Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus begins this chapter by speaking not only to His disciples but also to the larger crowds. This inclusion of the general populace is significant because it shows Jesus isn't just correcting His inner circle, but publicly addressing the people who were being misled by their spiritual leaders.
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished a series of intense confrontations with the religious leaders in the Temple, exposing their hypocrisy and silencing their attempts to trap Him. Now, He turns to address both the crowds and His own disciples, preparing to deliver His most scathing critique of the scribes and Pharisees. This public denunciation marks the end of His public teaching and serves as a final, urgent warning before His passion.
Jesus often spoke to huge crowds, but something changes here. Why does He now specifically address 'the multitude' AND 'his disciples'?
Matthew 23:1 marks a significant shift in Jesus's ministry. He has been engaged in public debates and confrontations within the Temple precincts. Now, as He prepares to leave the Temple for the last time, He addresses a broader audience – the general public ('the multitude') alongside His closest followers ('his disciples').
Jesus tells people to obey the scribes and Pharisees, even though He calls them hypocrites! How can this be?
This is one of the most challenging parts of Jesus's teaching in this chapter. He distinguishes between the office and the person holding it:
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Jesus points out the scribes and Pharisees making their religious symbols larger and seeking prominent positions. What's so wrong with that?
Jesus exposes the heart of the scribes and Pharisees: their religiosity was for show, not for genuine devotion.
This discourse occurs during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, a period of intense conflict with the religious authorities. His public teaching at this point is a direct challenge to the hypocrisy and false authority of the scribes and Pharisees, aiming to correct the people's understanding of true righteousness.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphally
Jesus rides into Jerusalem, hailed by crowds. This marks the beginning of His final week before crucifixion and intensifies His public confrontation with religious leaders.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus cleanses the Temple
Jesus drives out merchants and money-changers from the Temple courts, asserting His authority and challenging the corrupt practices of the religious establishment.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' authority is challenged
Religious leaders confront Jesus in the Temple, demanding to know by what authority He acts. Jesus answers with a counter-question about John the Baptist's authority.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus teaches in the Temple
Jesus engages in debates and teaches crowds and His disciples within the Temple. He pronounces woes on the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus predicts the Temple's destruction
Jesus foretells the complete destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, lamenting the city's rejection of Him.
c. AD 30
Jesus is crucified
Following His arrest and trial, Jesus is crucified. This event is the culmination of the conflict with the religious leaders.
This passage echoes Jesus' criticism of the scribes and Pharisees for burdening people with laws while not upholding them themselves, highlighting the hypocrisy Jesus addresses.
Matthew 23:3-7These verses immediately follow and elaborate on the introduction, specifying the 'saying and not doing' and the love for status that characterize the hypocrisy Jesus condemns.
Matthew 15:3-9This passage demonstrates Jesus challenging the Pharisees' traditions that override God's commands, showing a consistent theme of critiquing religious leaders who disregard true righteousness for outward show.
Galatians 6:13This verse speaks to the outward-focused religious practices of those who seek approval from others rather than from God, mirroring the 'doing all their works to be seen by men' described in Matthew 23.
bensonMatthew 23:1: "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,"
Matthew 23:1-3 . Then spake Jesus to the multitude — Leaving all converse with his adversaries; whom he now gave up to the hardness of their hearts. The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’s seat — Or, chair — That is, read and expound the law of Moses, and are the appointed teachers of the people. The Jewish doctors, as is well known, always taught sitting. The name Pharisees being the appellation of a sect, it cannot be s…
calvinMatthew 23:1-12: "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,"
- Then Jesus spoke to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2. Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses. 3. Observe and do, therefore, all things whatever they command you to observe; but do not according to their works; for they say and do not. 4. For they bind heavy and intolerable burdens, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they refuse to touch them with their finger. 5. And they do all their…
Jesus begins this chapter by speaking not only to His disciples but also to the larger crowds. This inclusion of the general populace is significant because it shows Jesus isn't just correcting His inner circle, but publicly addressing the people who were being misled by their spiritual leaders.
Jesus has just finished a series of intense confrontations with the religious leaders in the Temple, exposing their hypocrisy and silencing their attempts to trap Him. Now, He turns to address both the crowds and His own disciples, preparing to deliver His most scathing critique of the scribes and Pharisees. This public denunciation marks the end of His public teaching and serves as a final, urgent warning before His passion.
Jesus has just finished a series of intense confrontations with the religious leaders in the Temple, exposing their hypocrisy and silencing their attempts to trap Him. Now, He turns to address both the crowds and His own disciples, preparing to deliver His most scathing critique of the scribes and Pharisees. This public denunciation marks the end of His public teaching and serves as a final, urgent warning before His passion.
"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples," — Jesus begins this chapter by speaking not only to His disciples but also to the larger crowds. This inclusion of the general populace is significant because it shows Jesus isn't just correcting His i…
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Last reviewed October 2026