Matthew 23:1–12

Jesus Disapproves of the Example Set by the Jewish Leaders—Mark 12:37b–40; Luke 20:45–47

¹Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ²“The experts in Moses’ Teachings and the Pharisees teach with Moses’ authority. ³So be careful to do everything they tell you. But don’t follow their example, because they don’t practice what they preach. ⁴They make loads that are hard to carry and lay them on the shoulders of the people. However, they are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 

⁵“They do everything to attract people’s attention. They make their headbands large and the tassels on their shawls long. ⁶They love the place of honor at dinners and the front seats in synagogues. ⁷They love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have people call them Rabbi. ⁸But don’t make others call you Rabbi, because you have only one teacher, and you are all followers. ⁹And don’t call anyone on earth your father, because you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰Don’t make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah. ¹¹The person who is greatest among you will be your servant. ¹²Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored.