Woe, Woe, Woe! – Matthew’s Gospel chapter 23
A warning against hypocrisy & False Religion
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practise what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Matthew 23 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Warning against false religion – Matthew 23:1-12
Here Jesus enters into conflict with the religious leaders of His day. Even hypocrites (see how they loved outward show and praise) can speak the truth, but they did not practice what they preached.
They loaded heavy burdens on others but refused to lift a finger to help. Not so Jesus, who said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Impact of dead religion – Matthew 23:13-39
Woe, woe, woe! Warning, Warning, Warning! Jesus declares 7 woes on these false teachers.
- They are cruel stumbling blocks Matthew 23:13
- They are persuasive frauds Matthew 23:15
- They are blind guides Matthew 23:16-22
- They major on minors Matthew 23:23-24
- They are like dirty dishes Matthew 23:25-26
- And like whitewashed graves Matthew 23:27-28
- They deceive themselves, saying “we wouldn’t have killed the prophets” at the same time that they plotting to kill the Son of God. Matthew 23:29-36
Jesus’ tearful cry to them. “How often would I have gathered you… but you would not.” Matthew 23:37
Why didn’t they listen! Are you listening? Am I?
