BIBLE IN TEN

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  Matthew 23:23

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites! Because you tithe the mint, and the dill, and the cummin, and you left the ‘weightier, the law’: the judgment, and the mercy, and the faith. These, also, it necessitated to do – those, not leave!” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus finished up His fourth woe to the scribes and Pharisees. He now moves right to the fifth, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites!” He uses the same opening formula as the first two woes, noting their hypocrisy. He then begins to define it, saying, “Because you tithe.”

Here is a new word, apodekatoo, to give, pay, or take a tithe. It is derived from apo, away or from, and dekatoo, a tithe. The tithe was a mandate of the law of Moses. Like taxes today, tithes were mandated as a part of the society to keep various aspects of the society functioning and to keep the needy from abject poverty.

Greater levies were imposed on the people by kings or by foreign powers, but the tithe of Israel was mandated in the law with specific targeted purposes that were explicitly stated. Jesus singles out certain tithes made by these men, saying, “the mint, and the dill, and the cummin.”

Three new words are seen here. The first is héduosmon, mint. It is derived from hédeós, sweetly, and osmé, fragrance. The two together form a word picture describing mint. The next is anéthon, dill or anise, closely related botanicals. The word is found only here in the Bible.

Next is kuminon, cummin. It is etymologically equivalent to kammon, cummin, found three times in Isaiah 28. The Greek word is found only here in the New Testament. These men did the minimum required by the law, as it says in Leviticus 27:30, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.”

They were doing what was mandatory and which could be verified by set measurement. But Jesus continues, “and you left the ‘weightier, the law’.”

Another new word is seen: the adjective barus, weighty. Figuratively, it signifies being burdensome or grave. It is derived from the noun baros, weight. There is the sense of the inability to move freely. Jesus’ point is that they did the easy stuff, but neglected that which required true effort.

In other words, the tithe was something that was set and important, but it did not carry the same weight as other precepts mandated in the law. Jesus next notes what those weightier matters are, saying, “the judgment, and the mercy, and the faith.” The words appear to be a loose citation of Micah 6:8 –

“He caused to declare to you, man, what ‘good’.

The final Greek word Jesus uses, pistin, signifies faith or faithfulness based on the context. If Jesus is referring to Micah, faith matches the “causing to efface.” One will only purposefully humble himself before God if he has faith that God cares about those things. Faith looks upward to God as the object of trust. Faithfulness looks outward through actions, obedience, and duty.

Both are understandable, but in Micah, the person being spoken to is being instructed on faith first and foremost. With this stated, Jesus finishes with, “These, also, it necessitated to do – those, not leave!”

The meaning is that the weightier matters (these) were expected, even if they were burdensome. The other matters (those) were always expected to be accomplished as well, even if they were lesser mandates.

Life application: Jesus informed these leaders of Israel that tithing was expected. Does this mean that tithing is required even now? No. The law is fulfilled. Tithing was mandated under the law. The instance of Abraham giving a tenth to Melchizedek is descriptive. It prescribes nothing. Jacob’s promise to give a tenth to the Lord is descriptive. It prescribes nothing.

These cannot be used as examples that must be followed (the made-up and unsupportable doctrine called “the law of first-mention”). Giving within the church is defined by Paul’s words found in 2 Corinthians 9:6, 7 –

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Tithing is a mandate, not a cheerful decision. To understand the full scope of the tithes of Israel and how the mandate is inappropriately abused within the church, refer to the Superior Word sermons on the subject, the main one of which is found in Deuteronomy 14:22-29, entitled The Tithes of Israel. 

Lord God, may we always walk humbly with You, glorifying You with our lives, actions, and interactions. Remind us of Your presence so that You are always at the forefront of our thoughts. Be glorified in and through us always. Amen.

And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it. Matthew 23:22

“And the ‘having sworn in the heaven’, he swears in the ‘throne, the God’ and in the ‘sitting atop it’.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus told the people that he who swears by the temple swears by it and all that is atop it. He next says, “And the ‘having sworn in the heaven’.”

The incorrect thinking of the scribes and Pharisees continues to be highlighted. They might say, “If you swear by heaven, it doesn’t matter. Only if you swear by God in heaven is your vow binding.” Jesus refutes this, saying, “he swears in the ‘throne, the God’ and in the ‘sitting atop it’.”

