15 First Three Woes: Exploitation and Exclusion Jesus condemns the religious leaders for devouring widows' houses, blocking access to God's kingdom, and creating converts worse than themselves.
- 16-22 Fourth Woe: Blind Guides and Oath-Making Jesus exposes their foolish distinctions about oaths, showing how they miss the sacred nature of all things connected to God.
- 23-28 Fifth and Sixth Woes: Misplaced Priorities Jesus criticizes their meticulous attention to minor laws while neglecting justice, mercy, and faith, and their focus on external cleanliness while harboring inner corruption.
- 29-36 Seventh Woe: Honoring Dead Prophets While Rejecting Living Ones Jesus accuses them of building monuments to past prophets while continuing their ancestors' pattern of rejecting God's messengers.
- 37-39 Lament Over Jerusalem Jesus expresses deep sorrow over Jerusalem's persistent rejection of God's protection and prophesies their desolation until they welcome him.
Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees
23:1–23:12 gospel instruction solemn
Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of religious leaders who seek honor and recognition, teaching that true greatness comes through humble service rather than self-exaltation.
person_contrast
Jesus paradoxically validates the Pharisees' teaching authority while simultaneously dismantling their moral credibility, creating a rare tension between institutional respect and personal condemnation.
The Seven Woes
23:13–23:36 gospel rebuke wrathful
Jesus pronounces woes against the scribes and Pharisees, condemning their hypocrisy in focusing on external religious observances while neglecting justice, mercy, and inner righteousness.
person_contrast
Jesus employs the prophetic "woe" formula seven times—matching the seven-fold judgment pattern found in Revelation—while condemning religious leaders who prioritize ritual purity over justice and mercy.
Lament over Jerusalem
23:37–23:39 gospel lament mournful
Jesus laments over Jerusalem's rejection of God's messengers and prophets, expressing deep sorrow while prophesying the city's coming desolation and his eventual return.
person_contrast
Jesus employs the maternal imagery of a hen gathering chicks—the only time in the Gospels he uses explicitly feminine metaphors to describe his own protective nature.
Insights
Jesus employs the prophetic "woe" formula seven times—matching the seven-fold judgment pattern found in Revelation—while condemning religious leaders who prioritize ritual purity over justice and mercy.
Jesus employs the maternal imagery of a hen gathering chicks—the only time in the Gospels he uses explicitly feminine metaphors to describe his own protective nature.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Matthew 23:1 1 reference
Matthew 23:4 2 references
Matthew 23:6 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 20:46 Lexical
“Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the s…
Mark 12:39 Lexical
and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,
Luke 11:43 Lexical
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Matthew 23:7 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 20:46 Lexical
“Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the s…
Luke 11:43 Lexical
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Mark 12:38 Lexical
In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the mar…
Matthew 23:12 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 18:14 Lexical
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be hum…
Luke 14:11 Lexical
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
James 4:10 Lexical
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
1 Peter 5:6 Lexical
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
2 Corinthians 11:7 Lexical
Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of ch…
Matthew 23:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 5:20 Lexical
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter…
Matthew 19:14 Lexical
But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to on…
Matthew 7:21 Lexical
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father…
Matthew 19:23 Lexical
Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficu…
Matthew 18:3 Lexical
and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the K…
Matthew 23:15 1 reference
Matthew 23:16 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 17:29 Lexical
Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engrave…
Matthew 15:14 Lexical
Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Romans 2:19 Lexical
and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
Matthew 23:22 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 5:34 Lexical
but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
Matthew 28:2 Lexical
Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone…
Revelation 20:11 Lexical
I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the sky fled away. There was found no pl…
Revelation 4:2 Lexical
Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne
Matthew 23:23 2 references
Matthew 23:24 2 references
Matthew 23:25 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 11:39 Lexical
The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full…
Luke 11:40 Lexical
You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also?
2 Corinthians 7:5 Lexical
For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were o…
Revelation 17:4 Lexical
The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a g…
Matthew 23:26 1 reference
Matthew 23:27 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 11:39 Lexical
The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full…
Luke 11:40 Lexical
You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also?
2 Corinthians 7:5 Lexical
For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were o…
Matthew 23:28 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 11:39 Lexical
The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full…
Luke 11:40 Lexical
You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also?
2 Corinthians 7:5 Lexical
For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were o…
Matthew 23:29 1 reference
Matthew 23:33 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 3:7 Lexical
He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee…
Matthew 3:7 Lexical
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, w…
Matthew 12:34 Lexical
You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth sp…
Matthew 23:34 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 26:11 Lexical
Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I pe…
Acts 7:52 Lexical
Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of…
Luke 13:34 Lexical
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather you…
Luke 11:49 Lexical
Therefore also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and p…
Matthew 23:35 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 11:51 Lexical
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.’ Yes, I tell you, it…
Matthew 27:51 Lexical
Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
Matthew 5:45 Lexical
that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sen…
Revelation 19:2 Lexical
for his judgments are true and righteous. For he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual…
Revelation 6:10 Lexical
They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on thos…
Matthew 23:37 1 reference
Matthew 23:38 1 reference
Matthew 23:39 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 13:35 Lexical
Behold, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in t…
John 16:24 Lexical
Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
Matthew 16:28 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man…
Mark 9:1 Lexical
He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see…
Luke 9:27 Lexical
But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here who will in no way taste of death until they see God’s…
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