PREPARING FOR THE SERMON

April 6, 2025

Matthew 23:13-36

Context:

            The passage contains a series of woes directed at scribes and Pharisees who were hypocrites. Previously, Jesus directed people to listen to their teaching (which was based on God’s laws) but to ignore them. Jesus now confronts the teachers who do not live the standards they teach and are stumbling blocks for those who would be righteous.

 

Structure:

13-14 woe… shut the kingdom of heaven

15 woe… make proselytes a son of hell

16-22 woe… who swears by the gold of the temple instead of the temple

23-24 woe… neglect weightier provisions of the Law

25-26 woe… clean the outside but are full of robbery and self-indulgence

27-28 woe… appear righteous outwardly but are inwardly full of hypocrisy and lawlessness

29-33 woe… sons of those who murdered the prophets

34-36 I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; upon you will fall the guilt

 

Key Ideas: authentic faith and obedience, stumbling

 

Some things to think about:

  • What is the difference between looking righteous and being righteous?