Matthew 23:15 - Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Matthew 23:15" mean?
This verse, Matthew 23:15, is part of a series of "woes" Jesus pronounces against the scribes and Pharisees, highlighting their hypocrisy and religious failings. Let's break down the verse to understand its meaning:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"
Woe: This is a lament or a judgment, a prediction of severe consequence.
Scribes and Pharisees: These were influential religious leaders in Jewish society. The scribes were experts in the law, and the Pharisees were a religious sect known for their strict adherence to the law and tradition.
Hypocrites: This is a central theme in Jesus' criticism of them. He accuses them of saying one thing and doing another, of having an outward show of piety that doesn't match their inner character.
"For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte;"
Travel around by sea and land: This indicates their great effort and zeal in seeking converts (proselytes) to their brand of Judaism. They were actively evangelizing and trying to win followers.
Make one proselyte: A proselyte is a Gentile (non-Jew) who converts to Judaism. It highlights the singular focus, they went to great lengths for one new convert.
"and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves."
When he becomes one: Once they successfully convert someone.
Twice as much a son of Gehenna: This is the crux of Jesus' accusation. "Gehenna" was the valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, used as a garbage dump where fires burned constantly. It was a symbol of hell, eternal punishment, and divine judgment.
Jesus is saying that the converts they make end up being worse than the scribes and Pharisees themselves in the eyes of God. They become "twice as much a son of Gehenna."
"Twice as much" is not necessarily a literal measurement, but an exaggeration to emphasize the extreme negative impact of their influence.
In summary, Jesus is accusing the scribes and Pharisees of the following:
1. Hypocritical Zeal: They are very zealous in seeking converts, but their motives are not pure.
2. Negative Influence: Instead of leading people to true righteousness and a genuine relationship with God, they lead them into a more rigid, legalistic, and ultimately corrupt form of religion that is more deserving of divine judgment than their own.
Possible Interpretations and Underlying Issues:
Emphasis on outward observance: The Pharisees may have emphasized external rituals and adherence to rules without cultivating genuine faith, compassion, or inner transformation. The converts then learn this superficial approach.
Pride and arrogance: The Pharisees may have instilled in their converts a sense of religious superiority and intolerance towards others, making them even more judgmental and self-righteous than they were themselves.
Misguided teachings: The Pharisees' teachings may have been flawed, legalistic, and lacking in true understanding of God's grace and mercy. This would lead the converts down a path of error and spiritual darkness.
Self-serving motives: Jesus suggests that their motivation in seeking converts might be for personal gain or to increase their own power and influence rather than out of a genuine desire to lead people to God.
In conclusion, Matthew 23:15 is a scathing indictment of the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and their corrupting influence on those they convert. It warns against religious leaders who focus on outward appearance and legalistic adherence to rules, while neglecting the true heart of faith and leading others astray.
Matthew 23:15 - Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves.
What does "Matthew 23:15" mean?
This verse, Matthew 23:15, is part of a series of "woes" Jesus pronounces against the scribes and Pharisees, highlighting their hypocrisy and religious failings. Let's break down the verse to understand its meaning:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"
Woe: This is a lament or a judgment, a prediction of severe consequence.
Scribes and Pharisees: These were influential religious leaders in Jewish society. The scribes were experts in the law, and the Pharisees were a religious sect known for their strict adherence to the law and tradition.
Hypocrites: This is a central theme in Jesus' criticism of them. He accuses them of saying one thing and doing another, of having an outward show of piety that doesn't match their inner character.
"For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte;"
Travel around by sea and land: This indicates their great effort and zeal in seeking converts (proselytes) to their brand of Judaism. They were actively evangelizing and trying to win followers.
Make one proselyte: A proselyte is a Gentile (non-Jew) who converts to Judaism. It highlights the singular focus, they went to great lengths for one new convert.
"and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves."
When he becomes one: Once they successfully convert someone.
Twice as much a son of Gehenna: This is the crux of Jesus' accusation. "Gehenna" was the valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, used as a garbage dump where fires burned constantly. It was a symbol of hell, eternal punishment, and divine judgment.
Jesus is saying that the converts they make end up being worse than the scribes and Pharisees themselves in the eyes of God. They become "twice as much a son of Gehenna."
"Twice as much" is not necessarily a literal measurement, but an exaggeration to emphasize the extreme negative impact of their influence.
In summary, Jesus is accusing the scribes and Pharisees of the following:
1. Hypocritical Zeal: They are very zealous in seeking converts, but their motives are not pure.
2. Negative Influence: Instead of leading people to true righteousness and a genuine relationship with God, they lead them into a more rigid, legalistic, and ultimately corrupt form of religion that is more deserving of divine judgment than their own.
Possible Interpretations and Underlying Issues:
Emphasis on outward observance: The Pharisees may have emphasized external rituals and adherence to rules without cultivating genuine faith, compassion, or inner transformation. The converts then learn this superficial approach.
Pride and arrogance: The Pharisees may have instilled in their converts a sense of religious superiority and intolerance towards others, making them even more judgmental and self-righteous than they were themselves.
Misguided teachings: The Pharisees' teachings may have been flawed, legalistic, and lacking in true understanding of God's grace and mercy. This would lead the converts down a path of error and spiritual darkness.
Self-serving motives: Jesus suggests that their motivation in seeking converts might be for personal gain or to increase their own power and influence rather than out of a genuine desire to lead people to God.
In conclusion, Matthew 23:15 is a scathing indictment of the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and their corrupting influence on those they convert. It warns against religious leaders who focus on outward appearance and legalistic adherence to rules, while neglecting the true heart of faith and leading others astray.