Matthew 23:3

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JohnL_Duncan

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Hi Everyone!

I have a question about what Jesus means in Mathew 23:3 when he says:

“Therefore , do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.”

This is in reference to the Scribes and Pharisees.

My problem is that in many other places, Jesus is blasting the Scribes and the Pharisees for their mininterperation of Scripture and also this makes me think that we should still be following the Jewish law.

Where am I going wrong with this?
 
Excellent question.

Matthew 22:2 reads, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat;”

This verse establishes their authority which Jesus, at this time, is telling the people not to challenge. It would not have been sinful, during those days, to follow what the Pharisees were teaching. Rebellion against the law would have been sin. Even Jesus adhered to the law of Moses.

If you keep reading Matthew 22 what you said holds very true as Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees’ application of the law of Moses.

Matthew 27:50-51 “Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.”

At this moment the authority of the scribes, Pharisees, and all others of the Old Testament priestly class is officially ended.

Mt 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me…”

Jesus, our Savior, has fulfilled his mission and achieved his victory for us.

Jn 20:23 “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Jesus bestows his authority upon his Church.

The New Testament officially begins.
 
John,

I believe that the message Jesus is delivering is that they have authority to explain the Law, but they do not have the right interior motives. So Jesus is explaining that motive is what is important.

Bless you :clapping:

Newby
 
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newby:
John,

I believe that the message Jesus is delivering is that they have authority to explain the Law, but they do not have the right interior motives. So Jesus is explaining that motive is what is important.

Bless you :clapping:

Newby
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This is very well stated and I believe a correct interpretation of the passage. It is a question of what is in the heart. At the same time I think that Jesus is pointing out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees because they are saying one thing and doing the opposite, thus they are not setting a good example to the people and as such they are shepherds who are leading their flock astray.

Maggie
 
I would like to expand the interpretation, if it’s okay.

Many have made the mistake of pouncing on the act of being a Pharisee as being wrong in itself. But as this passage shows, there was nothing wrong with being a Pharisee. Jesus surely showed them all the respect a Rabbi would have shown them at the time. His condemnation of them was due to their sin.

Similarly, many modern day Christians single out the rich as being inherently evil because Christ so often chastised them. But just as in the case of the Pharisees, Jesus was pointing at their attachment to material things. Believe it or not, contrary to what the Democrat Party says, all rich people are not evil. There are many good and decent philanthropists who possess true humility, which is what Christ calls us to do as well.
 
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