Matthew 23

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:13-15

The credit of the Church. The Church of God is a unity throughout the ages. It is more proper to speak of the Christian dispensation of the Church than of the Christian Church as opposed to the Jewish. This unity exists, not only through the ages, but also throughout the universe. While its headquarters are in heaven, there has ever been a visible representation upon the earth. This is sometimes called "the Church;" in the Gospels it is distinguished as "the kingdom of heaven." In this sense... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:13-31

Condemnation of their hypocrisy. I. THE EIGHT WOES . 1 . The first. The reiterated "Woe unto you!" is an expression of holy indignation. Christ, the righteous Judge, denounces the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. He knew the hardness, the impenitence of their hearts, and in his awful justice he pronounces their condemnation. Yet those very woes are also utterances of holy sorrow. The word is thrice rendered "alas!" in Revelation 18:1-24 . (see also Matthew 24:19 ). The Lord... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:13-32

Eight woes pronounced on the Pharisees for their conduct and teaching. (Comp. Luke 11:42-52 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:14

Second woe— against rapacity and hypocrisy. There is some doubt about the genuineness of this verse, and our Revisers have expunged it from their text, relegating it to the margin. It is omitted by א , B, D, L, Z, some copies of the Vulgate and some versions; on the other hand, it is found in E, F, G, H, K, M, and other later uncials, and in the received Vulgate and Syriac Versions. Critics reject it as a supposed interpolation from Mark 12:40 ; Luke 20:47 . At any rate, whether... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:15

Third woe— against evil proselytizing. Ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte . The word προση ì λυτος is used in the Septuagint to signify "a stranger" or "sojourner" ( Exodus 12:48 , Exodus 12:49 , etc.), and at this time was applied to a convert to Judaism ( Acts 2:10 ; Acts 6:5 ), whether circumcised, "a proselyte of righteousness;" or uncircumcised, "a proselyte of the gate." To compass sea and land is a proverbial expression, denoting the employment of every... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:15

The peril of making proselytes. The term "proselytes" is used, and not "converts" or "disciples." it is employed when the idea to be conveyed is "persuasion" to accept some particular opinion or hobby, or to join some particular system or party. "Conversion" suggests an inward change and renewal; "proselyting" suggests outward association with a party. "Conversion" is full of hope; "proselyting" is full of peril. The word was used by the Jews for persons who had been heathen, but had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:16

Fourth woe— against evasive distinctions in oaths. Ye blind guides. They were by profession leaders and guides, and yet by their literalism and externalism they lost the true significance of the Scriptures which they taught, and the ritual of which they were the exponents. The Lord repeats the epithet "blind "( Matthew 23:17 , Matthew 23:19 , Matthew 23:24 ). Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing. Our Lord seems to refer more especially to oaths connected with vows, of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:16-22

Swearing. From the doings of the scribes and Pharisees the Lord passes to their teaching ; and he commences with their refinement in respect to oaths. There is no reference here to judicial swearing, or deposing upon oath before a magistrate in the interests of public justice. The whole argument goes to show that the swearing here referred to is the voluntary and gratuitous. I. SWEARING ORIGINATES IN FALSEHOOD . 1 . Simple assertion, is the sufficient bond of a true... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:17

Ye fools. Jesus adds to "blind" the epithet "fools," which implies not only the irrationality and absurdity of their practice, but also its moral delinquency, the fool in sapiential language being the sinner. The temple that sanctifieth the gold. Our Lord shows the absurdity of this sophistical distinction. It was because the temple was the place of God's presence that what was therein was consecrated. The gold was nothing without the temple; the temple, the originally holy, is superior to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:18

By the altar. The great altar of burnt offerings, according to the Mosaic ritual, was consecrated and dedicated with most remarkable solemnities, as the centre of sacrificial worship (see Exodus 29:36 , etc.; Exodus 30:28 , Exodus 30:29 ; Numbers 7:10 , etc.). The gift that is upon it. The victim, which, as being offered by themselves, was counted more worthy than the altar of God which sanctified the gift. This is, indeed, an instance of sight blinded by self-righteousness. He... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:13-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:13-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:13-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:16-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:18

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