Christian Art | Scribes And Pharisees | Jesus And Temple Judaism | King James Audio Bible
Matthew 23: 13-22 – Week 21 Ordinary Time, Monday (King James Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
13 ¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Today’s Gospel verses continue Jesus’ stinging critique of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Jesus condemns the Pharisees’ conduct, threatening them with punishment – ‘Woe unto you!’ – if they do not repent and mend their ways. Having over the centuries acquired a degree of power in Jerusalem, the Pharisees now abuse that power. Greedy for honour and recognition as they are, their show of great virtue is merely that, a show, while in essence they live in gross discordance with the truth of God.
The Pharisees’ crimes, as Jesus relates them, are grave indeed. Not only do they themselves refuse to enter into the Kingdom of heaven; they prevent others from finding the Kingdom. The Pharisees have shut their doors against Jesus, and they are intent on keeping others from acknowledging Christ. They choke the Word, true not to God but rather enslaved to the evil in their hearts. The Pharisees keep the people from being freed from sin. These are astonishing words of Jesus. We think of the hours each day the Pharisees devoted to prayer, to the effort to perfect themselves, and yet Jesus says they are blind; they have got it all twisted and wrong.
The Pharisees’ crimes extend to devouring widow’s pensions in return for a show of prayer. Additionally, they seek out proselytes, converts to Judaism, and when they have found one convert, who is looking for the light, they constrict him in their own narrow views and false practices. There is the crime of corrupting others.
Finally, in these verses, the Pharisees do not know the true value of those holy things by which oaths are – rightly or wrongly – taken. They say that it is nothing to swear by the altar, but when a person swears by the gift that is upon the altar, that oath is binding. This, Jesus says, is absurd. The Pharisees are blind to the source of such spiritual value the gold that is within the Temple has. They see the gold and cannot see God.
We have come a long way since the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, from the joy of the promise of a gateway to heaven to this dark opposite, a statement of evils the choke our spiritual capacity, occluding our relationship with God. God is love, yet here we find God’s precepts twisted in evil ways. Jesus strives in these verses to shock us out of our complacency. He speaks to the Pharisees and to the people of Jerusalem, and he speaks to us now.
Concluding Prayer
Father, Creator of all that is good,
you have called men to work in your world,
and by their co-operation to better the condition of mankind.
Grant that we may always work together as children of your family,
and love all men as our brethren.
Through Christ our Lord.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
What Were The Outward Shows Of Holiness Made By The Pharisees?
Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and their outward shows of holiness. Jesus accuses the Pharisees of neglecting the weightier matters of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faith, while focusing on the smaller details of the law, such as tithing and ritual purity.
The Pharisees were meticulous in their observance of the Sabbath, and would not even lift a finger to help someone in need on that day. They fasted twice a week, and would make a public display of their fasting by disfiguring their faces and wearing sackcloth. They also paid careful attention to the details of the law, such as tithing even the smallest herbs from their gardens.
However, Jesus saw through the Pharisees’ outward shows of holiness and recognized that their hearts were far from God. Jesus accused the Pharisees of being like whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside but full of dead bones and uncleanness on the inside. Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites, saying that they loved to be seen by men, and that they made their phylacteries and fringes long in order to be noticed.
The Pharisees were known for their distinctive appearance, which was designed to make them stand out as holy men. One of the most notable aspects of their appearance was the use of phylacteries, which were small leather boxes containing scripture verses that were worn on the forehead and arm during prayer. This practice was based on the commandment in Deuteronomy 6:8 to ‘bind [God’s words] for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes’. The phylacteries were meant to serve as a physical reminder of God’s presence and commandments, and to help the wearer focus on their prayers.
In addition to the phylacteries, the Pharisees also wore fringes or tassels on the corners of their garments, as commanded in Numbers 15:38-39. These fringes were meant to remind the wearer of the commandments and to help them avoid sin. However, the Pharisees were known for making their fringes longer than necessary in order to draw attention to themselves and demonstrate their piety.
