Matthew 23
Jesus states that we have to practice what we preach verse 1- 4
Then spoke 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 you 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
Jesus states that we are not to be showoffs verse 5- 7
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
Jesus states that we should be humble servants verse 8- 12
BUT be not you called Rabbi
FOR one is your Master – even Christ
and all you are brethren
AND call no man your father on the earth
FOR one is your Father
which is in heaven
NEITHER be you 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
False teachers prevent others from heaven verse 13- 15
BUT woe unto you – scribes – Pharisees – Hypocrites
FOR you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men
FOR you neither go in yourselves
neither suffer you them that are entering
to go in
Woe unto you – scribes – Pharisees – Hypocrites
FOR you devour widows’ houses
and FOR a pretense make long prayers
THEREFORE you shall receive the greater damnation
Woe unto you – scribes – Pharisees – Hypocrites
FOR you compass sea and land to make one proselyte
and when he is made – you make him twofold
more the child of hell than yourselves
Jesus warns about false swearing verse 16- 22
Woe unto you – you 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
You fools and blind
FOR whether is greater – the gold
or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
And – whosoever shall swear by the altar – it is nothing
BUT whosoever swears by the gift that is on it
he is guilty
You fools and blind – FOR whether is greater – the gift
or the altar that that sanctifies the gift?
Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar – swears by it
and by all things thereon
AND whoso shall swear by the temple – swears by it
and by HIM that dwells therein
AND he that shall swear by heaven – swears
by the throne of God
and by HIM that sits thereon
Jesus warns giving money isn’t all there
is to service verse 23- 24
Woe unto you – scribes – Pharisees – Hypocrites
FOR you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin
and have omitted the weightier matters
of the law – judgment – mercy – faith
these ought you to have done
and not to leave the others undone
You blind guides – which strain at a gnat
and swallow a camel
Jesus warns that belief means internal change verse 25- 28
Woe unto you scribes – Pharisees – Hypocrites
FOR you 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- Pharisees – Hypocrites
FOR you are like to whited sepulchers
which indeed appear beautiful outward
BUT are within full of dead men’s bones
and of all uncleanness
EVEN so you also outwardly appear righteous to men
BUT within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity
Jesus calls hypocrites a generation of vipers verse 29- 33
Woe unto you – scribes – Pharisees – Hypocrites
BECAUSE you build the tombs of the prophets
and garnish the sepulchers 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 you be witnesses unto yourselves
that you are the children of them
which killed the prophets
fill you up then
the measure of your fathers
You serpents – you generation of vipers
how can you escape the damnation of hell?
Jesus states how the servants of God are treated verse 34- 36
Wherefore – BEHOLD
I send to you prophets – wise men – 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 Zechariah son of Barachias
whom you slew
between the temple and the altar
VERILY I say unto you
All these things shall come upon this generation
Jesus condemns Jerusalem verse 37- 39
O Jerusalem – Jerusalem – you that kills the prophets
and stones them which are sent unto you
how often would I
have gathered your children together
even as a hen gathers
her chickens under her wings
and you would not
BEHOLD – your house is left to you desolate
FOR I say to you – You shall not see ME henceforth
till you shall say
Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 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. (5083 “observe” [tereo] means keep, reserve, watch, to attend to carefully, take care of, guard, obey, pay attention to, or protect.)
DEVOTION: Jesus doesn’t put any punches when HE talks about those who are religious fakes. They have the right vocabulary to sound like people who care about serving the LORD but their actions say something different. Jesus warns the people to watch out for those who are religious hypocrites.
What is a religious hypocrite? It is someone who claims to be a follower of God but his lifestyle says something different. He says one thing but on a regular basis does something different. Remember that ALL Christians are still sinners. They fail to act properly at times but it is not a regular daily or weekly activity. People can tell the difference between those who are trying to serve the LORD and those who are putting on an act.
There are however some people who won’t give anyone the benefit of doubt regarding their actions. If they see someone do something they don’t consider Christian they will call them on it and never forget their action. They will use it every time someone tries to witness to them about the LORD. They think their excuse for not becoming a follower of Christ will hold up when they meet the LORD in judgment. It will not hold up.
