The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 23 Part 2 Pride And Traditions Of Men Rebuked By Jesus

In all His preaching, Jesus was most severe upon the scribes and Pharisees. 

Their prideful arrogance, worldliness and willingness to impose harsh traditions of men is opposed to the spirit of the gospel. 

Pharisees and scribes imposed strict rules  and strong penalties upon common people under the guise of religion.

They diminished God's Word and set themselves up in His place.

Therefore, Jesus gave strong words of condemnation and correction directed at those religious leaders.

Matthew 23:1-3  Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2  Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 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. 

In our last lesson we took time to look at what Jesus meant when He spoke about scribes sitting in Moses' seat.

We saw Old Testament scriptures that mandated the  scribes to open God's law and read it to all Israel, and then to make sure the people understood what they heard.

This is certainly the goal of all faithful pastors and teachers, when we open the scriptures to share what God says with other people.

We do not need more of men's musings or foolish speculations.

We just need pastors and teachers who open God's Word to read it with us, and then explain it in simple terms.

This is why Jesus said that when scribes open the scriptures, the people should hear and heed the message from God.

However, Jesus also said they should not imitate the conduct of Pharisees and scribes.

Judaism focused upon external works that they believed could earn them God's favor.

These people groups were hypocrites and told the common folks "Do as we say, not as we do."

Jesus and His apostles gave us many clear warnings because we are the sheep of His pasture.

As such, we must be told of the wolves (Acts 20:29-30), and the dogs (Philippians  3:2), or the deceitful workers (2 Corinthians 11:13), so that we know to be on guard and stand firm on God's truth.

As Jesus delved more deeply into this spiritual error He gave specific examples before pronouncing judgment upon them.

Matthew 23:4  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. 

The phrase "They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be born" refers to traditions of men created by Pharisees and scribes, that they imposed on the people.

It is impossible to list all the traditions and rules of men that Pharisees imposed on others, but we can get an idea of the scope of such rules by looking at some Sabbath restrictions.

The Pharisees created 39 categories of forbidden work (Melachot), each containing many sub‑rules. 

These traditions of elders are not from the Scriptures. 

They are man made rules and regulations that Pharisees cherished more than the Word of God.

Examples include:

One cannot pick grain to eat on the Sabbath day because they viewed that as "harvesting crops."

This is why the attacked Jesus' disciples for plucking corn to eat it on the Sabbath (See Matthew 12:1-8).

Healing on the Sabbath was forbidden unless someone was dying and this is why they became angry when Jesus healed on the Sabbath (See Matthew 12:9-14).

Walking was strictly limited to a Sabbath day’s journey which was arbitrarily defined as about 3/4 of a mile.

Carrying objects beyond a certain distance prescribed by the Pharisees was forbidden on the Sabbath.

People were not allowed to knead dough or bake anything on the Sabbath.

They were not allowed to tie or loosen knots on the Sabbath, such as an animals harness or one's sandals.

They forbid spitting on the ground on the Sabbath, claiming that his was equivalent to plowing the soil.

They forbid swatting a fly in your home because they considered it to be hunting.

Women were not allowed to look in a mirror on the Sabbath as they might spot a gray hair and remove it, which was equivalent to doing work.

People could not drag a chair on a dirt floor because it might create a furrow which was like plowing a field.

There were literally thousands of such man made rules that carried harsh penalties for violators.

Thus, Jesus rebuked scribes and Pharisees for following man made traditions and imposing harsh penalties, while they themselves did not feel bound to keep them.

Romans 2:17-23  Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18  And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19  And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20  An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21  Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23  Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 

The apostle Paul was a Pharisee of the strictest order. 

He was taught by the respected rabbi named Gamaliel.

As such, Paul was well acquainted with the traditions of men and harsh penalties imposed on those who were caught disobeying them.

Paul had strong, Holy Spirit guided words that echo the rebuke of Jesus to scribes and Pharisees.

They were confident that they knew the true meaning of scripture as embodied in their traditions and they rigorously sought to enforce them.

They did teach the law of Moses to others, but then did not observe or practice what they preached.

Some preached against adultery while committing that same sin.

Some preached against stealing while they stole property from poor and oppressed people.

Matthew 23:5-7  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 

Pharisees and scribes did all the "religious" things that they did in order that other men might see them and praise them for being so religious.

We will look at what the phylacteries were in our next post, but it is clear that Pharisees and scribes crave sitting in high places of honor at feasts and in synagogues.

They coveted hearing people greet them as "Rabbi" in the marketplace.

Jesus cut to the heart of Judaism's great flaw.

This false religion was all about having the appropriate religious externals.

Judaism did not address the need for repentant faith and conversion to Christ, in order to receive a new heart and a new spirit from God.

Pharisees and scribes cared only how they looked, how they dressed, or how and when they prayed in public. 

They only cared about having a horn sound when they gave tithes, or how they looked miserable when they fasted.

Jesus already addressed some of the sins of Judaism in Matthew 6.

Matthew 6:1-2  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 

Matthew 6:5  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 

Matthew 6:16  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 

He rebuked those men who cared only to maintain the appearance of being religious, and who loved the praise of men instead of praise from God. 

Jesus rebuked them for teaching the law but failing to live by what the law commanded.

Jesus rebuked them for enforcing man made rules instead of helping people draw closer to God.

John 5:44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 

Jesus asked an important question.

If you live like a Pharisee or scribe, seeking only the praise of God, how can you believe on Christ with repentant faith?

If your religion is focused only on the externals, how will you see your need to be born again?

Micah 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 

God has shown us from His Word what is good and acceptable in His sight.

He has shown us what He requires:

To walk justly or upright before Him by repentant faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

To love the mercy He extends to each person who repents of sin and calls upon the LORD for salvation.

To learn from His Word how to be humble before God and walk with Him each day.

Pharisees and scribes did not see any need to be converted.

They believed their works made them right with God, but scripture says those who are justified before God walk by faith.

I pray that we ask our Lord to teach us from His Word how to draw closer to Him each day.

I pray that we examine our lives for any hypocrisy and if we find it, to confess the sin and receive the cleansing God promises to give (See 1 John 1:7-9).

I pray that we learn to walk in newness of life with Christ each moment of each day.

Let us ask the indwelling Spirit of God to help us with His mighty help.

Bob