In Matthew 23:13-36, Jesus launches into a scathing denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, delivering seven woes against them for their hypocrisy and false practices. This harsh rebuke from Jesus has puzzled many readers over the years. Why did Jesus speak so strongly against the religious leaders of His day? A closer examination of the text provides some answers.
The Identity of the Scribes and Pharisees
The scribes were experts in the Law of Moses and would transcribe copies, teach it to others, and offer authoritative interpretations (Matthew 23:2). The Pharisees were a religious party known for strictly observing the Law and oral traditions. They sought ritual purity and separation from anything unclean. Though having good intentions to honor God, over time the Pharisees had developed a complex set of oral laws and traditions that went far beyond Scripture (Matthew 15:1-9). By Jesus’ day, their rigorous man-made rules had become a burden on the people (Matthew 23:4).
The scribes and Pharisees were the religious elites holding places of influence as teachers, interpreters of the Law, and exemplars of Jewish piety. They considered themselves to be experts on the Scriptures and enjoyed great respect and honor from the people (Matthew 23:6-7). However, Jesus asserted they did not practice what they preached (Matthew 23:3). They imposed heavy burdens on others that they themselves would not carry (Matthew 23:4).
The Legitimate Authority of the Scribes and Pharisees
Jesus begins His critique by affirming the legitimate position of religious authority held by the scribes and Pharisees. They sit on Moses’ seat as authoritative interpreters and teachers of the Law (Matthew 23:2). Jesus’ Jewish audience would have understood this as an acknowledgement that these leaders held an office of religious importance.
However, Jesus immediately undercuts their authority by accusing them of not practicing what they teach (Matthew 23:3). Their hypocrisy invalidated any legitimate claim to act as spiritual leaders of God’s people. They lacked integrity between their words and actions.
Examples of Hypocrisy and False Religion
Jesus highlights numerous examples of how the scribes and Pharisees demonstrated hypocritical practices and false religion:
- They taught heavy burdens but did not lift a finger to help (Matthew 23:4).
- Their works were done to be noticed by others (Matthew 23:5).
- They loved places of honor and respectful greetings (Matthew 23:6-7).
- They claimed exalted titles for themselves (Matthew 23:8-10).
- They exploited widows and deprived the needy (Matthew 23:14).
- They pursued converts for personal gain (Matthew 23:15).
- They employed deceptive oaths and technical loopholes (Matthew 23:16-22).
- They neglected justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23-24).
- They maintained outward piety but inwardly were greedy and self-indulgent (Matthew 23:25-26).
- They appeared righteous but were spiritually dead (Matthew 23:27-28).
In each example, Jesus exposed their hypocrisy – pretending to be righteous teachers while inwardly lacking true obedience and love for God. Their teaching burdens others but requires nothing of themselves. They desire recognition and status. They pray impressive prayers but devour widow’s houses (Matthew 23:14). They make oaths swearing by the temple or altar but then justify breaking them on technicalities. They tithe spices but neglect justice and mercy. They keep up impressive outward appearances but inwardly remain morally decayed.
Results of the False Religion of the Scribes and Pharisees
Because of their position, the scribes and Pharisees exhibited a false form of religion that misled many others. Jesus indicted them for several far-reaching consequences of their hypocrisy:
- They failed to enter the kingdom and hindered others (Matthew 23:13).
- They won converts who became twice as much sons of hell (Matthew 23:15).
- They taught it was acceptable to swear oaths by the temple, altar, or heaven (Matthew 23:16-22).
- They neglected justice, mercy, faithfulness and the weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23-24).
- They cleansed the outside of dishes while leaving the inside full of greed and self-indulgence (Matthew 23:25-26).
Because of the position of the scribes and Pharisees, their hypocrisy had dramatic effects misleading many in Israel away from true righteousness. Their converts learned false religion. They promoted superficial outward religion while neglecting inward transformation. By Jesus’ estimation, the teachers of Israel had profoundly failed in their assigned task as shepherds of God’s people. Their hypocrisy brought judgment upon themselves and hindered many others from entering the kingdom.
Jesus’ Righteous Anger and Sorrow
As the promised Messiah and Son of God, Jesus uncompromisingly denounced the false religion and moral compromise exhibited by those claiming spiritual authority in Israel. His harsh language (“woes” declare impending judgment) reminds readers of OT prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah who similarly rebuked the failures of religious leaders.
However, Jesus’ anger came from a profound sense of sorrow and grief for those He denounced. Soon after this pronouncement of woes, Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem that has killed the prophets and will also reject Him (Matthew 23:37-39). Jesus longed to gather Israel under His protective care as a hen gathers her chicks, but they refused (Matthew 23:37). Both His anger toward the hypocrites and sorrow for their wayward condition reflect Jesus’ deep investment in the spiritual wellbeing of His people. His harsh words aimed to shock them into awareness and repentance if possible.
A Warning to All Religious Leaders
While directed specifically toward the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus’ warnings serve as a sobering admonition to any who would take up spiritual leadership over God’s people. The temptations toward hypocrisy, greed, desire for status, and compromise faced by the scribes and Pharisees are not unique to first-century Judaism. Religious leaders in any generation can easily fall into similar patterns – professing godliness while failing to live it out, exploiting others for personal gain, desiring recognition and praise from people, and justifying moral compromise out of expediency.
Jesus’ stern rebuke challenges spiritual leaders to search their own hearts. It is an urgent call for personal integrity before assuming responsibility to teach others about God. The woes pronounced on the scribes and Pharisees serve as a warning for leaders in every generation concerning the eternal consequences of living hypocritically and misleading others. Our outward profession and teaching about God must match an inner reality of authentic faith and obedience.
Jesus as the True Shepherd
After excoriating Israel’s failed spiritual leaders, Jesus presents Himself as the one true Shepherd who will faithfully care for God’s people (John 10:1-18). The scribes and Pharisees proved to be blind guides who neglected and misled their sheep. In contrast, Jesus is the good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep and leads them to abundant pasture. He comes to fulfill the messianic promise of a coming Davidic Shepherd over God’s people (Ezekiel 34:23).
Jesus’ harsh judgment reflects His desire to alert God’s people to false leaders and turn them to the care of the one faithful Shepherd. Removing pretenders from their illegitimate spiritual authority over Israel enabled Jesus to assume His rightful messianic role. The woes of Matthew 23 set the stage for Jesus alone to shepherd God’s people going forward.
Conclusion
In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a scorching critique of Israel’s religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees. He excoriates them for hypocritical practices and false religion that mislead others. Jesus pronounced seven woes upon them for failing as spiritual shepherds of God’s people. However, this harsh judgment came both from Jesus’ anger over their deception and His sorrow for all those negatively affected. His alarming condemnation served to warn all religious leaders concerning pretense, compromise, and abuse of authority. Ultimately, it served to present Jesus as the Messiah who alone could faithfully shepherd God’s people into righteousness, justice, and mercy.
