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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 23:3 So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/23-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/40_Mat_23_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 23:3 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So practice and observe everything they tell you. 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But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. <a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. <a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. <a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> therefore keep and observe all things whatsoever they might tell you. But do not do according to their works, for they preach and do not act. <a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a> All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a> Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them. <a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them. <a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> therefore all that they tell you, do and keep, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. <a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them. <a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don&#8217t do what they do, because they don&#8217t practice what they teach. <a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. <a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So obey everything they teach you, but don't do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else. <a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. <a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So be careful to do everything they tell you. But don't follow their example, because they don't practice what they preach. <a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> 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. <a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> So do whatever they tell you and follow it, but stop doing what they do, because they don't do what they say. <a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a> Therefore pay attention to what they tell you and do it. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach. <a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> All which they will say unto you, observe and do; but their works do not do, because they say, and do not do. <a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> All therefore, whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but do not ye according to their works: for they say, and do not. <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So observe and practice everything they tell you to observe. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. <a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a> All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> all, then, as much as they may say to you to observe, observe and do, but according to their works do not do, for they say, and do not do; <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> therefore keep and observe all things whatsoever they might tell you. But do not do according to their works, for they preach and do not act. <a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> all, then, as much as they may say to you to observe, observe and do, but according to their works do not, for they say, and do not; <a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Therefore all whatever they say to you to keep, keep and do; and according to their works do not, for they say and do not.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, all things whatsoever that they shall say to you, observe and do. Yet truly, do not choose to act according to their works. For they say, but they do not do. <a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a> Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Therefore whatever they tell you to obey, obey and do it, but do not do according to their works; for they say and do not. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Everything therefore that they will tell you to observe, observe and do, but you should not do according to their works, for they are saying, and they are not doing.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> therefore, all things that they command you to observe, observe and do. But do not according to their works: for they command, and do not. <a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>therefore do and keep all things so many as they may speak to you, but do not according to their works; for they say, and do not.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> all things therefore which they prescribe for you to observe, observe and practise; but do not according to their works, for they say, yet do not practise. <a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a> therefore whatever moral precepts they bid you observe, those observe and practise; but don't follow their example: for they preach one thing, and practise another. <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves. <a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>All, therefore, whatsoever they bid you, do and observe; but do not according to their works; for they say and do not.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>observe therefore and do all <Fr>things<FR> whatsoever they tell you to observe; but do not ye according to their works, for they say and do not:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/23-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6704" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a> …2“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">So</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiēsate (V-AMA-2P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">practice</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5083.htm" title="5083: tēreite (V-PMA-2P) -- From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.">observe</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panta (Adj-ANP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">everything</a> <a href="/greek/3745.htm" title="3745: hosa (RelPro-ANP) -- How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As."></a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipōsin (V-ASA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">they tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you.</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">do not</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poieite (V-PMA-2P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">do</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">what</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">they</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2041.htm" title="2041: erga (N-ANP) -- From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.">do,</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">they do not practice</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">what</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">they preach.</a> 4They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a> Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. <a href="/romans/2-21.htm">Romans 2:21-23</a> you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? / You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? / You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? <a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Luke 11:46</a> “Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied. “For you weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load. <a href="/1_peter/2-1.htm">1 Peter 2:1</a> Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. <a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">1 John 3:18</a> Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a> Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ <a href="/luke/6-46.htm">Luke 6:46</a> Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? <a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Ezekiel 33:31-32</a> So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice. <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a> Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. <a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7-8</a> For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. / But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a> Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” <a href="/jeremiah/23-11.htm">Jeremiah 23:11</a> “For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD. <a href="/titus/1-16.htm">Titus 1:16</a> They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a> To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>All therefore whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not.whatsoever.