Matthew 23
Devotional
Eight times in this chapter Jesus calls the religious elites of His day “hypocrites.” Eight times He pronounces “woe” (judgment) upon them. Their religious hypocrisy made heaven inaccessible. Their religious piety was an external show, but secretly they took advantage of the disadvantaged. They paid scrupulous attention to certain aspects of God’s law while treating people with merciless injustice. They spent excessive time perfecting the pageantry of religion and external righteousness, but inwardly their wicked hearts remained untouched.
Every time I read Matthew 23 I am struck by how easy it is to become a pharisee.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
Books on the Gospels
“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim