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<!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 GNT</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /></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="../cmenus/matthew/23.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="../topmenuchap/matthew/23-1.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="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">GNT</a> > Matthew 23</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></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../matthew/22.htm" title="Matthew 22">◄</a> Matthew 23 <a href="../matthew/24.htm" title="Matthew 24">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Good News Translation</div><div class="chap"><h3 class="s">Jesus Warns against the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees</h3><h5 class="r">(<ref loc="MRK 12:38">Mark 12.38</ref>,<ref loc="MRK 12:39">39</ref>; <ref loc="LUK 11:43">Luke 11.43</ref>,<ref loc="LUK 11:46">46</ref>; <ref loc="LUK 20:45">20.45</ref>,<ref loc="LUK 20:46">46</ref>)</h5><p class="par"><span class="v40_23_1"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.1" class="v40_23_1">1</span>Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. </span><span class="v40_23_2"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.2" class="v40_23_2">2</span>“The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees are the authorized interpreters of Moses' Law. </span><span class="v40_23_3"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.3" class="v40_23_3">3</span>So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don't practice what they preach. </span><span class="v40_23_4"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.4" class="v40_23_4">4</span>They tie onto people's backs loads that are heavy and hard to carry, yet they aren't willing even to lift a finger to help them carry those loads. </span><span class="v40_23_5"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.5" class="v40_23_5">5</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.5!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> They do everything so that people will see them. Look at the straps with scripture verses on them which they wear on their foreheads and arms, and notice how large they are! Notice also how long are the tassels on their cloaks!<a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.5!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v40_23_6"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.6" class="v40_23_6">6</span>They love the best places at feasts and the reserved seats in the synagogues; </span><span class="v40_23_7"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.7" class="v40_23_7">7</span>they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have people call them ‘Teacher.’ </span><span class="v40_23_8"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.8" class="v40_23_8">8</span>You must not be called ‘Teacher,’ because you are all equal and have only one Teacher. </span><span class="v40_23_9"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.9" class="v40_23_9">9</span>And you must not call anyone here on earth ‘Father,’ because you have only the one Father in heaven. </span><span class="v40_23_10"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.10" class="v40_23_10">10</span>Nor should you be called ‘Leader,’ because your one and only leader is the Messiah. </span><span class="v40_23_11"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.11" class="v40_23_11">11</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.11!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> The greatest one among you must be your servant. </span><span class="v40_23_12"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.12" class="v40_23_12">12</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.12!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great.</span></p><h3 class="s">Jesus Condemns Their Hypocrisy</h3><h5 class="r">(<ref loc="MRK 12:40">Mark 12.40</ref>; <ref loc="LUK 11:39-42">Luke 11.39-42</ref>,<ref loc="LUK 11:44">44</ref>,<ref loc="LUK 11:52">52</ref>; <ref loc="LUK 20:47">20.47</ref>)</h5><p class="par"><span class="v40_23_13"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.13" class="v40_23_13">13</span>“How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock the door to the Kingdom of heaven in people's faces, but you yourselves don't go in, nor do you allow in those who are trying to enter!<a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.13!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span></p><p class="par"><span class="v40_23_15"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.15" class="v40_23_15">15</span>“How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You sail the seas and cross whole countries to win one convert; and when you succeed, you make him twice as deserving of going to hell as you yourselves are!</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v40_23_16"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.16" class="v40_23_16">16</span>“How terrible for you, blind guides! You teach, ‘If someone swears by the Temple, he isn't bound by his vow; but if he swears by the gold in the Temple, he is bound.’ </span><span class="v40_23_17"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.17" class="v40_23_17">17</span>Blind fools! Which is more important, the gold or the Temple which makes the gold holy? </span><span class="v40_23_18"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.18" class="v40_23_18">18</span>You also teach, ‘If someone swears by the altar, he isn't bound by his vow; but if he swears by the gift on the altar, he is bound.’ </span><span class="v40_23_19"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.19" class="v40_23_19">19</span>How blind you are! Which is the more important, the gift or the altar which makes the gift holy? </span><span class="v40_23_20"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.20" class="v40_23_20">20</span>So then, when a person swears by the altar, he is swearing by it and by all the gifts on it; </span><span class="v40_23_21"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.21" class="v40_23_21">21</span>and when he swears by the Temple, he is swearing by it and by God, who lives there; </span><span class="v40_23_22"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.22" class="v40_23_22">22</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.22!