The example everyone is supposed to look at is Jesus Christ. All others will fall short. Jesus does say that we are to try to be consistent in our life of following the LORD. The only way we can be consistent is with the help of the Holy Spirit. The only way the Holy Spirit can help us is with us being willing to listen to HIM.
When does HE talk with us? HE talks through our prayer life and the Word of God. If we are not daily taking time to spend time with HIM, we will not hear HIM.
CHALLENGE: Observe the actions of the LORD and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and you can be consistent in your Christian life.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. (5440 “phylacteries” [phulakterion] means a small leather case or box worn on forehead and forearms containing Scripture, prayer-band, or amulet.)
DEVOTION: Appearance is everything to some people. These religious leaders wanted people to know just how spiritual they were in the eyes of the LORD. They were wearing extra large prayer boxes on their arms. These were prayer boxes to show they were great prayer warriors. Also they were wearing robes that showed that they true religious leaders who didn’t just put tassels on their robes.
These individuals expected other religious people to admire them for their appearance. The LORD continually warned the people to not be fooled by outward appearances. The LORD looks at the heart.
We need to understand that our outer appearance is important but not as important as our inner appearance. We need to strengthen the inner person by practicing what the LORD is teaching us through HIS Word and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our life.
We also need to not worry that we don’t look like other believers but like ourselves when we dress to honor the LORD. HE is the one we need to please not the people that are around us.
CHALLENGE: Pharisees were and are people pleasers. Don’t be a Pharisee today!
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: 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation. (4392 “pretense” [prophasis] means show, alleged reason, pretended cause, false motive, excuse, allegation, or excuse.)
DEVOTION: Remember that the scribes were the ones who wrote copies of the Old Testament and interpreted the Scriptures for the people. Pharisees were religious leaders who made up a ruling board called the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin had Pharisees and Sadducees. Pharisees were the ones who were the legalistic ones of the group. They had made up more rules than anyone could follow even Jesus.
Jesus considered both the scribes and Pharisees to be hypocrites because they were promoting a false religion rather than the true teachings of the Bible.
One of the ways they tried to impress people was to say long prayers in public but the LORD say that their prayers were a pretense to what a true prayer should be. They were saying things that would please the people hearing the prayers rather than reaching the LORD in heaven. Their prayers were truly only hitting the ceiling. They never made it to heaven because they were not even meant to go to heaven.
They also were taking money away from widows rather than helping them as the Word of God said was supposed to happen. We are to be ones who support those who are widows indeed. These are women who have lost their husbands and have no children or grandchildren to help support them in old age.
Their actions caused Christ to state that they would have a greater judgment than most people who were not true followers of the LORD. HE seems to be staying that there are degrees of punishment in hell for eternity. We will not fully understand what that means until after it happens.
Jesus doesn’t want hypocrites in HIS church. HE knows that the church is full of sinners but they shouldn’t fake that they are overly righteous when they are not. Our LORD wants us to be honest Christians who admit that we are struggling. HE will honor us for our honesty. No believer has arrived at perfection. Only a hypocrite would think those thoughts.
CHALLENGE: We are all pressing toward the mark of the high calling of Christ Jesus.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (5272 “hypocrisy” [hupokrisis] means an answer, the acting of a stage player, condemnation or dissimulation.)
DEVOTION: Most of us understand the idea of someone acting on a stage. The stage for the Pharisees was life. They were people who said one thing and did another. We all know people like that. Sometimes parents tell their children not to do something and they do it in front of them. Like telling them to not smoke or drink or do drugs.
The Pharisees were the religious leaders and they gave them a poor example to follow. They liked long prayers in public, so that, people would think that they were spiritual. They liked to look religious with all their long robes and things. They liked to be seen of men to be righteous. They liked to convert others to follow their example which made them twofold MORE the children of hell. They were leading people to hell and not to heaven. They were legalistic. They looked good on the outside but inside they were full of deadly poison. They even bragged that they would have been better followers of the LORD if they had lived in a previous generation. However, the LORD told them that they would kill HIM and others who were trying to follow the LORD.
