231 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples , 2 saying : " The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses ; 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe , but do not do according to their deeds ; for they say things and do not do them. 4 " They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders , but they themselves are unwilling e to move them with so much as a finger .#rl 5 "But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men ; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 "They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues , 7 and respectful greetings in the market places , and being called Rabbi by men . 8 "But do not be called Rabbi ; for One is your Teacher , and you are all brothers . 9 "Do not call anyone on earth your father ; for One is your Father , He who is in heaven . 10 "Do not be called leaders ; for One is your Leader , that is, Christ . 11 " But the greatest among you shall be your servant . 12 " Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled ; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 23:1-12
Commentary on Matthew 23:1-12
(Read Matthew 23:1-12)
The scribes and Pharisees explained the law of Moses, and enforced obedience to it. They are charged with hypocrisy in religion. We can only judge according to outward appearance; but God searches the heart. They made phylacteries. These were scrolls of paper or parchment, wherein were written four paragraphs of the law, to be worn on their foreheads and left arms, Numbers 15:38, to remind them of their being a peculiar people; but the Pharisees made them larger than common, as if they were thereby more religious than others. Pride was the darling, reigning sin of the Pharisees, the sin that most easily beset them, and which our Lord Jesus takes all occasions to speak against. For him that is taught in the word to give respect to him that teaches, is commendable; but for him that teaches, to demand it, to be puffed up with it, is sinful. How much is all this against the spirit of Christianity! The consistent disciple of Christ is pained by being put into chief places. But who that looks around on the visible church, would think this was the spirit required? It is plain that some measure of this antichristian spirit prevails in every religious society, and in every one of our hearts.