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> and when someone swears by heaven, he is swearing by God's throne and by him who sits on it.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v40_23_23"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.23" class="v40_23_23">23</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.23!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> “How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You give to God one tenth even of the seasoning herbs, such as mint, dill, and cumin, but you neglect to obey the really important teachings of the Law, such as justice and mercy and honesty. These you should practice, without neglecting the others. </span><span class="v40_23_24"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.24" class="v40_23_24">24</span>Blind guides! You strain a fly out of your drink, but swallow a camel!</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v40_23_25"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.25" class="v40_23_25">25</span>“How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You clean the outside of your cup and plate, while the inside is full of what you have gotten by violence and selfishness. </span><span class="v40_23_26"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.26" class="v40_23_26">26</span>Blind Pharisee! Clean what is inside the cup first, and then the outside will be clean too!</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v40_23_27"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.27" class="v40_23_27">27</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.27!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> “How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look fine on the outside but are full of bones and decaying corpses on the inside. </span><span class="v40_23_28"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.28" class="v40_23_28">28</span>In the same way, on the outside you appear good to everybody, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and sins.</span></p><h3 class="s">Jesus Predicts Their Punishment</h3><h5 class="r">(<ref loc="LUK 11:47-51">Luke 11.47-51</ref>)</h5><p class="par"><span class="v40_23_29"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.29" class="v40_23_29">29</span>“How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You make fine tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of those who lived good lives; </span><span class="v40_23_30"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.30" class="v40_23_30">30</span>and you claim that if you had lived during the time of your ancestors, you would not have done what they did and killed the prophets. </span><span class="v40_23_31"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.31" class="v40_23_31">31</span>So you actually admit that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets! </span><span class="v40_23_32"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.32" class="v40_23_32">32</span>Go on, then, and finish up what your ancestors started! </span><span class="v40_23_33"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.33" class="v40_23_33">33</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.33!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> You snakes and children of snakes! How do you expect to escape from being condemned to hell? </span><span class="v40_23_34"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.34" class="v40_23_34">34</span>And so I tell you that I will send you prophets and wise men and teachers; you will kill some of them, crucify others, and whip others in the synagogues and chase them from town to town. </span><span class="v40_23_35"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.35" class="v40_23_35">35</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.35!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> As a result, the punishment for the murder of all innocent people will fall on you, from the murder of innocent Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the Temple and the altar. </span><span class="v40_23_36"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.36" class="v40_23_36">36</span>I tell you indeed: the punishment for all these murders will fall on the people of this day!</span></p><h3 class="s">Jesus' Love for Jerusalem</h3><h5 class="r">(<ref loc="LUK 13:34">Luke 13.34</ref>,<ref loc="LUK 13:35">35</ref>)</h5><p class="par"><span class="v40_23_37"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.37" class="v40_23_37">37</span>“Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me! </span><span class="v40_23_38"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.38" class="v40_23_38">38</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.38!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> And so your Temple will be abandoned and empty. </span><span class="v40_23_39"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.23.39" class="v40_23_39">39</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.23.39!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> From now on, I tell you, you will never see me again until you say, ‘God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord.’”</span></p><a name="fn"></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Footnotes:<br /><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">23.5: </char><char style="fk" closed="false">tassels on their cloaks: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">These tassels were worn as a sign of devotion to God (see Nu 15.37-41).</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">23.13: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Some manuscripts add verse 14: </char><char style="fq" closed="false">How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You take advantage of widows and rob them of their homes, and then make a show of saying long prayers! Because of this your punishment will be all the worse! </char><char style="ft" closed="false">(see Mk 12.40).</char></note></div></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">© 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.</span></p> <p class="yiv9003199930MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Bible text from the Good News Translation (GNT) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (<a href="http://www.americanbible.org">www.americanbible.org</a>). Learn more at <a href="http://www.gnt.bible">www.gnt.bible</a> . 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