Jesus was in HIS final week of life. HE would have liked the people of Jerusalem to follow HIS example. HE would have liked for them to believe HIS message. The sad truth was that they would NOT!!! They had their religion. They made their own rules. They looked good on the outside. People looked up to them and called them Rabbi or teacher. They didn’t want to change to be true believers.
Today we still have people acting on the stage in churches. They look good on the outside but inside they are not humble but proud of their positions in the church.
Today it might mean wearing a cross in public to look religious but not acting like it. Outward appearances meant everything to them. Christ tried to teach the disciples and all those who would listen that the inside is more important than the outside. The outside had to look good because the inside was full of the right motive.
The right motive was to give GLORY to God. If we are going to live a proper Christian life it has to begin on the inside. Are our motives, right? If our motives are right and our outward actions show good works then, we are bringing GLORY to God. We shouldn’t follow the example of the Pharisees and scribes. They are on their way to the lake of fire for eternity.
Many people use the fakers in the church as a reason they are not followers of the LORD. That excuse will not hold up when they stand before the LORD at the Great White Throne. They will be cast into the lake of fire with all the rest of those who are not true followers of the LORD.
CHALLENGE: If someone says that they don’t come to church because they don’t want to be with all those who are fakers – tell them that they can set an example for those fakers by becoming a true believer in the LORD. I have to make this comment regularly.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Tithe verse 23
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Long prayers (not good) verse 14
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Synagogues verse 6, 34
Rabbi verse 7
Temple verse 16, 17, 21, 35
Altar verse 20, 35
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Moses verse 2
Phylacteries verse 5
Law verse 23
Judgment verse 23
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Father – which is in heaven verse 9
God verse 22
Throne of God verse 22
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Jesus verse 1
Master verse 8,10
Christ verse 8, 10
Lord verse 39
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
To say and not do verse 3
Put heavy burdens on people verse 4
Serving for show (seen of men) verse 5
Enlarge borders of garments verse 5
Love uppermost room at feasts verse 6
Love chief seats in synagogues verse 6
Being called Master verse 7, 8, 10
Being called father verse 9
Exalt self verse 12
Hypocrite verse 13- 15, 23, 25, 27- 29
Devour widow’s houses verse 14
Long prayers (Pretense) verse 14
Blind guides verse 16, 24
Swearing verse 16, 18, 20- 22
Fools verse 17, 19
Blind verse 17, 19, 26
External religion verse 25, 27, 28
Extortion verse 25
Excess verse 25
Whited sepulchers verse 27
Uncleanness verse 27
Hypocrisy verse 28
Iniquity verse 28
Blood of the prophets verse 30, 34- 37
Killed the prophets verse 31, 34, 35, 37
Crucify the prophets verse 34
Serpents verse 33
Generation of vipers verse 33
Would not be gathered verse 37
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Brethren verse 8
Servant verse 11
Humble verse 12
Sanctifies verse 17
Tithe verse 23
Mercy verse 23
Faith verse 23
Righteous verse 28, 29, 35
Prophets verse 29- 31, 34, 37
Wise men verse 34
Scribes verse 34
Blessed verse 39
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Jesus’ disciples verse 1
Scribes verse 2, 13- 15, 23, 25, 27, 29
Pharisees verse 2, 13- 15, 23, 25- 27, 29
Moses verse 2
Rabbi verse 7
Abel verse 35
Zacharias son of Barachias verse 35
Jerusalem verse 37
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Heaven verse 9, 13, 22
Kingdom of heaven verse 13
Greater damnation verse 14
Twofold more child of hell verse 15
Damnation of hell verse 33
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QUOTES regarding passage
6.195 φυλακτήριον, ου n: a small leather case containing OT scripture verses and worn on the arm and forehead by Jews, especially when praying—‘phylactery.’ πλατύνουσιν γὰρ τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν ‘they make their phylacteries broad’ Mt 23:5.
