23:2 scribes See note on Matt 2:4.

Pharisees See note on John 1:24.

seat of Moses Refers to the tradition and authority of Moses. The Pharisees believed that they alone interpreted the words of Moses properly.

23:3 do and observe everything that they tell you Jesus instructs the crowds and disciples to follow the Pharisees’ teaching on the law (compare Matt 16:12 and note).

23:4 they tie up heavy burdens Refers to the traditions of the elders, not the law itself (see 15:2 and note). This contrasts with the light, easy burden of Jesus (11:30). Jesus’ teachings are not easy, but obeying them leads to life, not bondage.

23:5 in order to be seen by people Compare 6:1–18.

phylacteries Likely refers to small boxes containing Scripture passages that Jews wore on their foreheads or arms. The scribes and Pharisees apparently enlarged these boxes to make them more visible (see Exod 13:9; Deut 6:8; 11:18).

make their tassels long Refers to tassels on outer garments or prayer shawls (see Num 15:37–39; Deut 22:12). Tassels reminded people to obey the commandments; the more visible the tassel, the more devout one appeared.

23:6 the best seats in the synagogues Probably refers to seats in the front—the Pharisees and scribes may have sat facing the congregation to increase their visibility.

23:8 you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ In contrast to the Pharisees. Jesus commands this to avoid the pride and prestige that accompany titles.

23:9 not call anyone your father on earth The honorary term “father” was commonly used for teachers (e.g., Acts 22:1).

23:11 the greatest among you will be your servant Compare Matt 20:26.

23:12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled Compare 18:4.

23:13 woe A prophetic indictment for behavior that will lead to disaster (e.g., Isa 5:8; Hab 2:6; Zech 11:17; compare Matt 11:21).

you shut the kingdom of heaven They prevent others from entering the kingdom because of their false and burdensome teaching about the law.

23:15 twice as much a son of hell An exaggerated expression that highlights the destructive nature of the teaching of the scribes (teachers of the law) and Pharisees. Compare note on 5:22.

23:16 blind guides See 15:14 and note.

Whoever swears by the temple Refers to trivial distinctions about what made an oath binding. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His followers to avoid swearing oaths (5:33–37).

23:23 neglect the more important matters of the law Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for paying meticulous attention to tiny details while disregarding the law’s true heart. Compare Isa 1:17; Jer 22:3; Zech 7:9–10; Mic 6:8; Hab 2:4.

23:25 full of greed and self-indulgence Although they maintain an outward appearance of purity, they are inwardly filthy.

23:26 First clean the inside of the cup True external purity (righteous behavior) can be accomplished only after a person is cleansed internally (matters of the heart).

23:27 whitewashed tombs Jews would paint their tombs white so that other Jews would not become unclean through inadvertent contact with a corpse (compare Num 19:16; Luke 11:44). Whitewashed tombs were especially common during the Jewish festivals, when many travelers visited Jerusalem.

23:29 you build the tombs of the prophets Jesus denounces the scribes (teachers of the law) and Pharisees for honoring the graves of prophets whom their ancestors killed.

23:32 fill up the measure of your fathers By instructing them to finish their fathers’ murderous deeds, Jesus alludes to the scribes’ (teachers of the law) and Pharisees’ role in His impending death.

23:33 Offspring of vipers See note on Matt 3:7.

condemnation to hell Based on their current actions, the scribes (teachers of the law) and the Pharisees are on their way to experiencing God’s judgment and wrath. Jesus’ rhetorical language warns the Pharisees of the inevitability of their judgment unless they change course. See note on 5:22; note on 5:30.

23:35 the blood of righteous Abel The first person to be killed in the Bible (Gen 4:8, 10).

Zechariah son of Barachiah Jesus’ statement about Abel and Zechariah likely is intended as a merism, a figure of speech that uses the ends of a range to indicate the whole (e.g., “from head to toe” refers to the entire body). Jesus appears to be saying that the scribes and Pharisees are responsible for all the unjust deaths of righteous people in the Hebrew Bible. By extension, Jesus may be holding the Pharisees responsible for the death of any righteous servant of God among His people.

23:36 all these things will come upon this generation In light of Jesus’ remarks in 23:37–24:2, this may allude to the destruction of Jerusalem in ad 70.

23:37 who kills the prophets See vv. 29–36.

gathers her young together under her wings Compare Psa 17:8; 36:7; Isa 31:5.

23:38 your house has been left to you desolate See Matt 23:36 and note.

23:39 until you say, ‘Blessed is the one Refers to Jesus’ second coming.