According to the Jewish historian Josephus, the Pharisees were ‘distinguished from the rest of the people by their manner of living, and were considered the most accurate interpreters of the law’ (Antiquities Of The Jews, Book XVII, Chapter II). Top of FormBottom of Form
Through subsequent, Christian history, religious authorities from both the Catholic and Protestant traditions have commented on the issue of outward shows of holiness. Saint Augustine wrote about the danger of focusing too much on external piety at the expense of true faith:
‘What avails it to wear the robe of Christ, unless we live the life of Christ? What avails it to be called Christians, unless we do Christ’s works?…Let us not then deceive ourselves with vain hopes; for, as we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ (Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 33)
In the Protestant tradition, Martin Luther had strong words for those who put too much emphasis on outward shows of holiness:
‘For the righteousness of God is the righteousness of Christ, which he alone works in us, and which, therefore, we can never have of ourselves. He is the vine, and we are the branches; and we can only bear fruit by abiding in him.’ (Commentary On Galatians)
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, emphasized the importance of faith and works going hand in hand:
‘True faith will work by love; it will purify the heart, overcome the world, and make us holy in all manner of conversation.’ (Sermon On Faith And Good Works)
It is not for us to adapt Jesus to our lives; it is for us to conform our lives to Jesus. This is a lesson of these Gospel verses. Once we have heard the call of God through Jesus, there must be no umming and ahhing, no by now secondary considerations interfering in our new relationship with Jesus. Our life should now be his. As and when it is proper, all else will follow. If it isn’t appropriate, then it won’t [ … ]
Scripture: John 14:27 ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ In this verse, Jesus offers his peace to his disciples, a peace that is different from what the world provides. This divine peace is deep, abiding, and capable of calming troubled hearts and dispelling fear. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding and is rooted in the presence and promises of Christ. Prayer Dear Jesus, I come before you, seeking your peace in my life. The world around me is filled with chaos and uncertainty, but I know that your peace can calm the storm within my heart. Help me to trust in you more deeply, to rest in your promises, and to feel your presence in every moment. Fill me with your peace that surpasses all understanding, and help me to be a vessel of your peace to those around me. Amen. Personal Reflection What areas of your life are causing you anxiety or fear? How can you invite Jesus’ peace into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced Christ’s peace amidst turmoil. Meditation On Prayer And Gospel John 14:27 reveals a profound truth about the nature of Jesus’ peace. Unlike the fleeting and often superficial peace offered by the world, Jesus’ peace is enduring and deeply transformative. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is anchored in the character and promises of Christ. As we navigate through life’s challenges, it’s crucial to understand and embrace this divine peace. Jesus’ peace is rooted in his presence. When he says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,’ Jesus is assuring us of his continual presence. This peace is a gift that flows from his abiding presence in our lives. It is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we face. his presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest even in the midst of life’s storms. Furthermore, Jesus contrasts his peace with the peace that the world gives. The world’s peace is often conditional and temporary, based on circumstances that can change in an instant. In contrast, Jesus’ peace is steadfast and eternal. It is a peace that reassures us in our deepest fears and anxieties, reminding us that he is in control. This peace transcends our understanding, as it is grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of God. To experience Jesus’ peace, we must cultivate a relationship with him. This involves spending time in prayer, meditating on his word, and seeking his presence in our daily lives. It also means surrendering our worries and fears to Jesus, trusting that Jesus will provide and protect. As we draw closer to Jesus, his peace fills our hearts and minds, transforming our outlook and calming our spirits. One practical way to embrace Jesus’ peace is through prayer and meditation. By setting aside time each day to be still before the Lord, we create space for his peace to fill us. Reflecting on scriptures like John 14:27 can remind us of his promises and help us focus on his presence. Additionally, practicing gratitude can shift our focus from our worries to the many blessings in our lives, further opening our hearts to his peace. Another aspect of embracing Jesus’ peace is learning to let go of control. Often, our anxiety stems from a desire to control our circumstances. Jesus invites us to trust in his sovereign plan, even when we do not understand it. By surrendering our need for control and placing our trust in Him, we open ourselves to the peace that comes from knowing that He holds all things in his hands. Living in Jesus’ peace also means becoming peacemakers in our relationships and communities. As we experience his peace, we are called to extend that peace to others. This involves forgiving those who have wronged us, seeking reconciliation, and promoting harmony wherever we go. By being agents of his peace, we reflect his love and grace to a world in desperate need of his presence. Prayer Lord Jesus, Your peace is a precious gift that the world cannot give. In times of turmoil and distress, remind me to turn to you. Let your peace guard my heart and mind, dispelling all fear and anxiety. Teach me to trust in your unfailing love and to rest in your promises. Help me to be a peacemaker, sharing your peace with those around me. May your peace reign in my heart, my home, and my relationships. Thank you for your constant presence and the gift of your peace. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 5:9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Blessing May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and mind, guiding you through every challenge and bringing you comfort and joy. May you rest in his unending peace and share it generously with those around you. Amen.
Jesus has performed many healing miracles in his homeland, the area in the region of the Sea of Galilee – also known as the Lake of Tiberius and the Lake of Gennesaret. These miracles, or signs, have communicated something of the truth of Jesus to the people, who have responded to Jesus’ miracles and to his teaching. It is through the Sermon on the Mount and other teachings as much as through the healing miracles that people have responded to Jesus, recognizing in Jesus the answer to questions they have long asked, and prayers they have prayed for generations [ … ]
