Matthew 23:3-12

Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you - w but not what they do. x For they preach, but do not practice. 4 y They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, 1 and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 t They do all their deeds z to be seen by others. For they make a their phylacteries broad and b their fringes long, 6 and they c love the place of honor at feasts and d the best seats in the synagogues 7 and d greetings in e the marketplaces and being called f rabbi 2 by others. 8 g But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are h all brothers. 3 9 i And call no man your father on earth, for j you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, k the Christ. 11 l The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 m Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 5:20
    For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
    Matthew 15:3 - 13
    He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
  2. Cross References
    Romans 2:17 - 23
    But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God
  3. Cross References
    Luke 11:46
    And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
    Matthew 11:28 - 30
    Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
    Acts 15:10
    Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 23:1
    Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 6:1
    Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
    Matthew 6:16
    And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
    John 5:44
    How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
  6. Cross References
    Exodus 13:9
    And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt.
    Deuteronomy 6:8
    You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
    Deuteronomy 11:18
    You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 9:20
    And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment.
  8. Cross References
    Luke 14:7 - 8
    Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 11:43
    Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 23:6
    And they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 11:16
    But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates.
    Matthew 20:3
    And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
  12. Cross References
    John 1:38
    Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?
  13. Cross References
    James 3:1
    Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
  14. Cross References
    Luke 22:32
    But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
    John 21:23
    So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?
    Philemon 1:16
    No longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother - especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
  15. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:12
    What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ.
    1 Corinthians 3:4
    For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human?
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 6:9
    Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
    Malachi 1:6
    "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, 'How have we despised your name?'
    Matthew 7:11
    If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
  17. Cross References
    Matthew 1:17
    So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
  18. Cross References
    Matthew 20:26
    It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.
  19. Cross References
    Luke 14:11
    For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled...
    Luke 18:14
    I tell you, this man went down to his house jus...
    Matthew 18:4
    Whoever humbles himself like this child is the ...
    Proverbs 29:23
    One's pride will bring him low, but he who is l...
    Ezekiel 21:26
    Thus says the Lord God : Remove the turban and ...
    James 4:6
    But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "Go...
    James 4:10
    Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will ...
    1 Peter 5:5 - 6
    Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to th...
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.