Matthew 23:16-22 – “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.” NIV
Jesus has just finished the give and take between the Jewish religious leaders and himself in the Temple courts. In Matthew 23, Jesus goes on to tell his audience that “the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat.” I take this to mean that God has given them the responsibility and authority to teach people the Law. Jesus says in that case people need to obey what they say about the Law. However, He has some more commentary on their actions: “But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matt. 23:3-4 – NIV) “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Matt 23:13 – NIV) Continue reading →