The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 23 Part 5 First Of Eight "Woes" Upon Scribes & Pharisees: The Woe Of Shutting Up Entrance To God's Kingdom!

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Matthew 23:13  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. 

Jesus pronounced seven "Woes" upon the scribes and Pharisees and we need to understand what this word means, in order to rightly grasp what Jesus said.

The Greek word translated "Woe" literally means "Alas" or "Woe" but this is not a very helpful definition.

Normally, we would look at equivalent Hebrew words translated "Woe" but these have the same meaning as the Greek word.

However, the Cambridge Dictionary and Webster's Dictionary define "Woe" as referring to people who are going to suffer severe troubles, followed by having extreme sadness, immense grief and regrets.

Vine's Expository Dictionary states that a "Woe" is a strong denunciation from God upon the wicked.

Thus, the word "Woe" is directed by Jesus at His most harsh and rebellious opponents.

When spoken by Jesus, this word refers to God's future judgment upon scribes and Pharisees for having unbelieving hearts and Christ rejecting spirits.

Pronouncing God's judgment upon the wicked is how this word was most often used by the Old Testament prophets and this is how Jesus used the word "Woe."

Isaiah 5:18-19  Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 19  That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! 

Isaiah was guided by God's Spirit to use the word "Woe" six times in a chapter where God addresses wicked sinners.

This example describes a depraved culture preoccupied with cords of vanity, or wicked imaginations.

They hunger and thirst for sin like a normal person longs for a good meal and a cool drink of water.

They pull their sins and lusts along behind them like a farmer hauling his  wagon filled fresh produce to market.

The idea is that the wicked revel in their sins and take delight in transgressing God's moral law.

Wicked sinners try to induce other people to join in to commit wicked acts. 

They flagrantly display a hearty appetite for sin.

Romans 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

Paul used fourteen verses to describe cultural depravity in the time of the apostles, and his words describe our modern, corrupt culture.

This text summarizes the attitudes of depraved sinners and connects well with what Isaiah is communicating.

They know about God's judgment for sin but they mock Him. 

They know the vile sins they commit makes them worthy of death but they do not care.

Instead of repentance and faith in Christ, these sinners keep on sinning and find pleasure in getting others to commit sin with them.

Isaiah tells us that because punishment for their sins as prophesied by God's prophets was not speedily executed, wicked ones did not believe God had the power to execute His judgment.

They said in their wicked hearts, "Let God's wrath draw near, that we may know it" because they believed God could not punish them.

Isaiah 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 

This text stands with a strong correlation to Romans 1:18-32.

Our culture has been calling evil what God says is good and this has been going on for many decades.

In the place of God's pure and good moral standards, we find the flags of Satan's depravity and wickedness raised up.

Though there is often pleasure in sin for a short while, all sin has consequences in this life and with regard to eternal life (See Hebrews 11:25).

Thus, the Devil has replaced the sweetness of God's promise of eternal life and all spiritual blessings in Christ, with the bitter reality of outer darkness and eternal condemnation in the flames of Hell.

Isaiah 5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 

Men's imaginations and thoughts, minds and souls have all been corrupted by sin.

Wise men make rules and laws and impose them on those who are powerless, as if God does not care about sin and transgression.

As a result, much of our culture functions as if God does not exist.

Though they act as if God does not exist, death will teach them a harsh lesson. 

God does exist, He does hold all people accountable for sin and He will permanently punish the wicked.

Sinners expend their energy thinking how to violate God's commands by destroying other nations, plundering their resources and enriching themselves as the enslave the vanquished.

God takes notice of those who are innocent, oppressed and downtrodden by the wealthy and powerful.

Isaiah 5:22-23  Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23  Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 

Next, Isaiah was guided to pronounce a "Woe" upon those who think they are strong and who pollute their bodies with foreign substances like drugs or alcohol.

They justify their sins by following the example of other depraved sinners.

They deny righteous and equitable treatment for the people of God and seek to diminish them each day.

Isaiah 5:24-25  Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 25  Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 

Isaiah tells us what the "Woe" of Jehovah will look like when He sends it.

There will be fire and stubble, as flames rapidly burn worthless chaff, so shall the wicked be consumed for our God is a "consuming fire" (See Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; Hebrews 12:29).

Their root is rotten to the core and their offspring shall end up as worthless dust.

God will send fire and flame to consume the wicked,

He has a righteous indignation against sin and His anger is kindled against evil doers.

He will smite them thoroughly until His perfect justice is satisfied.

The prophet's use of the word "Woe" shows us how Jesus used the same word.

Matthew 23:13  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.

There are eight "Woes" pronounced by Jesus against the scribes and Pharisees and these are set in opposition to the beatitudes Jesus taught in Matthew 5.

Scribes and Pharisees were under judgment because they "shut up the kingdom of heaven" by their traditions of men. 

Jesus said the self righteous scribes and Pharisees were not going into the kingdom of God so they hindered others from entering in by repentant faith in Christ.

Matthew 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The first beatitude Jesus gave was an invitation for all the poor in spirit, the oppressed, the ones who had contrite spirits and humble hearts, to receive the kingdom of heaven.

Scribes and Pharisees were "hypocrites" which is a Greek word used in connection with theater productions. 

It refers to an actor playing a part by holding up a mask to show his character to the audience.

This is what Jesus meant when He said scribes and Pharisees did all their works to be seen of men, just as an actor wants to be seen in character by his or her audience.

This is why Jesus said do what they command that comes from God's Word, but not to follow their example, because they did not abide by God's Word.

A mask hides an actors true identity from the people and the mask worn by scribes and Pharisees is self righteousness.

This is why scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites. 

They prayed publicly for people to notice, or fasted with disfigured faces so people noticed, or had a horn sound when putting in an offering, so people noticed.

Matthew 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

They were playing the part of highly religious men but their hearts were far from God.

Jesus condemned them for shutting up or obstructing the entrance to God's kingdom.

Scribes and Pharisees did all they could to keep people from believing in Christ, and entering into His kingdom. 

Christ came to open the kingdom of heaven and to bring many men, women and children to be subjects of that kingdom.

Pharisees were too proud to stoop to repentant faith in Jesus Christ. 

They did not want to deny themselves and take up their own cross to follow Jesus. 

They wanted to worship God in their own, non scriptural methods instead of worshipping Him in Spirit and in truth.

Repentance is the door of admission into Christ's kingdom, and nothing could be more detestable to the Pharisees, who justified themselves.

What does this "Woe" teach us about God and His kingdom?

It reinforces the truth that we must enter His kingdom through repentance for our sins and faith in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins.

It reminds us that we must examine our lives for any evidence of hypocrisy and if we find any, to confess the sin and seek cleansing and forgiveness that God promises to give.

It reminds us of the importance that what we say we believe aligns with what we say and do.

This was the great error of scribes and Pharisees. They had an outward appearance of religion but their hearts were corrupt and depraved.

Does my life or your life help people enter Christ's kingdom, or does it hinder them from coming to faith in Christ?

May the Spirit of God help us grasp the importance of living our lives in harmony with the gospel of Christ.

May He use us to reach others for Christ's kingdom.

Bob