Denunciation : a public statement that strongly criticizes someone or something as being bad or wrong : Merriam Webster’s Dictionary
Mat 23:1 Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples.
Mat 23:2 "The Scribes," He said, "and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses.
Mat 23:3 Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves.
Mat 23:4 Heavy and cumbrous burdens they bind together and load men's shoulders with them, while as for themselves, not with one finger do they choose to lift them.
Mat 23:5 And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large,
Mat 23:6 and love the best seats at a dinner party or in the synagogues,
Mat 23:7 and like to be bowed to in places of public resort, and to be addressed by men as 'Rabbi.'
Mat 23:8 "As for you, do not accept the title of 'Rabbi,' for one alone is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
Mat 23:9 And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your Father--the Heavenly Father.
Mat 23:10 And do not accept the name of 'leader,' for your Leader is one alone--the Christ.
Mat 23:11 He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant;
Mat 23:12 and one who exalts himself shall be abased, while one who abases himself shall be exalted.
Introduction
In the foregoing chapter, we had our Saviour's discussions with the Scribes and Pharisees; here we have his discourse concerning them, or rather against them. M.Henry
discourse www.merriam-webster.com
the use of words to exchange thoughts and ideas. : a long talk or piece of writing about a subject
Mat 23:1 Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples.
Mat 23:2 "The Scribes," He said, "and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses.
Notes
Definition of SCRIBE 1 : a member of a learned class in ancient Israel through New Testament times studying the Scriptures and serving as copyists, editors, teachers, and jurists. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary
Now Christ directs his discourse here to the multitude, and to his disciples (Mat_23:1) to rectify their mistakes concerning these scribes and Pharisees, by painting them out in their true colours, and so to take off the prejudice which some of the multitude had conceived against Christ and his doctrine, because it was opposed by those men of their church, that called themselves the people's guides. Note, It is good to know the true characters of men, that we may not be imposed upon by great and mighty names, titles, and pretensions to power.
Mat 23:3 Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves.
Notes
They do not practice what they preach and proclaim.
All, therefore, whatsoever ... - That is, all that they teach that is consistent with the Law of Moses - all the commands of Moses which they read to you and properly explain. The word “all” could not be taken without such a restriction, for Christ himself accuses them of teaching many things contrary to that law, and of making it void by their traditions, Mat_15:1-6.
They say, and do not - The interpretation which they give to the law is in the main correct, but their lives do not correspond with their teaching. It is not the duty of people to imitate their teachers unless their lives are pure; they are to obey the law of God, and not to frame their lives by the example of evil people.
Mat 23:4 Heavy and cumbrous burdens they bind together and load men's shoulders with them, while as for themselves, not with one finger do they choose to lift them.
Mat 23:4 They make loads that are hard to carry and lay them on the shoulders of the people. However, they are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Notes
They bind heavy burdens ... - This phrase is derived from the custom of loading animals. The load or burden is bound up and then laid on the beast. So the Pharisees appointed weighty burdens, or grievous and heavy precepts, and insisted that the people should obey them, though they lent no assistance. The “heavy burdens” refer not here to the traditions and foolish customs of the Pharisees, for Jesus would not command the people to observe them; but they clearly mean the ceremonies and rights appointed by Moses, which Peter says neither “they nor their fathers were able to bear,” Act_15:10. Those rites were numerous, expensive, requiring much time, much property, and laborious.
The Pharisees were rigid in requiring that all the people should pay the taxes, give of their property, comply with every part of the law with the utmost rigor, yet they indulged themselves, and bore as little of the expense and trouble as possible; so that, where they could avoid it, they would not lend the least aid to the people in the toils and expense of their religious rites.
With one of their fingers - In the least degree. They will not render the least aid. Barnes Notes
Many legalistic Muslims are the same. They place their rituals and restrictions legalistically on people which are a heavy burden. It is mainly mindless outward show. One Muslim said to me, “please excuse me, I have to do my gymnastics.” meaning his ritualistic prayer.
Many Muslim nations which are oil rich and wealthy are not lifting a finger to help the Syrian and Iraqi Refugees who are fleeing the Bloodbath in the Middle East.
Mat 23:5 And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large,
Notes
And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men;
Men and women who observe a “works” religion want to make a good show so that their relatives and their leaders can see that they are observant. They wear their clothes just so and they ritualistically follow all the prescripts and details of their religion which often times is just nonsense. See the Muslim ablutions before prayers and the place of the hands during prayer. to realise what a ridiculous burden this is.