As heaven is where the throne of God is, it implies that there is a God. You can’t have one without the other. As heaven is where God’s throne is located, then by default both God and His throne are included in the equation.

The law has already instructed in Deuteronomy 6:13 that when an oath is made, it is to be made in the name of the Lord God. This leaves no provision for any other source to affirm an oath. Thus, the fact that this debate even arose shows the incorrect thinking of these men. Jesus laid out in Matthew 5 what should be done concerning such oaths –

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:33-37

This doesn’t mean that if a person is challenged to swear an oath in the name of the Lord, that he must refrain from doing so. Rather, swearing an oath in His name is the only allowable way to confirm an oath.

Inanimate objects cannot read the mind or judge a matter. To swear an oath on an inanimate object implies there is some power in it to do such things, thus confirming what has been sworn. Only God can do this. This is why the Bible is so specific on this matter.

Life application: Jesus has taken the most basic oaths that people were making, such as swearing on the gold on the altar as opposed to swearing on the altar, and He has shown that God is ultimately involved in all things.

He is the Creator of the materials, and He is the Sanctifier of the altar by which the articles on it are sanctified. Nothing exists apart from Him. To remove God from the equation elevates a lesser thing to the position of God. This should never be. When speaking to others, we should do so with words that are honest and binding.

If we are compelled to swear, such as during official testimony, our adjuration should only be made in the name of God. Anything else is idolatry and cannot be condoned. If we need to invoke the name of God to ensure what we are saying is reliable, we need to make sure that what is said is accurate. Paul does this in Philippians 1:8 –

“For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.”

Let us always take care that the name of God is exalted in our speech. And, at times, it may be necessary to define who our God is. People of other faiths follow false gods. We shouldn’t let them think we are dealing with the same God when we speak. Use thought and care when making your utterances concerning such things, and you will do well.

Lord God, thank You for Your word that instructs us on matters that are important as we interact with You and with others. Help us to always speak and conduct our lives in accord with Your will as is expressed in Your word. Be with us in this, O God. Amen.

He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. Matthew 23:21

“And the ‘having sworn in the temple’, he swears in it and in the ‘dwelling, it’.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus said that he who swears by the altar swears by everything on it. He next says, “And the ‘having sworn in the temple’.”

Jesus elevates the matter of sanctification from the altar to the temple. The altar is a part of the temple. The scope of the sanctification of the altar is that which touches it. The scope of the temple was a place of holiness. Different places within the temple allowed only certain people to enter.

Solomon’s temple had an inner court for the priests and an outer court for the people of Israel to gather. In Herod’s temple, there were these, but added in were the court of the Gentiles and the court of the women.

Gentiles could go so far within the complex. The people of Israel could go so far and no further. The priests, depending on their situation (being clean or unclean, etc.), could minister up to a certain area, or they may be restricted from ministering.

From there, the high priest alone could enter the Most Holy Place. But he was restricted to entering once a year on the day of atonement. And he could not enter without the blood of a sacrifice for sin. This is because it was the dwelling place of the Lord within the temple.

Because the Lord’s presence was there, Jesus says that anyone who swore in (meaning by) the temple, “he swears in it and in the ‘dwelling, it’.”

It is the Lord who sanctified the temple. His presence there meant that swearing by the temple meant that the utterance included swearing by the Lord who dwelt in the temple. As such, any such oath had to be considered binding. Jesus carefully schools the religious leaders of Israel on things they were apparently unable to think through properly.

Life application: In Matthew 5, using the same word translated as “swear” here, Jesus said –

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

Jesus is not telling the people in Matthew 23 to swear. He is telling them what it means when they do swear by something. His audience was the people of Israel. In Leviticus 26, the Lord said –

“I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you.

If the Lord dwelled among the people, then logically, anything they said would need to be considered as binding. Hence, His instructions were that swearing was unnecessary. The words the people uttered were to be truthful, as if each thing they said was a sacred utterance.

Paul cites Leviticus 26 in 2 Corinthians 6:16 –

“And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

As this is so, our words should be as honest as those expected of the people of Israel, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 5. When we speak, it should be with the understanding that our relationship with God is being evaluated by the truthfulness of our words.

