For what reason did Jesus pronounce His first woe upon the scribes and Pharisees? See Mat 23:13; cf. Luk 11:52. Notice that the NASB “shut off” = KJV “shut up” and refers most frequently to the shutting of a door; what is the door through which one must enter into God’s kingdom? See Joh 10:9,…
In light of the religious pretense of the scribes and Pharisees—saying and not doing, placing heavy burdens on others that they were unwilling to lift so much as a finger to help move, and doing their religious deeds only to be seen and recognized by men—what does Jesus call them in Mat 23:13? How many…
Recall that Jesus has been denouncing the scribes and Pharisees for their desire to be noticed by men. Considering the propensity of man’s fallen nature to seek such titles so they may be recognized by others and lord over them, what does Jesus command His disciples in Mat 23:8-10? What is the significance of His…
Recall that Jesus has been denouncing the scribes and Pharisees for seeking the recognition of men. Besides loving the place of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greeting in the marketplaces, what else does Jesus mention they loved that illustrates their desire to be noticed by men? See Mat 23:7. …
What four examples does Jesus give in Mat 23:6-7 that illustrate the desire of the scribes and Pharisees to be noticed and recognized by men? What did Jesus mean by the place of honor at banquets? Note: In large houses there was a raised platform for the “top table” where honored guests would be received. …
Besides tying up heavy loads that were burdensome for the people to carry, what other main charge does Jesus make against the scribes and Pharisees that reveals their true nature as hypocrites? See Mat 23:5a, cf. Mat 6:1-2,5,16. What two examples does He give of them making a show of their religious deeds to be…
When Jesus says to the crowds and His disciples about the scribes and Pharisees, “all that they tell you, do and observe”, or when Paul says that “every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities” (Rom 13:1), are we to understand them to mean that we are to uncritically obey such authorities…
Did Jesus say to the crowds and to His disciples that because of the religious pretense and hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees they should just ignore their teaching? See Mat 23:3a. Because of their education and role as teachers of the people who sit in the seat of Moses, what did Jesus say the…
What is meant by the “chair of Moses” in Mat 23:2? Cf. Ezr 7:6,25, Mal 2:7 and think: although God had given His “great and glorious” law (Isa 42:21) that was “holy and righteous and good” (Rom 7:12) through Moses to the Jews, by what means did they actually come to know and understand it,…
Recall that it is Tuesday of Passion week and Jesus is in the temple where the religious leaders have made multiple attempts to ensnare Him in something He might say by posing various questions (Mat 21:23, 22:15,23,34). From envy (Mat 27:18) they were seeking some reason to deliver Him up to the Roman authorities to…