Matthew 23:1-3
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Jesus begins this discourse not just by speaking to his disciples, but also to the crowds. This shows his concern isn't only for those who follow him closely, but also for the broader community being misled by the religious leaders. He’s about to expose the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, and he wants everyone to hear it, not just his inner circle.
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished a series of intense confrontations with religious leaders in the Temple, exposing their hypocrisy and challenging their authority. Now, turning from his adversaries, he addresses both the general crowds and his own disciples, preparing to deliver a significant teaching. This marks the beginning of his final public discourse before his passion, directly confronting the corrupt leadership of Israel.
Right before launching into some of the most direct rebukes in Scripture, Jesus makes a subtle but significant shift. Who is he speaking to, and why does it matter?
Matthew 23:1 marks a turning point in Jesus' public ministry. He's been confronting the religious leaders, but now, he turns to address a broader group:
A Wider Circle
This shift isn't just about changing the channel; it's about ensuring the truth is heard by those who need to act on it, not just those who are teaching it (often wrongly). It’s a moment of focused preparation before a profound confrontation.
Jesus tells people to obey the scribes and Pharisees because they 'sit in Moses' seat.' What does this mean, and why is it so crucial that we distinguish between the office and the person?
Jesus draws a critical distinction between the authority of the office and the of the person holding it.
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Moses' Seat Explained:
He's essentially saying, 'Listen to what they say because it comes from the Law of Moses, but don't imitate what they do because their lives don't reflect that Law.' It's a profound reminder that we must discern between God's truth and human fallibility.
Jesus doesn't just point out the flaws of the religious leaders; he exposes the consequences of their hypocrisy. What were the 'heavy burdens,' and how did their actions contradict their words?
Jesus lays bare the damaging impact of religious hypocrisy, particularly on the people they were meant to serve.
The Contrast:
Jesus' message here is a powerful call for authenticity and a warning against the spiritual tyranny that arises when leaders prioritize their own status over the well-being of those they lead.
Understand the original words
grammateus · Greek Noun
Professional interpreters and teachers of the Mosaic Law; they were tasked with copying, studying, and explaining the Scriptures to the people.
Pharisaios · Greek Noun
A Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the "traditions of the elders." They emphasized ritual purity and separation from those considered non-observant.
kathedra Mōyseōs · Greek Noun phrase
A symbolic position of authority representing the legitimate teaching office of the Law given through Moses. To "sit on Moses' seat" signifies the authority to interpret and declare the Law's requirements.
This discourse marks the culmination of Jesus' public teaching and His final confrontation with the religious authorities before His passion. It highlights the deep divide between His message of humility and service, and the hypocrisy and self-serving ambition of the scribes and Pharisees.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
During this period, Jesus taught, healed, and performed miracles, challenging the religious establishment.
c. AD 30
Jesus Enters the Temple
Jesus powerfully cleansed the Temple, asserting His authority and confronting the chief priests and elders.
c. AD 30
Confrontations and Parables
Jesus engaged in intense debates with religious leaders, answering their challenging questions and delivering parables that exposed their hypocrisy.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Final Public Discourse
Jesus delivered His final public teachings, addressing the crowds and His disciples, and issuing strong warnings and condemnations against the scribes and Pharisees.
c. AD 30
Jesus Predicts Temple Destruction
Following His discourse, Jesus prophesied the future destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, a significant event for His listeners.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Shortly after His public ministry, Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified.
This passage directly echoes Jesus' critique of the scribes and Pharisees, highlighting how they 'load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.' It reinforces the idea that their teachings were often impractical and hypocritical.
Matthew 15:9Jesus quotes Isaiah here, stating, 'in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' This connects to the idea that while the scribes and Pharisees occupied Moses' seat, their own traditions and interpretations often overshadowed or contradicted God's actual commands, rendering their teaching void.
Romans 2:17-24Paul addresses the hypocrisy of those who rely on the Law but do not keep it, stating, 'You...boast in God and...know his will and...approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; yet you...steal.' This passage parallels Jesus' condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees for their outward adherence to the Law while inwardly being corrupt.
Matthew 7:28-29After the Sermon on the Mount, the crowds were astonished because Jesus 'taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.' This highlights the contrast between Jesus' authoritative teaching and the style of the scribes, who were perceived as merely expounding existing traditions.
Malachi 2:7-9This Old Testament passage speaks of priests who have corrupted the covenant and are despised. It foreshadows the corruption within the religious leadership that Jesus confronts, emphasizing the responsibility of those who hold positions of spiritual authority and the consequences of their failure.
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 discourse not just by speaking to his disciples, but also to the crowds. This shows his concern isn't only for those who follow him closely, but also for the broader community being misled by the religious leaders. He’s about to expose the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, and he wants everyone to hear it, not just his inner circle.
Jesus has just finished a series of intense confrontations with religious leaders in the Temple, exposing their hypocrisy and challenging their authority. Now, turning from his adversaries, he addresses both the general crowds and his own disciples, preparing to deliver a significant teaching. This marks the beginning of his final public discourse before his passion, directly confronting the corrupt leadership of Israel.
Jesus has just finished a series of intense confrontations with religious leaders in the Temple, exposing their hypocrisy and challenging their authority. Now, turning from his adversaries, he addresses both the general crowds and his own disciples, preparing to deliver a significant teaching. This marks the beginning of his final public discourse before his passion, directly confronting the corrupt leadership of Israel.
"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice." — Jesus begins this discourse not just by speaking to his disciples, but also to the crowds. This shows his concern isn't only for those who follow him closely, but also for the broader community b…
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Last reviewed October 2026