It should be wholly unnecessary for a believer to swear as an attempt to confirm his words. What he or she says should hold up to scrutiny apart from such things. This does not mean that Christians are not to swear when asked to do so, such as confirming one’s words on a legal document or in a court of law.

Those things are externally required. The swearing Jesus and the apostles refer to is the confirmation of the truthfulness of one’s words, as if a swear should be needed to ensure what they say can be trusted. This should be unnecessary.

Lord God, help us always to be truthful in the things we say. May our promises to others be considered as binding, and may we diligently go about fulfilling what our mouths have spoken. May our actions never bring dishonor on Your glorious name. Amen.

Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. Matthew 23:20

“The ‘therefore having sworn in the altar’, he swears in it and in all those atop it.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus asked the question as to which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift. The answer is obvious. The altar is greater. Jesus next says, “The ‘therefore having sworn in the altar’.”

This refers to the person, identified as “who” in the first clause of verse 18 –

“And who, if he should swear ‘in the altar’, nothing, it is. Who, also, if he should swear ‘in the gift’, the ‘atop it’, he is obligated.”

When such a person swears in the altar, Jesus says, “he swears in it and in all those atop it.” It cannot be that swearing on what is atop the altar is a binding vow while swearing on the altar itself is nothing. The things atop the altar have been sanctified, but it is by the altar that it is so.

The scribes and Pharisees assumed that something other than the altar, maybe the act of giving or some other deed affixed to the process, is what sanctified the gift. This shows a naivete about the precept of the law, a misunderstanding about the source of holiness, and an abuse of the sanctification process.

To further solidify this concept, Jesus will continue to explain how the process of sanctification comes about.

Life application: In Isaiah 65, the Lord explains the type of people Jesus is speaking to right now. The infractions stated may not match the actions of the scribes and Pharisees, but the attitude is what is to be focused on –

“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me;

Israel, being led by people like the scribes and Pharisees, had a faulty idea about holiness and sanctification. They thought they were holy because of who they are, not because of the One who selected them to be His people. The thinking is, “We must be holy because God selected us.”

Rather, the Lord told them repeatedly right in the law that they were to be holy because He is holy. Their holiness was only obtainable by doing what the Lord instructed them to do. And the doing was to be more than a tedious, rote thing. Their mindset, and thus their conduct, was to be conscious of the Lord and His presence at all times.

That is reflected in the precept noted in Chapter 22 about loving the Lord God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength. Israel, having the idea of sanctification completely backward, failed to do this. Hence, Paul cites Isaiah 65 in Romans 10.

Those outside of Israel who come to God through the gospel do so because they understand that they are not holy. They hear of God’s righteousness through the gospel and its imputation, and they reach out for it. Israel’s attitude, which continues to this day, is, “We don’t need Jesus to be holy. God selected us, demonstrating that we are holy.”

One who feels he is already holy before God will naturally reject the gospel because Jesus, through the gospel, essentially calls out, “You need to be holy. I can make you holy. Come to me.” The response is, “I don’t need that. I am already a member of God’s holy people. I’m good, but thanks anyway.”

In understanding that they are currently Lo Ammi, Not My People, Israel can deduce that they need something external to make them holy. The tribulation will draw this out of them. When it happens, a change will take place. They will finally get it.

Until then, they are a hard bunch to evangelize.  Some understand the gospel, but for the most part, it is an offensive suggestion to them that they need holiness imputed to them. Keep Israel, the nation, in prayer that their eyes will be opened.

O God, in Jeremiah, it says, “The Lord, Our Righteousness.” Indeed, there is nothing righteous in man apart from You. May we cling to the cross of Christ, understanding the magnitude of what it signifies in our lives. Thank You for the cross of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Matthew 23:19

“Moronics and blind! Which, indeed – greater: the gift or the altar the ‘hallowing the gift’?” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus recalled the unsound teaching of the scribes and Pharisees who said that swearing by the altar, it is nothing, but swearing by the gift on it obliged the person to perform their vow. Jesus next says, “Moronics and blind!”

