Matthew 23:3 kjv
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Matthew 23:3 nkjv
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.
Matthew 23:3 niv
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.
Matthew 23:3 esv
so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
Matthew 23:3 nlt
So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach.
Matthew 23 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mat 7:21 | "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the..." | Deeds, not just words, define true discipleship. |
| Mat 7:24 | "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who..." | Emphasis on doing the word. |
| Luke 6:46 | "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" | Questioning profession without practice. |
| Rom 2:21-23 | "...you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should..." | Hypocrisy in teaching others but not living it. |
| Jas 1:22 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." | Warning against merely hearing God's word. |
| Jas 2:18 | "...'Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.'" | Faith without works is dead. |
| 1 John 3:18 | "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." | True love demonstrated through action. |
| Deut 17:10-11 | "According to the sentence of the law in which they instruct you, according to the judgment which they..." | Old Covenant obedience to those teaching the Law. |
| Heb 13:7 | "Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you; consider the outcome of..." | Consider leaders' conduct and the fruit of their faith. |
| Heb 13:17 | "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who..." | Obey spiritual leaders who faithfully watch over souls. |
| Titus 1:16 | "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified..." | Denying God by works, despite profession. |
| Psa 15:4 | "In whose eyes a vile person is despised; But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his..." | Righteous living as a prerequisite for dwelling with God. |
| Isa 29:13 | "Therefore the Lord said: 'Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their..." | Worship by lips, not heart; empty rituals. |
| Mark 7:6-7 | "He answered and said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:..." | Referring to Isaiah's prophecy against hypocrisy. |
| Mat 15:8 | "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far..." | Parallel to Mark 7:6-7, hypocrisy. |
| Mat 6:1-18 | Warning against hypocrisy in giving, praying, and fasting to be seen by men. | Examples of hypocritical religious practice. |
| 1 Pet 5:2-3 | "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly..." | Leaders called to be examples, not domineering. |
| Phil 3:17-19 | "...note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have often told..." | Follow good examples; beware of those whose conduct is earthly. |
| Psa 119:101 | "I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word." | Desire to obey God's word by abstaining from evil works. |
| Jer 7:4 | "Do not trust in these lying words, saying, ‘The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple..." | Warning against trusting external religious identity over internal change. |
| Eze 33:31-32 | "So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but..." | Hearing without doing, loving performance not truth. |
| Col 2:20-23 | Critiquing legalistic rules that lack power against fleshly indulgence. | Religious externalism without inner transformation. |
Matthew 23 verses
Matthew 23 3 Meaning
Matthew 23:3 encapsulates a core principle of discernment regarding spiritual authority and personal conduct. Jesus acknowledges the teaching authority of the scribes and Pharisees, who metaphorically sit in "Moses' seat," meaning they are the appointed custodians and interpreters of God's Law for the people. Therefore, what they teach that aligns with the Mosaic Law should be obeyed and practiced. However, Jesus immediately issues a strong caution: do not imitate their actions or way of life, because their practice directly contradicts their words; they preach righteousness but do not live it out, revealing their hypocrisy. The verse establishes the vital distinction between sound doctrine and flawed example, urging followers to adhere to truth regardless of the messenger's personal failings, while vehemently rejecting any imitation of ungodly conduct.
Matthew 23 3 Context
Matthew 23 is a pivotal chapter, occurring during Jesus' final week before His crucifixion. It serves as Jesus' climactic denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, the religious and legalistic leaders of first-century Judaism, particularly in Jerusalem. His scathing critique is aimed at their hypocrisy, self-exaltation, legalistic burdens, and spiritual blindness. The previous verses (23:1-2) set the stage, acknowledging their traditional position of authority, metaphorically "Moses' seat," meaning they were recognized interpreters and teachers of the Law given through Moses. This verse (23:3) immediately follows, explaining the practical implication of their authority. The entire chapter is a direct and intense polemic, challenging the contemporary religious establishment's values and practices, emphasizing true righteousness as inward heart transformation and obedience rather than outward display and legalistic adherence. It contrasts genuine piety with a show of religiosity, highlighting the danger of religious leaders who preach truth but fail to live by it, misleading others.
Matthew 23 3 Word analysis
- Therefore (οὖν - oun): This conjunctive particle signifies a logical continuation or consequence from the previous statement (verse 2, acknowledging their teaching authority). It signals Jesus' concluding directive based on their position.
