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Matthew 23

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

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.

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

What does Matthew 23:10 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 23:10 is part of a larger discourse in which Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and love of titles and honor. In this particular verse, He instructs His followers not to be called "masters," because they have only one true Master, Christ Himself.

The term "master" in this context refers to an instructor or teacher.

The admonition is a call for humility and a reminder that all authority and ultimate leadership belong to Christ alone, discouraging any elevation of human leaders to a status that could compete with or overshadow Christ's unique authority.

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, Jewish society was very hierarchical, with the scribes and Pharisees holding significant religious authority and often seeking honor and recognition.

Titles such as "Rabbi" (teacher), "father," and "master" (or guide/leader) came with social prestige and implied a sense of spiritual superiority.

The Gospel of Matthew, written primarily for a Jewish audience, addresses issues pertinent to that community, and Jesus' teachings often confronted the misaligned priorities and practices of the religious leaders of the time.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse supports the concept of the priesthood of all believers in Christianity, wherein every believer has direct access to God without the need for human mediators.

It emphasizes Christ's headship over the church and the equality of believers before God.

Various denominations interpret the verse differently.

For instance, Catholic theology recognizes a spiritual fatherhood in the priesthood, while many Protestant groups take the verse as support for a more flattened church hierarchy.

Practical Applications

The verse can be applied in daily life by encouraging individuals to practice humility, to avoid seeking superiority over others, or using titles for self-aggrandizement.

It teaches that leadership within a Christian context should be characterized by servant-hood rather than a thirst for power.

This principle can extend to any position of authority, suggesting that leaders should remember they are ultimately accountable to Christ and should guide others with a spirit of humility and service.

Cross-References

Matthew 23:8 - "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren."
Matthew 20:25-27 - "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;"

1 Peter 5:3 - "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

Language Study

The term translated as "masters" in Matthew 23:10 is derived from the Greek word "καθηγητής" (kathēgētēs), which means a guide, leader, or teacher.

It conveys a sense of one who leads the way or directs others.

The use of the term "Christ" (Χριστός, Christos) signifies the anointed one, emphasizing Jesus' role as the Messiah and the authoritative teacher sent from God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures and religions, there were similar structures of religious hierarchy and authority.

For example, in Greco-Roman society, philosophers and religious leaders often had their own disciples and were given titles of respect.

Comparison with Jewish tradition also reveals a reverence for religious teachers, but Jesus' teaching contrasts with the common practice by reorienting the focus to divine rather than human authority.

Scientific Perspectives

There is no direct scientific perspective on this verse, as it addresses issues of religious authority and humility.

However, from a psychological standpoint, the principles of servant leadership and the rejection of authoritative titles can be linked to the benefits of egalitarianism and collaborative group dynamics observed in organizational psychology.

commentaries

Various Bible scholars and commentators have interpreted Matthew 23:10 in the context of Jesus' overall message of servant leadership.

Matthew Henry, for example, emphasizes that the titles of "master" and "father" are reserved in their highest sense for God, and that all Christian ministers are but servants.

John Calvin focused on the idea that this teaching forbids believers from usurping honor that belongs to God alone.

Contemporary scholars often discuss the implications of this verse for current church practices and leadership structures.

Matthew 23

Matthew 23

What does Matthew 23:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 23:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?