Jesus’ words indicate that it is as if they were brain-dead blind people. If they were walking toward a chasm, they would continue and tumble over the side. In a spiritual sense, that is exactly what was coming. Because of their teaching, Jesus reminds them of a truth found directly in Scripture, asking, “Which, indeed – greater: the gift or the altar the ‘hallowing the gift’?”

The answer is found in Exodus 29 –

“Seven days you will ‘cover’ upon the altar, and you will consecrate את it. And it will be, the altar, ‘sacred, sacreds’. All the ‘touching’ in the altar, it will be sacred.” Exodus 29:37

It is the altar that sanctifies what touches it. A gift may be of silver, gold, etc. But there are idols made of those things. There are coins made of metals. The substance of the gift comes from the ground and has no intrinsic holiness. But when it is placed upon the altar, it becomes sacred.

Ultimately, it is the Lord who sanctified the sanctuary where the altar was. Thus, through their ridiculous teaching, they not only dishonored what is taught in the law concerning the altar and what touches it, but more to the point, they dishonored the Lord who sanctified the altar in His sanctuary. For example –

“The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” Ezekiel 37:28

Israel was in an unclean state among the nations. In their return, they will have a sanctuary authorized by the Lord. That sanctuary will be sanctified because of the Lord. In turn, the people who were previously unclean will be sanctified by the sanctuary which is sanctified by the Lord.

An altar in a pagan temple sanctifies nothing. The altar in Israel was not sacred unless the Lord sanctified it. Once the altar is sanctified, that which touches it becomes sacred. Everything leads back to the Source.

Life application: The Jewish culture has a phrase used during marriage rites that says, “Blessed are You, Lord, Who sanctifies His people Israel through chupah and kiddushin.” The meaning is “through the marriage canopy and sanctification/betrothal.”

The claim is that because they do these things, the Lord sanctifies His people. But if they are not obedient to the law they agreed to, how can they be sanctified? They remain unclean before the Lord. This is the state they have been in since they rejected Jesus, followed by the destruction of the temple.

They have lived among the Gentiles, in a state of being rejected, just as the law proclaimed would happen. They have been regathered to the land of Israel and are being prepared for entry into the New Covenant, but they are not there yet.

The society in general accepts many things contrary to sound morality. For example, the marriage ceremony that claims they are sanctified through it has been adapted (queered) to accommodate same-sex relationships.

Just as in conservative vs. liberal churches, there are branches of Judaism that reject this while others accept it. But this reveals how people claim sanctification without any justification. Churches that ordain women, for example, do so contrary to the clear words of Scripture. And yet, they claim they are led by the Holy Spirit.

But the Spirit cannot condone what He has already determined is unacceptable. Holiness and sanctification must stem from the Lord. As the word is given by the Lord, a state of holiness can only exist when one lives in accord with the word.

To some extent, we all fail in this, and that is where grace is needed, but a direct refusal to adhere to Scripture can never be considered acceptable. Be careful to not get caught up in fancy words that have no substance behind them. The word of the Lord is the substance we are to use to guide our lives and actions. Endeavor to learn and apply this precious word to your lives.

Lord God, may we think clearly and soberly about what Your word says, applying it to our lives in the proper context. May we revere Your word as sacred because it comes from You, the Sanctifier of Your word and of Your people. Amen.

And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ Matthew 23:18

“And who, if he should swear ‘in the altar’, nothing, it is. Who, also, if he should swear ‘in the gift’, the ‘atop it’, he is obligated.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Moronics and blind! Which, indeed, greater, it is, the gold or the temple, the ‘having hallowed the gold’?” He next turns to more illogical thinking on their part, repeating what they say, “And who, if he should swear ‘in the altar’, nothing, it is.”

The doctrine of the scribes and Pharisees taught that when someone swore by the altar of the temple, the vow could be released, as if it were unimportant. This is the same as their unholy attitude in verse 16 concerning the temple. Jesus continues, citing their illogical thinking, saying, “Who, also, if he should swear ‘in the gift’, the ‘atop it’, he is obligated.”

