Beware of Religious Phonies

Matthew 23:1-12

In this section of Matthew’s Gospel, we are following the events in the final week of Jesus’ life before He went to the cross. We have seen increasing conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities in the temple in Jerusalem. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were by and large hypocrites, and over the last few days in the temple, Jesus has exposed their unrepentant hypocrisy in the parables He told and the questions He answered. The last six verses of Matthew 22 confirmed their hardness of heart. In those verses, Jesus proved from the Old Testament that the Messiah would be more than a man. But rather than believing God’s word and repenting, the Pharisees were silent.

In Matthew 23, we have the last public teaching of Jesus—His last sermon to the multitudes. After this, Jesus will only teach His disciples privately. Jesus knows these will be His last words of counsel to the people. They are words of warning against their religious leaders, namely the scribes and the Pharisees.

Matthew 23 can be divided into three parts. In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus speaks to His disciples and the gathered multitudes, warning them not to follow the hypocritical practices of the scribes and Pharisees. Then, in Matthew 23:13-36, Jesus pronounces seven “woes” directly upon the scribes and Pharisees themselves. And finally, in Matthew 23:37-39, Jesus speaks mournful words of lament over Jerusalem for its hard-hearted rejection of Him. So, first we see our Lord’s warnings; then, His woes; and finally, His words of weeping.

This morning, we look at the warnings to His disciples and the crowds about the religious hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. As Matthew writes this true teaching of Jesus, it is more than just a rebuke against the Pharisees, it is also a warning against hypocrisy in the church, especially among its leaders. It is a call for us to examine ourselves against the backdrop of Jesus’ warnings. First, Jesus warns about the hypocrisy and pride of the Jewish leaders (Matt. 23:1-7), then He calls His disciples to a life of servanthood and humility (Matt. 23:8-12).

1. Warning about the Scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-7).

Jesus began by saying something surprising to the multitudes and to His disciples—especially considering what He is about to say to the scribes and Pharisees in the rest of the chapter. Jesus will later condemn them in no uncertain terms. But first, He says, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do . . .” (Matt. 23:2-3). A “seat”, in the sense that Jesus here speaks of it, is a position of authority that a teacher in Israel would occupy. In some synagogues, this was the literal seat that was centrally placed in the front, from which the scribes and Pharisees taught the law of Moses.

The scribes and the Pharisees were the bible scholars of the day. They had made it their life’s vocation to study the law, and interpret its application. And to the extent that they truly and accurately taught God’s law, the scribes and Pharisees truly sat in Moses’ “seat”. When they taught faithfully from God’s law, Jesus tells His followers to “observe” and “do” as they say. The truth of God’s word is always valid, no matter who speaks it. The law of Moses came from God, and so Jesus told the people you should do the things they tell you, at least as far as they correctly taught and interpreted the law.

We know from the rest of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew that the scribes and Pharisees did not always teach the law of God accurately. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said six times, “You have heard that it was saidbut I say to you …” (Matt. 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43). In each of those instances, Jesus corrected the erroneous teaching of the scribes and Pharisees. They beyond the scriptures in their teaching on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-14). They went astray in their teaching on how you are defiled (Matt. 15:1-20). And most importantly, they denied who Jesus was, questioning His authority (Matt. 21:23-27). Jesus clearly opposed these teachings. But the authority of the law of God stands even when men teach it wrongly.

The problem was not always what they taught, but that their teaching was …

A. Characterized by Hypocrisy (Matt. 23:2-4)

What our Lord tells His followers is this: “. . . but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do” (Matt. 23:3). In other words, they were hypocrites. They taught the law, but they did not practice the law. Or when they did practice it, they practiced their own legalistic version of it with all sorts of man-made rules and traditions. Jesus says, “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” (Matt. 23:4).

They made things harder for the people, and they weren’t even willing to help out. They were quick to point out the sins of others, but they would not admit their own sins and repent. In short, they preached that others should do what they themselves wouldn’t do. The very heart of hypocrisy is that we think we can help other people by setting standards for them that we don’t feel the need to keep.

Jesus warned us about this kind of hypocrisy in the Sermon on the Mount, saying,

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5).

We must be sure that we preach nothing to others that we aren’t prepared to apply equally to ourselves. The scribes and Pharisees heaped on the people burdensome rules and regulations that were an unbearable load to carry—ones that even they themselves would not carry.  

How unlike Jesus! He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” (Matt. 11:28). In just two more days, Jesus would take all of our sins and burdens upon Himself at the cross. Isaiah prophesies of Jesus, “Surely He has borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4).

Next, Jesus goes further to show that not only were they characterized by hypocrisy, they were also …

B. Characterized by Seeking Acclaim (Matt. 23:5-7)

Jesus says, “But all their works they do to be seen by men . . .” (Matt. 23:5). The religious rules they followed, the rituals they observed, and the alms they performed—they weren’t done from a heart of reverent service to God. Rather, they were all done to make themselves look good in the eyes of other people.

Jesus gives evidence of this that anyone in the crowds could see. The first example is, “They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments” (Matt. 23:5). “Phylacteries” were little boxes, tied to leather straps, that they bound to their arms and hands, or onto their foreheads. In these boxes, they placed portions of Scripture, or written prayers. By doing this, they were sought to apply literally what it says in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, where God told the Israelites,

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as front lets between your eyes. You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

Ordinarily, Jewish men would wear these ‘phylacteries’ during times of public worship. But when the synagogue gathering was over, the scribes and Pharisees continued to keep theirs on—walking around with them in public display. And Jesus says they made them “broad” (that is, large and easy to see), in order to show that they were loaded-up with a lot of passages of Scripture and a lot of prayers.