The Greek word φυλακτήριον, both before and during NT times, referred to an object used as a means of protection from evil forces. As such, it constituted a kind of amulet, but in Mt 23:5 φυλακτήριον is a reference to what was called in Aramaic tephillin, meaning ‘prayers.’ The two phylacteries, one worn on the head and the other on the left arm, were bound on during daily morning prayers. Just what their function seems to have been is not certain. In Mt 23:5, Jesus does not condemn the use of such phylacteries, but he does denounce their ostentatious use. (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, pp. 75–76). New York: United Bible Societies.)
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PHYLACTERY
phulakterion (φυλακτήριον, 5440), primarily “an outpost,” or “fortification” (phulax, “a guard”), then, “any kind of safeguard,” became used especially to denote “an amulet.” In the NT it denotes a prayer fillet, “a phylactery,” a small strip of parchment, with portions of the Law written on it; it was fastened by a leather strap either to the forehead or to the left arm over against the heart, to remind the wearer of the duty of keeping the commandments of God in the head and in the heart; cf. Ex. 13:16; Deut. 6:8; 11:18. It was supposed to have potency as a charm against evils and demons. The Pharisees broadened their “phylacteries” to render conspicuous their superior eagerness to be mindful of God’s Law, Matt. 23:5.¶ (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, pp. 470–471). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.)
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In severe language Jesus condemned the religious leaders, calling them snakes and a brood of vipers, whose eternal destiny was hell (lit., “Gehenna”), the place of eternal punishment (cf. v. 15; cf. comments on Gehenna in 5:22). The evidence that they were deserving of hell would be their continual rejection of the truth. The Lord promised to send them prophets and wise men and teachers, but the leaders would reject their words and even kill some and flog and pursue others. Their response to the proclaimed truth would justify the judgment coming on them. (Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 75). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Peacemakers and persecuted are God’s children—persecutors are the devil’s children (vv. 29–33; 5:9–12). When Jesus called the Pharisees “serpents … generation of vipers,” He was identifying them with Satan who is the serpent (Gen. 3:1ff). In His Parable of the Tares, Jesus made it clear that Satan has a family (Matt. 13:38). Satan is a murderer and a liar (John 8:44), and his children follow his example. The Pharisees were liars (Matt. 23:30) and murderers (Matt. 23:34).
It was traditional for the Pharisees to build, improve, and embellish the tombs of the martyrs. But it was “their fathers” who killed the martyrs! Not their biological fathers, of course, but their “spiritual fathers”—the hypocrites of the past ages.
There have always been counterfeit believers in the world, starting with Cain (Gen. 4:1–15; 1 John 3:10–15). The Pharisees and their kind are guilty of all the righteous blood shed in the name of “religion.” The first martyr recorded in Old Testament Scripture was Abel (Gen. 4), and the last one recorded was the Prophet Zechariah (2 Chron. 24:20–22—the Hebrew Bible ends with 2 Chronicles, not Malachi).
What will be the result of this long history of murders? Terrible judgment! “This generation” (the “generation of vipers,” Matt. 23:33) would taste the wrath of God when the cup of iniquity was full (Gen. 15:16; Matt. 23:32). Some of this judgment came when Jerusalem was destroyed, and the rest will be meted out in eternity.
As we review these tragic woes from the lips of our Lord, we can see why the Pharisees were His enemies. He emphasized the inner man; they were concerned with externals. He taught a spiritual life based on principles, while the Pharisees majored on rules and regulations. Jesus measured spirituality in terms of character, while the Pharisees measured it in terms of religious activities and conformity to external laws. Jesus taught humility and sacrificial service; but the Pharisees were proud and used people to accomplish their own purposes. The holy life of Jesus exposed their artificial piety and shallow religion. Instead of coming out of the darkness, the Pharisees tried to put out the Light; and they failed. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 85–86). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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The Charge of Hypocrisy. Matthew spoke explicitly of hypocrites thirteen times in his Gospel (6:2, 5, 16; 7:5; 15:7; 22:18; 23:13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29; 24:51). All but one (23:16) of the seven pronouncements of woe in Matthew 23 speak of the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites, and even 23:16 portrays the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites— “blind guides.” The various words related to “hypocrite” come not from the Hebrew Bible but from the Graeco-Roman world, describing someone who gave an answer, interpreted an oracle, mimicked another person, or acted a part in a drama. At times, the idea of pretending in order to deceive is present, but the word itself does not have a negative connotation (BDAG 1038). In Matthew hypocrites are more specifically those who live for fleeting human applause rather than for eternal divine approval (6:2, 5, 16). Hypocrites honor God outwardly, while their hearts are far from God (15:7–8). A hypocrite pretends to have sincere religious interest while questioning Jesus with evil intent. Further, such a person says one thing but does another (23:3; cf. Rom 2:21–24). Thus, in Matthew, hypocrisy involves religious fraud, a basic discrepancy or inconsistency between one’s outwardly godly behavior and one’s inner evil thoughts or motives.