The altar is the brazen altar first described in Exodus 27:1-8 for use in the tabernacle. The altar, in every detail, pointed to the sacrificial role of Christ. Later, the altar for the temple is described in 2 Chronicles 4:1 –

“Moreover he made a bronze altar: twenty cubits was its length, twenty cubits its width, and ten cubits its height.”

This altar was large and impressive. The “gift” upon the altar refers to the animal sacrifices brought forth by the people. The acceptable sacrifices are detailed in the law. Each of them also anticipates the work of Christ, including as He fellowships with His people.

Jesus will again show them the illogical nature of their doctrine.

Life application: As noted above, Jesus is the fulfillment of the offerings and sacrifices detailed in the law. An example of this is found in Ephesians 5 –

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1, 2

The “sweet-smelling aroma” comes from the terminology found in law. A similar phrase is found repeatedly there. One example is the sin offering for the people when they sin –

“If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty, 28 or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. 29 And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering. 30 Then the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour all the remaining blood at the base of the altar. 31 He shall remove all its fat, as fat is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma to the Lord. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.” Leviticus 4:27-31

What may seem like a tedious read when you get to Leviticus and all of its sacrificial detail is actually a presentation of the work of Christ. Everything about these verses points to Him and His work. To show the supremacy of Christ’s single sacrifice over the repeated sacrifices of the temple, the author of Hebrews says –

For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

As you can see, the Bible is taking us on a journey, anticipating Christ while moving mankind from law to grace. Why anyone would want to step back from God’s grace in Christ and return to a system that could never take away sin is hard to understand. Be grateful to God for what He has done in Christ. Accept His grace, and trust in Him in all your days. In this, God will be pleased with you.

Lord God, help us to hold fast to Your grace as it is revealed in the giving of Your Son. Thank You that Jesus has done it all. Now, all we need to do is believe that. Help us to cling to the gospel, never marring it by trying to add to it. Amen.

Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?  Matthew 23:17

“Moronics and blind! Which, indeed, greater, it is, the gold or the temple, the ‘having hallowed the gold’?” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus scolded the scribes and Pharisees, calling them blind guides because of their illogical thinking concerning swearing an oath. He now continues that, saying, “Moronics and blind!”

The adjective móros, moronic, has been seen a couple of times already. It signifies one who is dull or stupid. Strong calls them blockheads because they are absurd and foolish. HELPS Word Studies says they are mentally inert, lacking a grip on reality because they are acting as though brainless.

It fits well here. These blockheads had not thought through their doctrine at all. These were supposed to be the religious elite of the nation representing the Lord to the world, and they couldn’t even figure out something so basic as what Jesus will next question, which is, “Which, indeed, greater, it is, the gold or the temple?”

The question is as basic as asking what it is about being president that makes a person more worthy of honor and respect. There have been good presidents, and there have been terrible presidents.

In the past twenty years, there have been some very disgraceful men who have become president. In and of themselves, they are not worthy of any respect at all. It would be contemptuous to hire them as janitors because they would disgrace the noble duty of being a janitor. And yet, somehow, they weaseled into the highest position in the land.

Because they did, they were given the respect of the office. After leaving office, they are supposed to continue to be granted the title and the respect. But what is it that makes it so? Jesus asks, is it the gold or the temple, “the ‘having hallowed the gold’?”

The answer is obvious. The temple is what hallows the gold in the temple. Therefore, the temple is greater than the gold in the temple. Gold is just gold. People may wear it on a ring, or they may plug a cavity in their tooth with gold. Wastewater treatment plants use gold in instruments to verify various measurements (be sure to not throw the old instrument away without getting out that gold!), and so forth.

Such gold is common because the use of the gold is common. However, when the gold is in the temple, it is hallowed because the temple is the Lord’s sacred dwelling place. The office of president deserves respect because the US Constitution, which provides the framework for the establishment and running of the nation, sets forth the office of president as worthy of honor and respect.

The scribes and Pharisees are rightly termed blockheads or moronics because they didn’t think through something so simple. Jesus says woe to them for such idiocy.

Life application: In the US military, enlisted personnel are required to salute officers, and they are to initiate the salute. The officer is then required to return the salute to the enlisted member. The officer has been commissioned and is entitled to the respect of the office. However, the officer is not absolved from returning respect to his fellow soldier. The order is what proves the propriety.

