CINXE.COM
Matthew 23:2 "The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 23:2 "The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/23-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/40_Mat_23_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 23:2 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/23-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/23-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/23-1.htm" title="Matthew 23:1">◄</a> Matthew 23:2 <a href="/matthew/23-3.htm" title="Matthew 23:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have sat down on Moses' seat;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />saying: “The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in Moses’ chair [of authority as teachers of the Law];<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law are experts in the Law of Moses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"The scribes and the Pharisees teach with Moses' authority.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees are the authorized interpreters of Moses' Law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"The scribes and the Pharisees administer the authority of Moses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"The experts in the law and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />saying, "Upon the seat of Moses the Pharisees and scribes sit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses's seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"The Scribes," He said, "and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />saying, “On the seat of Moses sat down the scribes and the Pharisees;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have sat down on Moses' seat;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> saying, 'On the seat of Moses sat down the scribes and the Pharisees;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Saying, Upon Moses' seat sat the scribes and Pharisees.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have sat down in the chair of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said to them, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on the chair of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And he said to them:”The Scribes and the Pharisees have sat on the throne of Moses.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />saying: The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />saying, <FR>The scribes and Pharisees sat upon the seat of Moses;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />saying, The scribes and Pharisees are seated on the chair of Moses;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />said, the Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses's chair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"The Scribes," He said, "and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />saying, <FR>"The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>The scribes and pharisees sit in the seat of Moses:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/23-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6700" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">“The</a> <a href="/greek/1122.htm" title="1122: grammateis (N-NMP) -- From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.">scribes</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5330.htm" title="5330: Pharisaioi (N-NMP) -- Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.">Pharisees</a> <a href="/greek/2523.htm" title="2523: ekathisan (V-AIA-3P) -- Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle.">sit</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: Epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">in</a> <a href="/greek/3475.htm" title="3475: Mōuseōs (N-GMS) -- Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.">Moses’</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2515.htm" title="2515: kathedras (N-GFS) -- A seat, chair. From kata and the same as hedraios; a bench.">seat.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">3</span>So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Matthew 5:20</a></span><br />For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-1.htm">Matthew 15:1-9</a></span><br />Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, / “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.” / Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-5.htm">Mark 7:5-13</a></span><br />So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.” / Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-37.htm">Luke 11:37-52</a></span><br />As Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee invited Him to dine with him; so He went in and reclined at the table. / But the Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. / Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-46.htm">Luke 20:46-47</a></span><br />“Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-19.htm">John 7:19</a></span><br />Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps it. Why are you trying to kill Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-5.htm">Acts 15:5</a></span><br />But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17-24</a></span><br />Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/1-14.htm">Galatians 1:14</a></span><br />I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Philippians 3:5-6</a></span><br />circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-7.htm">1 Timothy 1:7</a></span><br />They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-5.htm">2 Timothy 3:5</a></span><br />having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/18-13.htm">Exodus 18:13-26</a></span><br />The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. / When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning till evening?” / “Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9-12</a></span><br />You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, / according to the terms of law they give and the verdict they proclaim. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from the decision they declare to you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-9.htm">Deuteronomy 31:9</a></span><br />So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/8-4.htm">Nehemiah 8:4-8</a></b></br> And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, <i>and</i> Meshullam… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7</a></b></br> For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he <i>is</i> the messenger of the LORD of hosts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/12-38.htm">Mark 12:38</a></b></br> And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and <i>love</i> salutations in the marketplaces,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/21-27.