Matthew 23:5-7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 23:1-12

We find not Christ, in all his preaching, so severe upon any sort of people as upon these scribes and Pharisees; for the truth is, nothing is more directly opposite to the spirit of the gospel than the temper and practice of that generation of men, who were made up of pride, worldliness, and tyranny, under a cloak and pretence of religion; yet these were the idols and darlings of the people, who thought, if but two men went to heaven, one would be a Pharisee. Now Christ directs his discourse... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 23:1-39

If a man is characteristically and temperamentally an irritable, ill-tempered and irascible creature, notoriously given to uncontrolled outbursts of passionate anger, his anger is neither effective nor impressive. Nobody pays any attention to the anger of a bad-tempered man. But when a person who is characteristically meek and lowly, gentle and loving, suddenly erupts into blazing wrath, even the most thoughtless person is shocked into taking thought. That is why the anger of Jesus is so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:5

But all their works they do for to be seen of men ,.... All their prayers, alms deeds, and fastings, were all done in a public manner, that men might behold them, and they might have applause and glory from them: they sought neither the glory of God, nor the good of their fellow creatures, nor any spiritual advantage and pleasure to themselves, in their performances; they neither attended to moral duties, nor ceremonious rites, nor the traditions of their fathers, any further than they could... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:6

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts ,.... Or the first and chief places to sit, or lie down on, at ordinary meals, and especially at large entertainments, where the great ones sat, as in 1 Samuel 9:22 where Jarchi on the place observes, that by the manner of their sitting, it was known who was the greatest; and this the Scribes and Pharisees affected. With the Romans, the most honourable place was at the upper end of the table: some think it was more honourable to sit in the middle, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:7

And greetings in the markets ,.... They used to stroll about the markets, being public places, where there was a great concourse of people, on purpose to be taken notice of before multitudes, with singular marks of respect; as stretching out the hand, uncovering the head, and bowing the knee: and to be called of men Rabbi, Rabbi ; because of their great authority, and largeness of their knowledge: the repetition of the word Rabbi, is not made in the Vulgate Latin, nor in the Syriac,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:5

All their works they do for to be seen of men - In pointing out the corruptions of these men, our Lord gives us the distinguishing characteristics of all false teachers, whether Jewish or Christian. They live not according to the truths they preach. They say, and do not, Matthew 23:3 . They are severe to others, point out the narrowest road to heaven, and walk in the broad road themselves. They bind on burdens, etc., Matthew 23:4 . They affect to appear righteous, and are strict... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:7

To be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi - רבי רבי , i.e. My teacher! my teacher! The second rabbi is omitted by several excellent MSS., by most of the ancient versions, and by some of the fathers. Griesbach has left it in the text, with the note of doubtfulness. There are three words used among the Jews as titles of dignity, which they apply to their doctors - Rabh, Rabbi, and Rabban; each of these terms has its particular meaning: rabban implies much more than rabbi, and rabbi much more than... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:5

Verse 5 5.And all their works they do that they may be seen by men. He had lately said that the scribes live very differently from what they teach; but now he adds that, if they have any thing which is apparently good, it is hypocritical and worthless, because they have no other design than to please men, and to vaunt themselves. And here zeal for piety and a holy life is contrasted with the mask of those works which serve no purpose but for ostentation; for an upright worshipper of God will... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:6

Verse 6 6And love the first places at entertainments.. He proves, by evident signs, that no zeal for piety exists in the scribes, but that they are wholly devoted to ambition. For to seek the first places and the first seats belongs only to those who choose rather to exalt themselves among men, than to enjoy the approbation of God. But above all, Christ condemns them for desiring to be called masters; for, though the name Rabbi in itself denotes excellence, yet at that time the prevailing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:1-12

The scribes and Pharisees. I. THEIR CHARACTER . 1 . Their position . "They sit in Moses'seat." The scribes were the recognized teachers of the Law. The Pharisees exercised the greatest influence in the council and among the nation at large. Moses sat to judge the people ( Exodus 18:18 ); now the scribes taught and expounded the Law. Therefore the Lord enjoined obedience to their precepts. But we must mark the word "therefore." They were to be obeyed because they sat in... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 23:1-12

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 23:1-39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:1-12

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