Teaching and example
Matthew 23:1–12FocusHumility instead of display
Connection to the wholeJesus distinguishes what hearers should heed from the leaders' conduct, warning His disciples against pride and religious display.
interpretation Matthew 23:32
KJVFill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Read it in context
Woes against hypocrisy
Start reading at Matthew 23:13 (Matthew 23:13 to Matthew 23:36).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The woes expose outward religion joined to injustice and resistance to God's messengers, preparing the lament and coming judgment.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
- 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
- 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
- 23:20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
- 23:21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
- 23:22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
- 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.
- 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
- 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.
- 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
- 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.
- 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
- 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
- 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.
- 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
- 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
- 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
- 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:
- 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.
- 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Matthew the apostle and tax collector is the author named by early church tradition. This is the historic attribution, not a personal signature in the Gospel. Biblical references: Matthew 9:9; Matthew 10:3. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Matthew 23:1–23:39): Jesus speaks to the crowds and His disciples, pronouncing woes against the scribes and Pharisees and lamenting Jerusalem. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? A Christian readership deeply familiar with Israel's Scriptures, commonly understood as substantially Jewish in background but also concerned with the Gentile mission. A particular congregation or city is not certain. Biblical references: Matthew 1:1; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 28:19. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Woes against hypocrisy. Read Matthew 23:13 through Matthew 23:36 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The woes expose outward religion joined to injustice and resistance to God's messengers, preparing the lament and coming judgment. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The narrative moves from Jesus' ancestry and birth through His ministry, death, resurrection, and commission. The Gospel does not state a modern calendar date for its composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative includes Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth, Galilee, journeys, and Jerusalem. A discourse or parable can describe places other than where Jesus is speaking. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Woes against hypocrisy (Matthew 23:13 to Matthew 23:36). Start reading at Matthew 23:13. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus is the central figure. Matthew identifies Him as Emmanuel, explains His saving mission, and concludes with His authority and commission. Read each teaching with its original listeners and its place in the narrative. See Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Join hearing Jesus' words with doing them. Distinguish instructions to named disciples on a particular mission from a general application, and keep conditions and warnings alongside promises. interpretation
Cited: Matthew 23:13, Matthew 23:36, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19
Who wrote it, and how we know
Matthew (Levi), the apostle
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionEarly church testimony names Matthew the apostle, notably Papias in the early second century and Irenaeus later.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text. The titles were attached early but are not part of the original writing.
Related passages
- the measure Gen 15:16 Num 32:14 Zech 5:6-11
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Matthew 23
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings.
Matthew 1:1 Matthew 28:18 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20
FocusJudgment on false leadership
Connection to the wholeThe woes expose outward religion joined to injustice and resistance to God's messengers, preparing the lament and coming judgment.
interpretation Lament over Jerusalem
Matthew 23:37–39FocusRefused gathering
Connection to the wholeJesus' lament expresses the tragedy of rejection and leads into the temple discourse beginning in chapter 24.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Matthew
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings.
Matthew 1:1 Matthew 28:18 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20
The promised Messiah introduced
Matthew 1:1–4:16FocusOrigins and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe genealogy, birth, baptism, and temptation establish Jesus' identity and mission before His public preaching expands.
interpretation The kingdom proclaimed
Matthew 4:17–7:29FocusMinistry and the mountain discourse
Connection to the wholeJesus announces the kingdom, calls disciples, and teaches the righteousness and obedience that characterize His hearers' response.
interpretation Authority and mission
Matthew 8:1–10:42FocusWorks of mercy and sent disciples
Connection to the wholeHealings and other mighty works display Jesus' authority; He then commissions disciples and prepares them for opposition.
interpretation Responses to the kingdom
Matthew 11:1–13:58FocusOpposition, revelation, and parables
Connection to the wholeContrasting responses to Jesus lead into parables that explain hearing, growth, judgment, and the kingdom's value.
interpretation Following the Messiah
Matthew 14:1–18:35FocusIdentity, suffering, and community
Connection to the wholeJesus teaches disciples about His coming suffering and about humility, care for others, correction, and forgiveness.
interpretation FocusConflict, judgment, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe journey to Jerusalem and temple disputes lead into warnings about judgment and the need for faithful readiness.
interpretation Death, resurrection, and commission
Matthew 26:1–28:20FocusThe crucified and risen Lord
Connection to the wholeJesus' passion and resurrection bring the narrative to the commission to teach all nations and obey His commands.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.