Matthew 23:3 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees (2024)

Audio Crossref Comment Greek

Verse (Click for Chapter)

New International Version
So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.New Living Translation
So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.English Standard Version
so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.Berean Standard Bible
So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.Berean Literal Bible
therefore keep and observe all things whatsoever they might tell you. But do not do according to their works, for they preach and do not act.King James Bible
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.New King James Version
Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.New American Standard Bible
Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.NASB 1995
therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.NASB 1977
therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them.Legacy Standard Bible
therefore all that they tell you, do and keep, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.Amplified Bible
so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.Christian Standard Bible
Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach.Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach.American Standard Version
all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.Contemporary English Version
So obey everything they teach you, but don't do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else. English Revised Version
all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.GOD'S WORD® Translation
So be careful to do everything they tell you. But don't follow their example, because they don't practice what they preach.Good News Translation
So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don't practice what they preach. International Standard Version
So do whatever they tell you and follow it, but stop doing what they do, because they don't do what they say. Majority Standard Bible
So observe and practice everything they tell you to observe. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.NET Bible
Therefore pay attention to what they tell you and do it. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach.New Heart English Bible
All which they will say unto you, observe and do; but their works do not do, because they say, and do not do.Webster's Bible Translation
All therefore, whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but do not ye according to their works: for they say, and do not.Weymouth New Testament
Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves.World English Bible
All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
all, then, as much as they may say to you to observe, observe and do, but according to their works do not do, for they say, and do not do;Berean Literal Bible
therefore keep and observe all things whatsoever they might tell you. But do not do according to their works, for they preach and do not act.Young's Literal Translation
all, then, as much as they may say to you to observe, observe and do, but according to their works do not, for they say, and do not;Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore all whatever they say to you to keep, keep and do; and according to their works do not, for they say and do not.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not. Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, all things whatsoever that they shall say to you, observe and do. Yet truly, do not choose to act according to their works. For they say, but they do not do.New American Bible
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.New Revised Standard Version
therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Therefore whatever they tell you to obey, obey and do it, but do not do according to their works; for they say and do not.Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Everything therefore that they will tell you to observe, observe and do, but you should not do according to their works, for they are saying, and they are not doing.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
therefore, all things that they command you to observe, observe and do. But do not according to their works: for they command, and do not.Godbey New Testament

therefore do and keep all things so many as they may speak to you, but do not according to their works; for they say, and do not.Haweis New Testament
all things therefore which they prescribe for you to observe, observe and practise; but do not according to their works, for they say, yet do not practise.Mace New Testament
therefore whatever moral precepts they bid you observe, those observe and practise; but don't follow their example: for they preach one thing, and practise another.Weymouth New Testament
Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves.Worrell New Testament
All, therefore, whatsoever they bid you, do and observe; but do not according to their works; for they say and do not.Worsley New Testament
observe therefore and do all things whatsoever they tell you to observe; but do not ye according to their works, for they say and do not:Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Woes to Scribes and Pharisees
2“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.…

Cross References

James 1:22
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.Romans 2:21-23
you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? / You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? / You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?Luke 11:46
“Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied. “For you weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load.1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’Luke 6:46
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?Ezekiel 33:31-32
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.Malachi 2:7-8
For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. / But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts.Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”Jeremiah 23:11
“For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD.Titus 1:16
They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.Proverbs 21:3
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Treasury of Scripture

All therefore whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not.

whatsoever.

Matthew 15:2-9 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread…

Exodus 18:19,20,23 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: …

Deuteronomy 4:5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

for.

Matthew 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

Psalm 50:16-20 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? …

Romans 2:19-24 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, …

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Matthew 23

1. Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples
5. His disciples must beware of their ambition.
13. He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,
34. and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.