Mat 23:6 and love the best seats at a dinner party or in the synagogues,
Note
They are looking for Prominence.
It would be correctly rendered the uppermost “places or couches” at feasts. To understand this, it is necessary to remark that the custom among the Jews was not to eat sitting, as we do, but reclining on couches. The table was made by “three” tables, raised like ours and placed so as to form a square, with a clear space in the midst, and one end quite open. Around these tables were placed cushions capable of containing three or more persons. On these the guests reclined, leaning on their left side, with their feet extended from the table, and so lying that the head of one naturally reclined on the bosom of another. To recline near to one in this manner denoted intimacy, and was what was meant by lying “in the bosom” of another, Joh_13:23; Luk_16:22-23. As the feet were extended “from” the table, and as they reclined instead of sitting, it was easy to approach the feet behind, and even unperceived. Thus, in Luk_7:37-38, while Jesus reclined in this manner, a woman that had been a sinner came to his feet “behind him,” and washed them with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. She stood on the outside of the couches. So our Saviour washed the feet of his disciples as they reclined on a couch in this manner, Joh_13:4-12. Whenever we read in the New Testament of “sitting” at meals, it always means reclining in this manner, and never sitting as we do. The chief seat, or the “uppermost” one, was the middle couch at the upper end of the table. This the Pharisees loved, as a post of honor or distinction.
Chief seats in the synagogues - The seats usually occupied by the elders of the synagogue, near the pulpit. The meaning is, they love a place of distinction.
Mat 23:7 and like to be bowed to in public places, and to be addressed by men as 'Rabbi.' WNT
Mat 23:7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have people call them 'Teacher.' GNB
Notes
Greetings in the markets - Markets were places where multitudes of people were assembled together. They were pleased with special attention in public places, and desired that all should show them particular respect.
Greetings - Salutations. See the notes at Luk_10:4.
To be called Rabbi, Rabbi - This word literally signifies great. It was a title given to eminent teachers of the law among the Jews; a title of honor and dignity, denoting authority and ability to teach. They were gratified with such titles, and wished it given to themselves as denoting superiority.
In many churches today men like titles of ‘pastor or Elder’. In Africa many like the title of “The Most Reverend Pastor Responsible”. This is just ostentatious shame and seeking of flattery.
Mat 23:8 "As for you, do not accept the title of 'Rabbi,' for one alone is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
Note
do not accept the title of 'Rabbi,' for one alone is your Teacher,
Jesus forbade his disciples to seek such titles of distinction. The reason which he gave was that he was himself their Master and Teacher, They were on a level; they were to be equal in authority; they were brethren; and they should neither covet nor receive a title which implied either an elevation of one above another, or which appeared to infringe on the absolute right of the Saviour to be their only Teacher and Master.
Mat 23:9 And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your Father--the Heavenly Father.
Notes
call no one on earth your Father, ….
This does not, of course, forbid us to apply the term to our real father. Religion requires all proper honor to be shown to Him, Exo_20:12; Mat_15:4; Eph_6:1-3. But the word “father” also denotes “authority, eminence, superiority, a right to command, and a claim to particular respect.” In this sense it is used here. In this sense it belongs eminently to God, and it is not right to give it to people. Christian brethren are equal. Only God has supreme authority. He only has a right to give laws; to declare doctrines that shall bind the conscience; to punish disobedience. The Jewish teachers affected that title because they seem to have supposed that a teacher formed the man, or gave him real life, and sought, therefore, to be called father. Christ taught them that the source of all life and truth was God, and they ought not to seek or receive a title which properly belongs to him.Barnes
Mat 23:10 And do not accept the name of 'leader,' for your Leader is one alone--the Christ.
Mat 23:10 Don't make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah.
Notes
Leader G2519 Strong’s καθηγητής kathēgētēs kath-ayg-ay-tace'
From a compound of G2596 and G2233; a guide, that is, (figuratively) a teacher: - master.
Mat 23:11 He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant;
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| These are the pictures showing chattel slavery and the documents. |
Notes
He that is greatest. Instead of seeking chief seats at feasts or in the synagogues, and titles that will exalt him above others, let him seek to become the servant of all. Compare Mat_20:26.PNT
Mat 23:12 and one who exalts himself shall be abased, while one who abases himself shall be exalted.
Notes
Mat 23:12 If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored. CEV
Whosoever shall exalt himself, etc. A universal rule in the kingdom of God. Humility is an essential element of progress in it. PNT
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