Isaiah 29:13 may be the most important prophetic text condemning religious fraud. This passage, cited by Jesus in 15:7–9, concerns the religious leaders (Isa 29:1, 10, 14, 20–21) of Jerusalem (“Ariel”; Isa 29:1, 2, 7). The fraud described there involves seemingly pious words and traditional rulings which in reality disguise hearts that are far from God and plans that are thought to be hidden from God’s sight (Isa 29:15). Israel’s charismatic leaders, the prophets, were mute (Isa 29:10–12) and its judges were corrupt (Isa 29:20–21). But in spite of this, Israel’s outward religious observances went on (Isa 29:1). Jesus applied this passage to certain Pharisees and scribes, who insisted on the ritual washing of hands before meals but dishonored their parents by the fraudulent claim that what might have been given to the parents had already been promised to God (15:5). For Jesus, this “corban” practice, evidently sanctioned by the “tradition of the elders,” violated and set aside God’s law (15:6). Additionally, the practice of ritual washing of hands made the fundamental error of viewing defilement as coming to humans from external sources rather than coming from humans due to an internal problem, an evil heart (15:11–20).
Jesus’ rebuke of hypocrisy is not only deeply rooted in the Old Testament (cf. Ps 50:16–23, 78:36–37; Isa 48:1–2; 58:1–9; Jer 3:10; 7:4–11; 12:2; Ezek 33:30–33; Mic 3:11; Mal 1:6–10), it is also similar to rebukes found in Second Temple Jewish literature. For example, Psalms of Solomon presents a withering critique of hypocritical religious and political leaders, including the wish that crows would peck out their eyes and that their corpses would not be buried (4:19–20). Assumption of Moses 7 predicts the demise of hypocrites who behave unjustly and sensuously while at the same time being concerned for ritual purity. Rule of the Community, from Qumran, divides humanity into the righteous who will be eternally rewarded and the deceitful who will be eternally punished, and includes hypocrisy in a list of the vices of the deceitful (1QS 4:10). The later Rabbinic literature was also sensitive to the problem of hypocrisy, even among the Pharisees. The Talmudic discussions of seven types of Pharisees, of whom only the one who acted out of love was approved, is illuminating (y. Berakhot 14b; y. Sotah 20c; b. Sotah 22b). The “shoulder” Pharisee, who conspicuously carries his good deeds on his shoulder so that people can see them, is particularly relevant to the charge of hypocrisy in Matthew 23. See also b. Sotah 41b and 42a which affirm respectively that hypocrites will go to hell and never see the Shekinah. (Turner, D., & Bock, D. L. (2005). Cornerstone biblical commentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark (pp. 299–301). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.)