Berean Study Bible

So practice and observe
The phrase "practice and observe" in the original Greek is "ποιήσατε καὶ τηρεῖτε" (poiēsate kai tēreite). The word "ποιήσατε" (poiēsate) is an imperative form of "ποιέω" (poieō), meaning "to do" or "to make." This suggests an active engagement and commitment to the actions being instructed. "τηρεῖτε" (tēreite) comes from "τηρέω" (tēreō), meaning "to keep" or "to guard." This implies a careful and diligent adherence to the teachings. In a historical context, Jesus is addressing the crowds and His disciples, urging them to follow the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees insofar as they align with the Law of Moses. This highlights the importance of discernment and obedience to God's commandments, even when human leaders fail to embody them.

everything they tell you
The phrase "everything they tell you" underscores the comprehensive nature of the instruction. The Greek word "πάντα" (panta) means "all" or "everything," indicating that the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees, when rooted in the Law, are to be fully respected. Historically, the scribes and Pharisees were seen as authoritative interpreters of the Law, and Jesus acknowledges their role in conveying God's commandments. However, this also serves as a reminder that the authority of religious leaders is valid only when it aligns with divine truth.

but do not do what they do
Here, Jesus introduces a critical distinction between the teachings and the actions of the scribes and Pharisees. The Greek "μὴ ποιεῖτε" (mē poieite) translates to "do not do," emphasizing a clear prohibition against mimicking their behavior. This phrase highlights the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who fail to live according to the very laws they teach. From a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a warning against hypocrisy and the importance of integrity in one's faith journey.

for they do not practice what they preach
The concluding phrase, "for they do not practice what they preach," is a powerful indictment of the religious leaders' hypocrisy. The Greek "λέγουσιν καὶ οὐ ποιοῦσιν" (legousin kai ou poiousin) translates to "they say and do not do." This highlights the disconnect between their words and actions. In a scriptural context, this serves as a call for authenticity and consistency in the life of a believer. It underscores the principle that true righteousness is not merely about external compliance but about an inward transformation that aligns one's actions with one's professed beliefs. This teaching encourages believers to embody the principles of their faith genuinely and to be wary of leaders who fail to do so.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) All therefore whatsoever . . .--Followed, as the words are, by repeated protests against special and grave errors in the teaching of the Pharisees, it is obvious that they must be received with an implied limitation. So far as they really sit in Moses' seat, and set forth his teaching--as, e.g., the scribe had done whose answer has been just recorded--they were to be followed with all obedience. That which was wanting was the life, without which even the highest maxims of morality became but the common-places of rhetorical declamation. It was one thing to "draw fine pictures of virtue," and another to bring thought and word and deed into conformity with them.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - All therefore. It is because of their official authority as appointed teachers and expositors of the Law that Christ gives the following injunction. That observe and do. Many manuscripts and versions invert the order of the verbs, reading, do and observe. The received text seems most logical. Observe; τηρεῖτε, present imperative, continue to observe as a rule of conduct. Do; ποιήσατε, aorist, do immediately, whenever the occasion arises. All that they taught or commanded out of the Law, or in due accordance therewith, was to be observed and obeyed. The statement is made in general terms, but was conditional and restricted by other considerations. It was only their official injunctions, derived immediately from Scripture, not their glosses, evasions, and interpretations, that were to be regarded with respect. The Lord had already taken occasion to warn against these errors (see Matthew 16:6, 11, 12, etc.). As inheritors of the authority of Moses, and speaking ex cathedra, they were so far worthy of respect. This principle laid down, Christ proceeds to denounce their evil practices. After their works. You must distinguish between their preaching and their practice; the latter is to be shunned with all care. The scribes are never accused of corrupting the sacred text, which, indeed, was scrupulously guarded, and kept pure and unaltered. It was their treatment of the doctrines thereof that was censured. Our Lord shows their evil example in two particulars - their principle was "words, not deeds" (ver. 4), and ostentation in religion (vers. 5-7). They say, and do not. They enunciated the Law, they enjoined obedience to it in the minutest particulars, and yet they themselves continually, in the most important points (ver. 23), infringed, neglected, evaded it. St. Paul, himself a strict Pharisee, denounces in stern language such inconsistent professors (Romans 2:21-23). Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

practice
ποιήσατε (poiēsate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

observe
τηρεῖτε (tēreite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5083: From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.

everything
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

they tell
εἴπωσιν (eipōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

you.
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

{do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

do
ποιεῖτε (poieite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

what
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

they
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

do,
ἔργα (erga)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

they do not practice
ποιοῦσιν (poiousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

what
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they preach.
λέγουσιν (legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

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Matthew 23:3 Catholic BibleNT Gospels: Matthew 23:3 All things therefore whatever they tell you (Matt. Mat Mt)

Matthew 23:3 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees (2024)
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