In addition, Jesus says they also “enlarge the borders of their garments.” This refers to the commandment in Numbers 15, where God told the Jewish men to make ‘tassels’ on the corners of their garments (Num. 15:37-41). These ‘tassels’—dangling down from the corners of their garments—were to remind them to “remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them” (Num. 15:39). Apparently, even the Lord Jesus had these on His garments (Matthew 9:20; 14:36). But the scribes and Pharisees made their tassels ostentatiously long and “enlarged”, in order give everyone the impression that they were more devoted to the law than everyone else.

Let’s be careful here to say that Jesus does not teach we must avoid ever letting our devotion to the Lord be seen. Jesus Himself taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). What’s the difference? It’s our motivation. We’re to let our light so shine that men may glorify our Father—not that men may glorify us! God knows our motivation. He knows when we are seeking the applause of men rather than the glory of God. Hypocrites put their piety on parade to receive the acclaim of others.

Jesus gives more evidence of their self-aggrandizing behavior in Matthew 23:6-7, “They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

The scribes and Pharisees were among the most highly respected members of the community. And that was an aspect of their role that they were really fond of. They were invited to the important feasts; and when they arrived, they found that the best place at the table had their name on it. Or when they went to the synagogue, they found a seat of honor set aside just for them. When they walked down the street, or they went to the marketplace, they were recognized and greeted. People greeted them by calling them “Rabbi”, which meant “honored teacher”. And Jesus says, they loved it!

Professing our religion in such a way as to win social benefits that we may derive from it as a result, is a dangerously slippery slope. We will soon be compromising our profession in such a way as to gain the most social approval. Being an attention grabber is also hypocrisy. May God protect us from it by helping us not to do as the Pharisees and scribes did—who showed-off their religion to gain acclaim from others.

Having warned about the hypocritical practices of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus then goes on to teach His disciples by giving them an …

2. Admonition to Humility (Matt. 23:8-12).

First, Jesus urges humility by teaching us to …

A. Avoid Exalted Titles (Matt. 23:8-10)

What Jesus said about the scribes and Pharisees who loved to be called “Rabbi, Rabbi”, led Him to then go on to say to His followers, “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’ [that is, ‘exalted teacher’]; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers [or, more literally, ‘leaders’ or ‘masters’]; for One is your Teacher [or ‘Leader’ or ‘Master’], the Christ” (Matt. 23:8-10).

Jesus says don’t seek to be called by titles that would make you feel superior to other people. We only have one Rabbi or truly ‘exalted teacher’, and we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We have one Father, and He is in heaven. We have one Master, and He is Christ.

It is not wrong to serve as a teacher, pastor, or spiritual father to others in the church. We see examples of this all throughout the New Testament. God has appointed pastors and teachers in the church. But the pastor or teacher has authority only so long as they are accurately presenting the word of God. We must remember that all believers in Christ are equal before God, and we are never to claim personal superiority over others. What I believe that our Lord is forbidding is “religious professionalism”—that is, esteeming people in the church simply because of the titles men have given them, and not with regard to Christ.

I love Pastor Michael’s attitude in this regard. He has worked hard and rightfully earned his doctoral degree. But he never insists or even expects people to call him Doctor Shockley. He would rather just be called Michael or brother. I serve in the office of pastor, but I would never insist you address me by the title. I am a servant of Christ, just as the rest of you. In the church, the love of “titles” is a snare. It cultivates an unhealthy fear of man and obscures the esteem we owe first to our Lord. Never allow a human with a title to take the place that only God Himself should occupy in our lives.

Finally, Jesus teaches His disciples to …

B. Embrace Servanthood (Matt. 23:11-12)

Jesus says in Matthew 23:11-12, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The scribes and Pharisees were not concerned about serving anyone. They used their religious position to make themselves great in the eyes of the people. Jesus taught His disciples to do the opposite. And He set the example for them to follow. In Matthew 20, when James and John, with their mother, came to Jesus seeking places of honor in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus said,

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:25-28).

The way of “greatness” in our Lord’s kingdom is humble service in His name. No one stooped down as low, in humble service, as our Savior did. Paul writes about Jesus Christ,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:6-8).

Jesus came as a servant. He came in obedience to His Father. He came giving His life on the cross for us. Paul goes on to write,

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11).

God the Son humbled Himself and became a human. He selflessly served others, ultimately sacrificing His life to save us. And God exalted Him to the highest place of honor.

Scripture consistently teaches that the proud are brought low, but God exalts the humble. We should never strive for prominence, prestige, or positions. We should, instead, strive to humbly serve our Lord by serving others. I fear that in the church today there is far too much emphasis on becoming leaders, and not enough on becoming servants. There are shelves full of volumes of books that tell you how to be a church leader, how to grow a great church, and how to increase the influence of your leadership. Jesus did not teach us to be leaders. He taught us to be servants. Jesus warns us “ whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12).

So let’s take the warning from Jesus to heart today. We must beware of hypocrisy, especially in ourselves. Beware of pride and attention seeking. The only one who deserves honor—the greatest prominence, prestige, position, and power—is our Lord Jesus Christ. May everything we do and say bring glory to His name!

 

 

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