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/songs/3-9.htm">Chair</a> <a href="/matthew/22-40.htm">Law</a> <a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/judges/1-16.htm">Moses's</a> <a href="/matthew/22-41.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/matthew/21-7.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/matthew/21-7.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/matthew/22-44.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/matthew/22-44.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Teachers</a> <a href="/matthew/22-34.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/26-47.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-9.htm">Chair</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Law</a> <a href="/mark/1-44.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/17-12.htm">Moses's</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/matthew/24-3.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/matthew/23-22.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/matthew/23-22.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Teachers</a> <a href="/matthew/23-3.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/23.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>The scribes and Pharisees</b><br />The scribes and Pharisees were influential Jewish religious leaders during the time of Jesus. The scribes were experts in the Law of Moses, responsible for teaching and interpreting the Scriptures. The Pharisees were a religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions. Historically, they were seen as the guardians of Jewish orthodoxy, but Jesus often criticized them for their hypocrisy and legalism. Their role was significant in shaping Jewish religious life, and they held considerable sway over the people.<p><b>sit</b><br />The Greek word used here is "καθίζω" (kathizó), which means to sit down or to take a seat. In this context, it implies a position of authority and teaching. To "sit" in a particular seat was to assume the role and responsibilities associated with that position. This word indicates that the scribes and Pharisees have taken upon themselves the authority to teach and interpret the Law, a role that demands respect and responsibility.<p><b>in Moses’ seat</b><br />"Moses’ seat" refers to a position of authority in teaching the Law of Moses. In synagogues, there was often a literal seat or chair where the teacher of the Law would sit, symbolizing their authority to interpret and teach the Scriptures. Moses, as the great lawgiver of Israel, represents the ultimate authority in Jewish religious life. By sitting in Moses' seat, the scribes and Pharisees claimed the authority to teach and apply the Law, a role that should be approached with humility and integrity. Historically, this seat was not just a physical place but a symbolic representation of the responsibility to guide the people in understanding God's commandments.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.</span>--The words were probably spoken of their collective action as represented in the Sanhedrin, rather than of their individual work as interpreters of the Law. As such, they claimed to be the authoritative exponents of the Law, and our Lord recognises (unless we suppose a latent protest in His words, like that which is veiled in the "full well ye reject" of <a href="/mark/7-9.htm" title="And he said to them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.">Mark 7:9</a>) their official claim to reverence.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 2-12.</span> - <span class="accented">The moral character of the scribes and Pharisees, and warning to Christ's disciples.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.</span> In the seat of the great judge and lawgiver. This is stated as an undoubted fact (<span class="greek">ἐκάθισαν</span>), with no idea of blame attached. Literally, <span class="accented">sat on the seat of Moses</span> from time immemorial. These (meaning not individuals, but the collective body) are the authorized expounders and teachers of the Law; their position is assured; they are not to be displaced. The scribes were the party chiefly denoted; they were of the Pharisaical sect; hence the addition, "and the Pharisees," by which is intimated, not that these latter, <span class="accented">qua</span> Pharisees, had any teaching office, but that the former shared their religious opinions. The Sadducees seem to have had no popular influence, and were never recognized as leaders. The Levitical priests never appear in the Gospels as teachers or expositors of the Mosaic system; this function of theirs had devolved upon scribes and lawyers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“The</span><br /><span class="grk">οἱ</span> <span class="translit">(hoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">scribes</span><br /><span class="grk">γραμματεῖς</span> <span class="translit">(grammateis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1122.htm">Strong's 1122: </a> </span><span class="str2">From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Pharisees</span><br /><span class="grk">Φαρισαῖοι</span> <span class="translit">(Pharisaioi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5330.htm">Strong's 5330: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sit</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκάθισαν</span> <span class="translit">(ekathisan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2523.htm">Strong's 2523: </a> </span><span class="str2">Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐπὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Epi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> </span><span class="str2">On, to, against, on the basis of, at. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses’</span><br /><span class="grk">Μωϋσέως</span> <span class="translit">(Mōuseōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3475.htm">Strong's 3475: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seat.</span><br /><span class="grk">καθέδρας</span> <span class="translit">(kathedras)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2515.htm">Strong's 2515: </a> </span><span class="str2">A seat, chair. From kata and the same as hedraios; a bench.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/23-2.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sat (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>