Bible Commentary

[Ye] fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? The temple that sanctifieth the gold – To sanctify is to make holy. The gold had no holiness but what it derived from the temple. If in any other place, it would be no more holy than any … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:17”

Woe unto you, [ye] 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! 16. the gold of the temple ] i. e. the offerings made to the Temple, called “Corban,” or “devoted;” the use of that word … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:16”

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 15. compass ] “go about,” “traverse.” The word is used of our Lord’s “circuits” in Galilee, ch. Mat 4:23; Mat 9:35. proselyte … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:15”

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 14. ye devour widows’ houses ] i. e. “consume their substance,” by illegal exaction or by working upon their religious feelings; a common form of rapacity. The Vatican and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:14”

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. 13. ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men ] In allusion to the symbolic “key of knowledge” given to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:13”

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Verse 12. Whosoever shall exalt himself, c.] The way to arrive at the highest degree of dignity, in the sight of God, is by being willing to become the servant of all. Nothing is more hateful in his … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:12”

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 11. Cp. ch. Mat 20:26-27. Seven woes denounced against the Scribes and Pharisees. 13 36. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges See the notes at Mat 20:26. He that shall humble himself … – God will exalt or honor him that is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:11”

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ. 10. masters ] Rather, leaders, guides, it is not the same word as in Mat 23:8. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Neither be ye called masters – That is, leaders, guides, for this is the literal meaning of the word. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:10”

And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. And call no man your Father … – This does not, of course, forbid us to apply the term to our real father. Religion requires all proper honor to be shown to Him, Exo 20:12; Mat 15:4; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:9”

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. 8. be not ye called Rabbi ] The emphasis is on “ye,” which is expressed in the Greek. Ye as Scribes of the Kingdom of Heaven must not be as the Jewish Scribes. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 23:8”