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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_23:1-12
1Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they saythings and do not do them. 4They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. 5But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. 8But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, he who is in heaven. 10Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Mat_23:1 "Jesus spoke to the crowds" This was a public denunciation of the religious leaders. Although the following words do not describe every member of the Pharisees, they do characterize the prevalent attitude of the group.
Mat_23:2 "scribes" These were experts in the Written Law (OT) and the Oral Law (Talmud) of Israel and were available to make local practical applications. In effect they replaced the traditional OT functions of the local Levites. See Special Topic at Mat_12:38.
▣ "Pharisees" This was a group of committed Jews which developed during the Maccabean Period. They accepted all of the written Old Testament and Oral Tradition as binding. Not all scribes were Pharisees, but most were. For a full discussion of the origin and theology of the Pharisees see Special Topic at Mat_22:15.
▣ "the chair of Moses" This referred to a teaching position in the local synagogue or in the local Jewish community.
Mat_23:3 "all that they tell you, do and observe" Jesus uses two commands.
1. " do," aorist active imperative
2. " keep," present active imperative
Jesus was saying that if they could show you truth in the Law, then you should act on it. The Word of God is true no matter who proclaims it!
▣ "but do not do according to their deeds" Their lifestyles and attitudes revealed their character. In a sense they are the false teachers described in Mat_7:15-23. They have not acted on God's truth (cf. Mat_7:24-27), but human tradition (cf. Isa_6:9-10; Isa_29:13)!
Mat_23:4 "they tie up heavy burdens" This was a cultural metaphor which referred to the overloading or improper loading of domestic animals (cf. Mat_11:28-30). The religious leaders did not show any compassion for the common person (cf. Luk_11:46; Act_15:10). They themselves could not keep their own rules (cf. Rom_2:17-24).
There is a Greek manuscript variation in this verse. It is uncertain whether the phrase "difficult to carry" is original or assimilated from Luk_11:46.
Mat_23:5 "they do all their deeds to be noticed by men" They were religious exhibitionists (cf. Mat_6:2; Mat_6:5; Mat_6:16).
NASB "they broaden their phylacteries"
NKJV, NRSV "they make their phylacteries broad"
TEV "Look at the straps with scripture verses on them which they wear on their foreheads and arms, and notice how large they are"
JB"wearing broader phylacteries"
NJB "wearing broader headbands"
These black leather boxes contained the OT texts of Exo_13:3-16, Deu_6:4-9, or Deu_11:13-21. They were worn on the forehead just above the eyes. This was an over literalization of Exo_13:9 and Deu_6:8; Deu_11:18. These texts were to be the guiding light of believers lives, not black boxes on their foreheads!
NASB "lengthen the tassels of their garments"
NKJV "enlarge the borders of their garments"
NRSV "their fringes long"
TEV "how long are the tassels on their cloaks!"
NJB "longer tassels"
These were blue ornaments on their robes or prayer shawls which reminded them of the Torah (cf. Num_15:38 and Deu_22:12).
Mat_23:6 This was the same temptation related to James and John in Mat_20:20-28.
Mat_23:7 "Rabbi" This Aramaic term was an honorific title (" my teacher"). These titles (rabbi, father, leader) are criticized because of the pride and arrogance connected with them in first century Judaism. The leaders loved to be called by these honorific titles.
The NKJV following the Textus Receptus doubles the word "Rabbi." This was a cultural way of (1) adding solemnity or (2) showing affection (cf. Mat_23:37). However the early Greek texts ( à and B as well as the Vulgate) have it only once.
Mat_23:8-10 Note the repeated use of "One." Jesus (and Matthew) did not see a contradiction of monotheism. See the second paragraph at Mat_22:37-38.
1. One is your Teacher (could be the Father or the Son, matt Mat_22:36)
2. One is your Father (twice)
3. One is your Leader, that is Christ
Mat_23:8 "you are all brothers" Believers are equal in God's sight (i.e., Gen_1:26-27), therefore, we must be careful of ranks or titles! There is no "clergy" vs. "laity" distinction in the NT. There are also no other distinctions, note Rom_3:22; 1Co_12:12-13; Gal_3:28; Col_3:11.
Mat_23:11 "the greatest among you shall be your servant" This is discussed in Mat_20:25-28 and Mar_10:42-44. What a shocking statement! This is markedly different from the world's attitudes. However, this is the sign of true greatness in the new age.
Mat_23:12 "whoever exalts himself shall be humbled" This is a recurrent biblical theme (cf. Job_22:29; Pro_29:23; Luk_14:11; Luk_18:14; Jas_4:6; 1Pe_5:5).