Matthew 23:3 - All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
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What does "Matthew 23:3" mean?
Matthew 23:3 is a key part of Jesus's condemnation of the Pharisees. Let's break it down:
"All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do..." This is the tricky part. Jesus is acknowledging that the Pharisees, as teachers of the law of Moses, hold a position of authority. He's saying that insofar as they are correctly interpreting and teaching the law of Moses (the scriptures), the people should listen to them and obey those teachings.
"...but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do." This is the crux of Jesus's criticism. He's accusing the Pharisees of hypocrisy. They preach a high standard of righteousness, but they themselves fail to live up to it. They lay heavy burdens on others but don't lift a finger to help.
In essence, Jesus is saying:
Respect their position as teachers of the law. Listen to what they say about the scriptures (the Old Testament).
Obey the teachings that are genuinely in line with God's law. If they are teaching the truth as it is written, follow it.
Do not imitate their behavior. Their actions are not consistent with their words. They are hypocrites. Don't follow their example.
Key Takeaways:
Hypocrisy: The primary focus is on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They preach a good message but don't practice what they preach.
Authority vs. Example: Jesus distinguishes between the authority of the office and the example of the person holding the office. While they have authority to teach the law, their personal behavior is not worthy of imitation.
Discernment: Jesus is encouraging his followers to be discerning. They should listen to the teachings, evaluate them based on the scriptures, and then obey the teachings that are true and right, while rejecting the hypocrisy of the teachers.
Important Considerations:
Context: This verse is part of a larger critique of the Pharisees in Matthew 23. Jesus is not endorsing everything they do or say.
Not Blind Obedience: It's important to understand that Jesus is not advocating for blind obedience. He is urging people to use their judgment and to follow the true teachings of God's law, regardless of the hypocrisy of those who teach it.
In short, Jesus is not saying to blindly follow everything the Pharisees command. He's saying to discern the truth in their teachings based on the scripture, but to avoid imitating their hypocrisy and lack of genuine righteousness. He is urging his followers to seek true righteousness, not just outward conformity.
Matthew 23:3 - All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
What does "Matthew 23:3" mean?
Matthew 23:3 is a key part of Jesus's condemnation of the Pharisees. Let's break it down:
"All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do..." This is the tricky part. Jesus is acknowledging that the Pharisees, as teachers of the law of Moses, hold a position of authority. He's saying that insofar as they are correctly interpreting and teaching the law of Moses (the scriptures), the people should listen to them and obey those teachings.
"...but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do." This is the crux of Jesus's criticism. He's accusing the Pharisees of hypocrisy. They preach a high standard of righteousness, but they themselves fail to live up to it. They lay heavy burdens on others but don't lift a finger to help.
In essence, Jesus is saying:
Respect their position as teachers of the law. Listen to what they say about the scriptures (the Old Testament).
Obey the teachings that are genuinely in line with God's law. If they are teaching the truth as it is written, follow it.
Do not imitate their behavior. Their actions are not consistent with their words. They are hypocrites. Don't follow their example.
Key Takeaways:
Hypocrisy: The primary focus is on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They preach a good message but don't practice what they preach.
Authority vs. Example: Jesus distinguishes between the authority of the office and the example of the person holding the office. While they have authority to teach the law, their personal behavior is not worthy of imitation.
Discernment: Jesus is encouraging his followers to be discerning. They should listen to the teachings, evaluate them based on the scriptures, and then obey the teachings that are true and right, while rejecting the hypocrisy of the teachers.
Important Considerations:
Context: This verse is part of a larger critique of the Pharisees in Matthew 23. Jesus is not endorsing everything they do or say.
Not Blind Obedience: It's important to understand that Jesus is not advocating for blind obedience. He is urging people to use their judgment and to follow the true teachings of God's law, regardless of the hypocrisy of those who teach it.
In short, Jesus is not saying to blindly follow everything the Pharisees command. He's saying to discern the truth in their teachings based on the scripture, but to avoid imitating their hypocrisy and lack of genuine righteousness. He is urging his followers to seek true righteousness, not just outward conformity.