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Ver. 33. Ye servants, ye generation of vipers, &c.] The latter of these names, John the Baptist calls the Sadducees and Pharisees by, in ch. 3:7 and Christ, in ch. 12:34 both express their craft and subtlety, their inward poison, and venomous nature; their fair outside, and specious pretences; their hypocrisy, malice, and wickedness; in which they were like to the old serpent, their father the devil, and to their ancestors, that murdered the prophets; nor could any good thing be expected, from such a viperous generation: how can ye escape the damnation of hell? signifying, that it was impossible that they should; nor could they surely expect it themselves, who must be conscious to themselves of their wickedness, malice, and deceit. The Persic version reads it, where can ye escape? &c. and so Beza says it was read, in one ancient copy of his; and the sense is, whither can ye flee? to whom, or what can you have recourse to, to screen you from the wrath to come? Rocks and mountains, caves and dens, will be of no service. The phrase, דינה של גיהנﬦ, the judgment, or damnation of hell, is a phrase often used in the Talmud, and Midrashesq of the Jews; and intends future torment, and the everlasting vengeance and wrath of God, the unquenchable fire prepared for the devil and his angels, and which impenitent unbelieving sinners cannot escape. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 279). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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i. How the Lord Described Them (23:32–33a)
The Lord described their full measure of guilt. He called the scribes and Pharisees “serpents” and “generation of vipers” (23:33). They were a venomous breed indeed, true children of that old serpent the devil (John 8:44). What an assessment of their character! Remember, these were the religious leaders of the day, men who had a reputation among the people for piety and set the norms for faith and morals. They were spiritual descendants of Cain, who murdered Abel, the first martyr of the true faith.
ii. How the Lord Damned Them (23:33b–35)
a. They Were Destined for Hell (23:33b)
The Lord asked them, “How can ye escape the damnation of hell [Gehenna]?” Note that He did not say there was no escape. There was a way of escape, but they would refuse that new and living way into the holiest through the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19–20). How rare it is for a Pharisee of whatever persuasion to accept God’s means of grace! The Lord was talking to men who refused the conditions of salvation. The great white throne judgment and the flames of eternal fire are the inevitable end of unrepentant behavior such as theirs. (Phillips, J. (2014). Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary (Mt 23:32–33b). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch.)
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FROM MY READING:
Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe
The book of Proverbs warns that deceitful witnesses will be punished and might even perish for their evil deeds (Prov. 19:5, 9; 21: 28) (p. 122)
It is certainly tragic when an innocent person is punished or even killed because somebody told lies on the witness stand while a true witness said nothing. But this could happen many times in the course of a day when you and I fail to use the opportunities the Lord gives us to share Christ with others. (p. 122)
People can argue with us about churches and theology but not about our personal witness about what Christ has done for us! (p. 123)
It is the true witness who delivers souls, not the angry debater or the peddler with a memorized sales pitch. True witnesses speak God’s truth in love, listen in love, and trust the Spirit to work. (p. 123)
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1 Corinthians 7
Paul instructs the Corinthians concerning marriage, divorce, and singleness.
INSIGHT
Within the bonds of marriage, spiritual, emotional, and physical dimensions exist. The relationship should be established by a spiritual bond out of which flow emotional and physical bonds. When this order is properly maintained, the relationship is balanced and satisfying. However, many marriages take the opposite direction. Out of physical attraction grow emotional bonds, and spiritual bonds may or may not follow. Strive to strengthen the spiritual bonds in your relationships in order to keep them healthy and balanced. Even in a marriage where one partner is unsaved, the relationship will be stronger and more satisfying if your spouse sees the reality of your spiritual life and love for Jesus Christ.
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LOVING THE BRETHREN
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light. 1 John 2:10
As Christians look at their fellow men and women, they see people exactly like themselves before their eyes were opened, and now they are sorry for them. They begin to love hateful persons instead of hating them. They say, “We are all in the same position,” and they begin to have an eye of compassion for them. Their knowledge of the love of God in Christ makes them love other people even as they have been loved themselves. They are new men and women with a new outlook; they are in a new realm. They feel the love of God in their heart, and they want to love Him and glorify Him, and they know they can glorify God most of all by being new men and women, by living as Christ lived and thereby showing and proving that they are indeed true disciples.
Christ our Lord put this perfectly once in the parable of the man who was a servant and was in trouble. He went to his lord and pleaded for forgiveness, and that lord forgave him. But there was another man who was a servant under the first servant who came to him and made exactly the same plea, but the forgiven servant took the other by the throat and said, “No, I won’t let you off—you have to pay to the last farthing.” Well, said our Lord (Matthew 18:23-35), that man must not think he has been forgiven, for the man who does not forgive will not be forgiven.