Within the officer ranks, the lower-ranking officer initiates the salute to the higher rank. The salute is to be returned by the higher-ranking officer. This is a standard that is set forth, and it is considered inviolable. When a staff car carrying a high-ranking officer passes by, those of lesser rank must salute that car. To fail to do so can get you in hot water.

Despite these and other set standards that are to be carefully followed in regard to saluting, there is one standard that is set apart and above all others. Regardless of rank or position, a person who has won the Medal of Honor, regardless of rank is to be saluted first, even by the highest-ranking officers. Why is this?

The answer lies in what the medal signifies. It has been set apart as the highest award for military bravery due to the extraordinary valor represented by the medal. This can be the case even if the recipient is otherwise not a great person in some way or another. That doesn’t matter. Just as there are many officers who are not so great in one way or another, the position is what demands the respect.

And most Medal of Honor recipients will openly admit that they wear the medal not because they feel they have earned it, but because those around them who paid great sacrifices, even giving their lives in the service of their country, are reflected in the medal. They understand that no man is an island and that what they earned was because they were a part of something greater than they are.

As this is so with those in the US military, how much more should it be so for those who are in Christ. There are many people in the church who we may not like very much, but they should be treated with respect because they have been sanctified by the Lord. It can be a tough calling when dealing with some people, but it is appropriate.

Let us remember this and treat others, especially those of the faith, with respect: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10

Lord God, may You be exalted in our thoughts, actions, and words at all times. Thank You for having set us apart as sacred through the precious blood of Christ. May we act in a manner worthy of this position and treat others in Christ with respect. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ Matthew 23:16

“Woe to you, ‘conductors, blind’! Those saying, ‘Who, if he should swear ‘in the temple’, nothing, it is. Who, also, if he should swear ‘in the gold, the temple’, he is obligated.’” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus gave a third woe to the scribes and Pharisees concerning their gaining converts. He now moves to a fourth woe, saying, “Woe to you, ‘conductors, blind’!”

This is just the second time the hodégos, conductor, is seen. It is a person who conducts another, like a guide. The problem is, if they are blind, they will only cause disaster to those they are conducting. The intent is that they are leading people with false doctrine.

If they don’t even know what they are talking about, the people they are conducting will be led to faulty thinking and faulty conclusions as well. Jesus next openly states their false teaching, saying, “Those saying, ‘Who, if he should swear ‘in the temple’, nothing, it is.’”

The meaning of “in the temple” is “in the name of the temple,” or “by the temple.” The intent of the words is plain on the surface. People were in the habit of making oaths. To strengthen the surety of the oath, an object would be affixed to it. People do this today, such as “I swear on my mother’s grave.”

These blind conductors said that it didn’t matter if they swore by the temple. People say things not really meaning it, and such a vow could be ignored. However, they made another claim that put a burden on the people which could not be ignored, saying, “Who, also, if he should swear ‘in the gold, the temple’, he is obligated.”

What the gold of the temple refers to is debated. Some say it is a reference to the items of gold in the temple which are fashioned for sacred use or the gold of the temple kept in the treasury. Others say this refers to the offerings made to the temple, elsewhere noted as corban. If the latter, it would mean that the term “gold” was being applied to whatever was offered as corban, even if it wasn’t actual gold.

The latter seems to stretch the intent. Rather, in the Bible, there is precedent for considering the gold objects holy. This is found in the handling of them by the priests, and the mishandling of them by others. For example, in Daniel 5, we read –

“And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them.” Daniel 5:23

Belshazzar had defiled the sacred vessels of the temple. It would cost him dearly. As for these scribes and Pharisees, they taught that when a vow was made in the name of the gold of the temple, the vow was sacred and had to be kept. As such, they have elevated the lesser to the position of greater importance. Jesus will challenge and chide them on this before moving on to another pronouncement of woe.

Life application: False teaching, whether intentional or unintentional, is wrongdoing. In the case of these scribes and Pharisees, they had so mangled the intent of vows that their thinking was completely unbiblical. In Numbers 30, clear wording was given concerning vows –

“If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:2

There is nothing about adding an object to the vow to firm it up. Rather, when a person said he was going to do something in an oath, he was to do it. Jesus clarifies this elsewhere concerning the need for absolute reliability of the content in the words we speak. For now, He is making a point about the illogical nature of their claims concerning vows.

