Matthew 23:1–12

A Warning Against Hypocrisy

23:1–7pp—Mk 12:38,39; Lk 20:45,46 23:37–39pp—Lk 13:34,35

23Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ²“The teachers of the law^o and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³So 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. ⁴They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.^p

⁵“Everything they do is done for people to see:^q They make their phylacteries^ar wide and the tassels on their garments^s long; ⁶they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;^{t 7}they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.^u

⁸“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father,^v and he is in heaven. ¹⁰Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹The greatest among you will be your servant.^{w 12}For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.^x