Matthew 23:13-36
Here Christ lays out seven woes to the scribes and Pharisees. A woe was a strong condemnation. These are in direct contrast to the seven blessings that are descried in the Sermon on the Mount. Here they form what is called a “chiastic pattern.” Basically, this was a popular literary form in Greek and Hebrew writings. It literally means “to shape like the letter ‘X’.” This mean that two or more clauses are related to each other through a reversed structure to make a point. You can see the example below:
A: First woe (v.31): failing to recognize Jesus as the Messiah
B: Second woe (v.15): superficially zealous, yet doing more harm than good.
C: Third woe (vv.16-22): misguided use of the Scripture.
D: Fourth woe (vv. 23-24): fundamental failure to discern the thrust of Scripture.
C: Fifth woe (vv.25-26): misguided use of the Scripture
B: Sixth woe (vv.27-28): superficially zealous, yet doing more harm than good.
A: Seventh woe (vv.29-32): heirs of those who failed to recognize the prophets.
The month just before Passover, it was customary to whitewash with lime, grave or grave-sites that might no easily be seen. This was so that pilgrims would not unintentionally come in contact with them and become ritually unclean. They were not objects of beauty but of disgust. Christ probably referred to them as “beautiful” because of their elaborate structure. The Pharisees are preoccupied with avoiding ritual defilement. They had the appearance of being virtuous but they were actually contaminating the people with their hypocrisy and undue burdens. Once again they were more committed to the works of the law rather than the heart of the law.
Matthew 23:2-10
The scribes and Pharisees were primarily responsible for teaching. The Scribes were the professional interpretive experts on the Torah while the Pharisees were the theologians on issues from the Torah. The “Moses seat” was a stone seat at the from of the synagogues where authoritative teachers sat. To sit on the seat of a person of authority would indicate succession and transfer of authority. this is why it was forbidden for anyone to sin on the throne of a king other than the king himself. This meant that the “teachers of the law” were Moses’ legal successors. Jesus points out that while they had authority in what they taught, they did not practice their teachings.
The teachings of the Pharisees and Scribes were especially burdensome. It was impossible to live up to the dictates of their teachings and they provided no relief for those who feel short. Christ said that His yoke was easy and His burden light. He also promises to give rest. Christ is the only one qualified to sit in Moses’ seat succeeding him as the authoritative teacher of God’s will and mind. With that authority, He gives us a burden that we can successfully carry and teachings we can live up to.
Matthew 17:19-20
Earlier on, Jesus had given the disciples power to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. However, they were surprised by their failure to heal the epileptic boy. When they asked Jesus in private why they were not able to perform the miracle, He rebuked them for their lack of faith. The disciples were treating the authority given to them like a gift of magic to be used at their whim. They only way they could accomplish the miracles that Jesus described was through sincere faith and devoted prayer. It is only through this that nothing will be impossible for His disciples.
Matthew 16:8-12
the disciples had seen Jesus provide for 5,00 and 4,000 with just a few loaves and fish. Yet when they were faced with the same situation of not having any bread, they could only rely on their own means. Christ calls them “of little faith.” He had just rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for their demand of signs and their unbelief in spite of the miracles already performed. The disciples were close to repeating the same offense of unbelief. Christ’s miracles do not compel faith but rather those who have faith will realize their significance. They are expressions of God’s salvation and glory. Faith is essential to God’s miraculous workings.
Matthew 15:17-20
Christ again addresses the issue of works over intent of the heart. It was not the external rituals that made a person righteous. He uses an “earthy” illustration on how ingested food is excreted and has no bearing on our righteousness. Peter would learn this lesson again a few years later when he is told to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 10). What we take into our hearts is eventually spoken and reveals our true condition. Relying upon externals will get you nowhere as they all have the “appearance” of righteousness. It is our heart, the seat of our emotions and motivation, where our true character and righteousness is revealed.