By stating what they are stating, they are teaching falsely. The motive behind their teaching aside, they err because their words are unsound and will lead those they teach to erroneous belief in how to interact with God. As noted above, it doesn’t matter if this was intentional or unintentional. Either way, they sinned through their bad doctrine.

In the church today, it is no different. Teachers will be held accountable for their improper doctrine. James sums up the thought, saying –

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” James 3:1

If the teacher is a saved believer, he is not imputed with sin (2 Corinthians 5:19). However, he will lose rewards for his false doctrines when he is judged at the Bema Seat of Christ. If he is not a saved believer, his false doctrine is imputed to him as sin. Thus, his condemnation will be greater.

There can be no excuse for improper teaching of God’s word. If you intend to teach a Bible class, be sure to study properly, ensuring what you teach will be in accord with the word. In all things, do what you do to the glory of God.

Lord God, help us to rightly understand Your word. And when we talk to others about it, may we properly instruct them on what is correct. May we never intentionally misuse Your word, but may we not unintentionally mishandle it as well. Help us to have right and proper doctrine as we instruct others on the truth contained in Your precious word. Amen.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. Matthew 23:15

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you traverse the sea and the arid to make one proselyte, and when he might become, you make him ‘son, Gehenna’ two-fold yourselves.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus pronounced a second woe on the scribes and Pharisees because they devoured widows’ houses and made a pretense of long prayers. He explained to them that they would receive superabundant judgment. He next pronounces a third woe on them, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”

The repetition of the same words forms a pointed stress, calling attention to their misdeeds before God. With that stated, He next says, “For you traverse the sea and the arid to make one proselyte.”

A new word is seen, prosélutos, one who arrives from a foreign religion. Strong says it is from the alternate of proserchomai, to approach. Thus, he approaches the new faith and becomes a worshipper of God in the manner prescribed by his teachers.

The idea of “traversing the sea and the arid” is “going to any length” to secure converts. They made a great deal of effort to gain new adherents to their faith. One can think of the Jehovah’s Witnesses actively going out and striving to share their misguided faith. The same applies to the Mormons, who render a two-year service wherever they are told to go, including foreign lands.

The Pharisees would go to these great lengths to have a single convert they could boast in. It wasn’t that they had new adherents who were saved and pleasing to God that they cared about. Rather, it was that they had done the work to secure the person’s allegiance, as if they were a pin in the hat to revel in. Paul’s words to the Galatians reveal this same type of attitude among the Judaizers –

“As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.” Galatians 6:12, 13

As for the proselytes of the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus says, “and when he might become, you make him ‘son, Gehenna’ two-fold yourselves.”

Another new word is seen, diplous, two-fold or double. It is from dis, twice, and possibly the base of pleion, more in quantity or number. Jesus is saying that these adherents to the new faith would have been better off had they not come to the new faith at all. The same superabundant condemnation that Jesus referred to in the previous verse was set to come upon their new adherents.

Life application: Jesus’ words are spoken to the scribes and Pharisees, but they can be equated to some degree to any religion apart from true Christianity. We can think of someone growing up in a nominal Christian home. He never really believed anything, but he went to church and had an idea of what the preacher was talking about.

However, he meets a Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness, imam, shaman, Buddhist priest, Jewish rabbi, or whatever. He becomes enamored with their charisma, zeal, doctrine, or whatever, and he converts to that faith. He has now completely left behind the only possibility of being saved, having rejected the appeals of the pastor he grew up under.

What a sad situation this is. Humanity is lost in a sea of works. Wherever you look, these people are saying you must do something to be pleasing to God or to achieve the release from this world that the teacher claims.

Go through all of these religious expressions. Find out what they teach. When you do, you will see that it always comes back to what one must do to earn the promise. Only true Christianity breaks this mold. It says God reached out to us, doing everything necessary to save us. All we need to “do” is to receive it as a gift through belief.

