matthew-23:2-bsb

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 23:2

(2) The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.—The words were probably spoken of their collective action as represented in the Sanhedrin, rather than of their individual work as interpreters of the Law. As such, they claimed to be the authoritative exponents of the Law, and our Lord recognises (unless we suppose a latent protest in His words, like that which is veiled in the “full well ye reject” of Mark 7:9) their official claim to reverence. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 23:1-39

Matthew 23:5 Old Samuel Johnson, the greatest soul in England in his day, was not ambitious. 'Corsica Boswell' flaunted at public shows with printed ribbons round his hat: but the great old Samuel stayed at home. The world-wide soul wrapt up in its thoughts, in its sorrows what could paradings, and ribbons in the hat, do for it? Carlyle. Reference. XXIII. 5. C. Jerdan, Pastures of Tender Grass, p. 291. Matthew 23:8 The passage before us presents us with the true foundation on which all... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:1-39

6; Matthew 22:1-46; Matthew 23:1-39 Chapter 17Conflict in the Temple - Matthew 21:18-46 - Matthew 22:1-46 - Matthew 23:1-39IT had been written that the Lord should suddenly come to His Temple; {Malachi 3:1} but He would not too hastily assert His rights. The first day He simply "looked round about upon all things," {Mark 11:11} and then withdrew to Bethany. The second day-without, however, even yet assailing the authority of those in power-He assumed His prerogative as Lord of the Temple by... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Matthew 23:1-39

11. The Woes of the King and His Lamentation over Jerusalem. CHAPTER 23 1. The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees.(Matthew 23:1-12 .) 2. The Woes of the King upon Them.(Matthew 23:13-36 .) 3. The Lamentation over Jerusalem. (Matthew 23:37-39 .) For the last time we have seen the Pharisees in the presence of the Lord in the previous chapter. What an important part these ecclesiastical leaders of the professing people of God play in this Gospel. They rejected Him; hated Him without a cause, and... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Matthew 23:2

23:2 {1} Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees {a} sit in Moses’ seat:(1) We ought to listen to whatever we are truly taught from the word of God, even by wicked teachers, but in a way so that we abstain from their evil behaviour.(a) Because God appointed the order, the Lord would therefore have his word to be heard even from the mouth of hypocrites and hirelings. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:1-39

The Lord now turns to speak to the entire crowd, His disciples being mentioned as included. He warns them against the hypocrisy of scribes and Pharisees, for they sat in Moses' seat as enforcers of the law, but considered themselves exempt from its responsibilities. Yet he does not excuse the people on account of the hypocrisy of leaders. So far as they propounded the law of Moses, He tells the people to obey, but not to follow their example. For they laid heavy burdens on the people's... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:1-39

WOE AND FAREWELL Another effort to “entangle him in his talk,” and a new enemy, the Herodians. They were the politicians of the time, a low class of Jews who, for selfish reasons, favored the Roman rule represented by Herod. With flattery He is approached (Matthew 22:16 ), but had He answered their question negatively (Matthew 22:17 ), the Herodians would have accused Him before the Roman judges, while affirmatively, the Pharisees could have done so before the Sanhedrin. No true Messiah,... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Matthew 23:1-39

Chapter 82 Prayer Almighty God, thou givest the Holy Spirit unto men, that they may be enlightened and sanctified and made like thyself. If men being evil know how to give good gifts unto their children, how much more will our Father which is in Heaven give the Holy Spirit unto them that ask him. We come to ask for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon the Church of the redeemed, bought not with corruptible things as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lamb of God. He promised... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Matthew 23:1-12

"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, (2) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: (3) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (4) For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. (5) But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries,... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:2

The Scribes. They, who professed the greatest zeal for the law of Moses, and gloried in being the interpreters of it, sat upon the chair of Moses, succeeded to his authority of governing the people of God, of instructing them in his law, and of disclosing to them his will. Such, therefore, as did not depart from the letter of the law, were called Scribes. But such as professed something higher, and separated themselves from the crowd, as better than the ordinary class of men, were called ... read more