- Whatever (πάντα ὅσα - panta hosa): Literally "all things, as many as." This indicates a universal scope for their teaching when it aligns with the Law. It's not a blanket endorsement of every word, but rather of those teachings derived from Moses' Law which they were entrusted to interpret. It implies discretion by the hearers.
- they tell you (εἴπωσιν ὑμῖν - eipōsin hymin): Refers to the verbal instruction and pronouncements of the scribes and Pharisees, functioning as official teachers.
- to observe (τηρεῖν - tērein): To keep, guard, obey, or practice carefully. It signifies adherence to their teachings. The object here is implicitly "the Law of Moses," which they correctly taught.
- that observe and do (τηρεῖτε καὶ ποιεῖτε - tēreite kai poieite): The repetition of these verbs in the imperative mood underscores the urgency and necessity of obedience. Tēreite implies adherence to rules, poieite implies active performance or living out. This command emphasizes obedience to true doctrine.
- but (δὲ - de): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or turning point. Here, it marks the shift from accepting their teaching to rejecting their example.
- do not do (μὴ ποιῆτε - mē poiēte): A strong prohibition using mē plus the subjunctive, emphasizing an absolute command against imitation.
- according to their works (κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν - kata ta erga autōn): "Works" (ἔργα - erga) refers to their deeds, actions, or conduct. The phrase distinguishes their practice from their preaching. Jesus directly addresses the disconnect between their words and their lifestyle.
- for they say, and do not do (λέγουσιν γὰρ καὶ οὐ ποιοῦσιν - legousin gar kai ou poiousin): This is the ultimate indictment and the reason for the command in the first part of the verse. "Say" (legousin) refers to their public declarations and teaching, while "do not do" (ou poiousin) highlights their complete failure to apply their own words to their lives. This phrase perfectly encapsulates their hypocrisy.
Word-Groups/Phrases analysis:
- "Whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do": This phrase establishes the principle that right doctrine must be honored and obeyed, regardless of the source, if that source truly transmits God's revealed will. It emphasizes the content of the message, not the character of the messenger in this specific teaching role. Jesus is not endorsing all their interpretations but acknowledges their legitimate role in teaching the Torah.
- "But do not do according to their works": This directly prohibits imitation of the lifestyle of these leaders. It establishes a critical distinction between precept and practice, warning against emulating unrighteous behavior, even from those in positions of spiritual authority. This principle warns against leader-worship and blind emulation.
- "For they say, and do not do": This concise and powerful phrase serves as the biblical definition of hypocrisy. It highlights the profound disconnect between outward religious performance and inward spiritual reality. It is a polemic against outward show without inner transformation, a consistent theme throughout Jesus' teachings against the religious elite.
Matthew 23 3 Bonus section
The phrase "Moses' seat" (mentioned in verse 2) historically refers not to a literal chair, but a metaphor for the teaching authority associated with the Mosaic Law, much like a modern "professor's chair" or "judicial bench." Scribes and Pharisees, as expert interpreters and custodians of the Torah, occupied this "seat" of authority in the Jewish religious and legal system. Jesus acknowledges this recognized spiritual and social structure. His statement in verse 3, then, validates the institutional role they hold in transmitting and preserving the Law, yet severely condemns their failure to embody the very principles they teach. This highlights the crucial theological distinction that while God can use imperfect vessels to transmit His truth, the call to holy living remains paramount for those who teach. It implies a prophetic judgment on outward piety that lacks internal integrity, foreshadowing the complete unmasking of their character throughout the rest of Matthew 23. This also implies a personal responsibility on the part of the listener to discern the truth and to not use the flaws of the leader as an excuse for their own disobedience.
Matthew 23 3 Commentary
Matthew 23:3 delivers a profound principle for navigating spiritual authority and personal discipleship. Jesus, in His characteristic wisdom, validates the office and the accurate transmission of the Law by the scribes and Pharisees, emphasizing that the truth of God's Word should always be adhered to. This suggests that divine truth, when correctly taught, retains its authority irrespective of the messenger's personal holiness. However, this affirmation comes with an immediate and stern caveat: one must never replicate the ungodly actions or the hypocritical lifestyle of those teachers. The core message is clear: receive the instruction that aligns with God's commands, but vehemently reject the example that contradicts them. This calls for discerning followership – a careful evaluation of the message's content against the standard of divine truth, while also holding leaders accountable to live consistent lives, yet not allowing their inconsistency to invalidate the truth itself if properly taught. This verse serves as a timeless warning against hypocrisy within spiritual leadership and a timeless call for all believers to integrate their beliefs with their behavior.