Wherever you go, remember the lesson of the gospel. You are not a part of the equation, except to believe. If you are told anything else, it is not the gospel. Trust Jesus, have faith that what He did is sufficient to save you, and be grateful to God for His kindness toward you. In this, you will do well. Heaven’s doors will be thrown open to receive you, all because of what Jesus did. What a wonderful God, what a tender, kind, and perfect Savior!

Lord God, how grateful we are for the simplicity of the gospel. We thank You for what You have done for us. Be glorified in us as we set aside all our efforts and trust solely in the merits of Christ for our reconciliation with You. And then, may we be pleasing to You with lives dedicated to You all our days. Amen.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Matthew 23:14

“Woe, also, to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour the ‘houses, the widows’, and pretense – lengthy praying. Through this, you will receive superabundant judgment.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that they were hypocrites who shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. They don’t go in, and they don’t allow those entering to go in. Next comes a second woe from Jesus, saying, “Woe, also, to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”

Depending on the source text, the words contain the de, also, in either verse 23:13 or 23:14. Some texts omit verse 14 altogether. Therefore, some new translations don’t include it either. It makes sense that it would read “Woe to you” in verse 13 and then “Woe, also, to you” in verse 14, but others will argue it is the other way around. Either way, Jesus continues, saying, “For you devour the ‘houses, the widows’.”

Barnes gives sound commentary on this clause –

“The word ‘houses’ is used here to denote ‘property’ or possessions of any kind. You take away or get possession of the property of widows by improper arts and pretences. This was done in two ways:

Jesus continues, saying, “and pretense – lengthy praying.” A new word is seen here, prophasis, an outward showing. It is derived from pro, fore or in front of, and phaino, to lighten or shine. One gets the sense of these men standing in the public and radiating their religiosity outward for everyone to see.

Lengthy prayers spoken aloud have always been a call to direct attention to the one praying, as if he is worthy of note for his ability to pray and his pious nature reflected in the substance of his prayer.

The specific reference may be to the Amidah, a collection of 18 short blessings (later 19) that formed the heart of daily Jewish worship. The Pharisees and the Men of the Great Assembly helped institute the core text and the practice of reciting it daily. Faithful Jews recited these blessings standing up, multiple times a day. After the Temple was destroyed in AD 70, Jewish religious leaders formalized the exact wording used in synagogues today.

In such a situation, these are just rote prayers that have no personal connection between the one praying and God who is being prayed to. This is no different than people standing in church and reciting the same code or creed week after week.

It is true that by doing this, what is said becomes ingrained in the mind of those saying it, but without reflection on what is said, the words have no more significance than prepping for a test at school. As for the ill treatment of widows and the lengthy prayers that are a mere pretense of holiness, Jesus says, “Through this, you will receive superabundant judgment.”

God is not pleased with con artists. Nor is He pleased with self-righteous showoffs. The scribes and Pharisees were both. Because of their self-centered, greedy-hearted, and outwardly boastful conduct, they could expect a heavy hand of judgment.

Life application: We have the words of Jesus recorded in the Bible. And yet, nothing has changed in the attitudes and conduct of people. The Jews still act in the same way in their synagogues, and Christian churches are flooded with people who look at their positions as an opportunity to enrich themselves while appearing as holy and respectable men of God.

Most televangelists are shameless opportunists who take advantage of whatever gift they possess, be it oration, charisma, confidence, emotional intensity, perceived authority, storytelling ability, stage presence, or any combination of such things.

None of these qualities is inherently bad. When from a pure heart, they can serve truth very effectively. However, the danger arises when the attractiveness of the messenger begins to substitute for careful evaluation of the message, or when emotional attachment makes accountability seem unnecessary.

This is especially true when the heart of the person is directed toward personal gain from money, sex, control, etc. Unfortunately, because the ministry is a place where people go to find cures to the woes of life, many people are already in a position where their defenses are weak.

How easy it is for those who prey on others to do so with people facing the straits of life. The scribes and Pharisees were champions at this. Nothing has changed in the hearts of many to this day.

Lord God, help us from getting misdirected from a pure and personal relationship with You. Keep us from those whose intent is to draw attention to themselves, even if their appearance seems to be directed toward You. They were there during Jesus’ ministry, and they still fill the world today. Keep us from such people by giving us the wisdom to see through their guises. Amen.