What this means is that you and I can only be happy about the fact that we are Christians if we find this loving, forgiving spirit within ourselves. It is idle for us to say that we know God has forgiven us if we ourselves are not loving and forgiving. People who say they are in the light but who hate and do not forgive their brother are in darkness even now.
A Thought to Ponder
It is idle for us to say that we know that God has forgiven us if we ourselves are not loving and forgiving.
(From Walking with God, pp. 64-65, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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First Things First
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
There are innumerable things to do and things to buy and things to read. How does one choose between them? An important guideline is the use of the word “first” in the New Testament. For example, consider the following priority items.
Priority in awareness: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers . . . saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for . . . all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4). The primary intellectual heresy of these latter times is the anti-God philosophy of naturalistic evolutionism, as succinctly outlined in this passage.
Priority in behavior: “Cleanse first that which is within the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 23:26). The thoughts of our hearts will inevitably control the words on our lips and the works of our hands.
Priority in giving: “[They] first gave their own selves to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5). One’s possessions, talents, time, and all other resources belong to the Lord, but such gifts are acceptable to God only when offered by one whose heart first has been given fully to Him.
Priority in witness: “For I delivered unto you first of all . . . how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Priority in concern: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1).
Finally, as the Lord Jesus Himself has commanded, our first priority in every decision should be to do that which honors the kingdom of Christ and His righteousness.
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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The Bible offers no comfort whatsoever to people who are not Christians. It has only warnings for them. But the Bible offers much comfort to Christians. (p. 214)
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(Jesus) is the Mediator; he is not the end. Many people pray to our Lord, but they never pray to the Father, they never talk about the Father. That is unscriptural. We go through Jesus Christ to the Father. So, we move from the statement that he is not ashamed to call us brethren to the statement in Hebrews 11:16 that God is not ashamed to be called our God. This demands our consideration. (p. 214)
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Go back to your Old Testament, read the stories of these men, and you will see that they were not characters in fairy tales. They lived in this world just as you and I are living in it, and this old world has always been the same. It is very bad today, but it has always been bad. Indeed these men had to endure some of the most terrible agonies and sufferings that men have ever faced, and yet in spite of it all they lived and died gloriously. (p.215)
(A Merciful and Faithful High Priest by Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture Ecclesiastes 12:6-8
There is a popular quote saying, “nothing is certain except death and taxes.” While we live, we are encumbered with the responsibilities of supporting our government. When we die, the scriptures state that we will stand before God. Are you ready?
Solomon spoke of growing old in the previous section (vv.1-5) and addresses the issue of death for a final time in this book. He challenges the reader with the critical issue of remembering God before the cord of life breaks. The precious quality of life is characterized by the usage of expensive metals of silver and gold.
Solomon uses three illustrations of bowls to depict our lives, and each was important in the lives of his readers. The first is the gold bowl used to light the room. It is held by a silver cord and both the bowl and cord indicate an expensive piece of furniture. This light producing fixture is extinguished when the cord breaks and the bowl shatters upon impact with the ground. The second is the pitcher at the fountain. Again, an important bowl used every day to bring life giving water to the family and essential for all activities of the home. The last bowl is the one that is at the well and was used to draw water out of the well. The word, ‘wheel’ could indicate the pulley mechanism or the bowl. Either way, when the wheel broke, the well was unusable.
The solemn warning and clear teaching from Solomon would be to remember God, the essential point of life. As these bowls were used every day, care and maintenance of them was necessary or serious consequences would occur when they become inoperable. Solomon emphasizes in verse seven, the dust (body) will return to the earth and the spirit will return to God. The inescapable truth is just as the bowls would break, so too, death will transpire. His urgent plea to his readers was, do not wait until it is too late, serve God now!
While conducting a memorial service yesterday, I had the opportunity to bring this point clearly to those who were present. 2 Timothy 4:6 states that Paul knew his departure was at hand. He had prepared for that day and now was ready to face the righteous judge who awaited his arrival. Paul was not afraid but anxious to stand before Him.
May we look forward to meeting the Lord also by daily remembering and learning of the One Who is eternal!
With an Expectant hope, Pastor Miller
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