<a href="/matthew/15-2.htm">Matthew 15:2-9</a> Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread… <a href="/exodus/18-19.htm">Exodus 18:19,20,23</a> Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: … <a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Deuteronomy 4:5</a> Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.for.<a href="/matthew/21-30.htm">Matthew 21:30</a> And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.<a href="/psalms/50-16.htm">Psalm 50:16-20</a> But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? … <a href="/romans/2-19.htm">Romans 2:19-24</a> And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/22-9.htm">Bid</a> <a href="/matthew/22-38.htm">Command</a> <a href="/matthew/16-27.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/matthew/6-8.htm">Imitate</a> <a href="/matthew/19-17.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/matthew/6-28.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/matthew/21-6.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/matthew/21-8.htm">Others</a> <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Practice</a> <a href="/matthew/11-1.htm">Preach</a> <a href="/matthew/23-2.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Whatsoever</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/5-25.htm">Bid</a> <a href="/matthew/27-64.htm">Command</a> <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">Imitate</a> <a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/matthew/24-15.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/matthew/27-58.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Others</a> <a href="/luke/6-47.htm">Practice</a> <a href="/mark/1-4.htm">Preach</a> <a href="/matthew/23-4.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Whatsoever</a> <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div>1. <a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a> 34. <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So practice and observe everything they tell you. In this phrase, Jesus acknowledges the authority of the scribes and Pharisees who sit in Moses' seat, a position of teaching and interpreting the Law. The instruction to "practice and observe" highlights the importance of adhering to the Law as it was given by God through Moses. This reflects the Jewish understanding of the Law as central to their covenant relationship with God. The emphasis here is on the legitimacy of the Law itself, not necessarily the behavior of those who teach it. This aligns with passages such as <a href="/deuteronomy/5-32.htm">Deuteronomy 5:32</a>, which calls for careful observance of God's commands.But do not do what they do, Here, Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. While they teach the Law, their actions do not align with their words. This criticism is consistent with the prophetic tradition, where prophets like Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>) condemned the people for honoring God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him. The cultural context of first-century Judaism placed a high value on outward religious observance, but Jesus calls for integrity and authenticity in one's faith practice.for they do not practice what they preach. This phrase underscores the disconnect between the leaders' teachings and their personal conduct. The call for congruence between words and actions is a recurring biblical theme, as seen in <a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a>, which urges believers to be doers of the word, not hearers only. The failure of the religious leaders to live out their teachings serves as a warning against superficial religiosity and highlights the need for genuine righteousness. Jesus, as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, embodies the perfect example of practicing what one preaches, serving as the ultimate model for His followers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, addressing the crowds and His disciples about the behavior of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law of Moses and additional oral traditions. They are criticized by Jesus for hypocrisy. 3. <a href="/topical/t/teachers_of_the_law.htm">Teachers of the Law (Scribes)</a> Experts in the Mosaic Law who were responsible for teaching and interpreting the Scriptures. They are often associated with the Pharisees in the Gospels. 4. <a href="/topical/c/crowds.htm">Crowds</a> The general public who followed Jesus and listened to His teachings, often witnessing His confrontations with religious leaders. 5. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The followers of Jesus who were being taught directly by Him and were present during this teaching.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/authentic_faith.htm">Authentic Faith</a> True faith is demonstrated through actions that align with one's teachings. Believers are called to live out the principles they profess. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a> While respecting authority, Christians should discern the actions of their leaders and not blindly follow hypocritical practices. <a href="/topical/p/personal_integrity.htm">Personal Integrity</a> Each believer is responsible for ensuring their actions match their words, striving for consistency in their walk with Christ. <a href="/topical/a/accountability.htm">Accountability</a> The church community should hold each other accountable to live out the teachings of Christ, fostering an environment of mutual growth and support. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_scripture.htm">Role of Scripture</a> The Bible should be the ultimate guide for behavior, and believers should continually return to it for instruction and correction.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'practice_what_you_preach'_mean.htm">What does "practice what you preach" mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_living_church_of_god.htm">What is the Living Church of God?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_prioritizing_others'_interests.htm">What is the significance of Moses' Seat?</a> <a href="/q/what's_moses'_seat's_significance.htm">What is the significance of Moses' Seat?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) All therefore whatsoever . . .--Followed, as the words are, by repeated protests against special and grave errors in the teaching of the Pharisees, it is obvious that they must be received with an implied limitation. So far as they really sit in Moses' seat, and set forth his teaching--as, e.g., the scribe had done whose answer has been just recorded--they were to be followed with all obedience. That which was wanting was the life, without which even the highest maxims of morality became but the common-places of rhetorical declamation. It was one thing to "draw fine pictures of virtue," and another to bring thought and word and deed into conformity with them.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - All therefore. It is because of their official authority as appointed teachers and expositors of the Law that Christ gives the following injunction. That observe and do. Many manuscripts and versions invert the order of the verbs, reading, do and observe. The received text seems most logical. Observe; τηρεῖτε, present imperative, continue to observe as a rule of conduct. Do; ποιήσατε, aorist, do immediately, whenever the occasion arises. All that they taught or commanded out of the Law, or in due accordance therewith, was to be observed and obeyed. The statement is made in general terms, but was conditional and restricted by other considerations. It was only their official injunctions, derived immediately from Scripture, not their glosses, evasions, and interpretations, that were to be regarded with respect. The Lord had already taken occasion to warn against these errors (see <a href="/matthew/16-6.htm">Matthew 16:6, 11, 12</a>, etc.). As inheritors of the authority of Moses, and speaking ex cathedra, they were so far worthy of respect. This principle laid down, Christ proceeds to denounce their evil practices. After their works. You must distinguish between their preaching and their practice; the latter is to be shunned with all care. The scribes are never accused of corrupting the sacred text, which, indeed, was scrupulously guarded, and kept pure and unaltered. It was their treatment of the doctrines thereof that was censured. Our Lord shows their evil example in two particulars - their principle was "words, not deeds" (ver. 4), and ostentation in religion (vers. 5-7). They say, and do not. They enunciated the Law, they enjoined obedience to it in the minutest particulars, and yet they themselves continually, in the most important points (ver. 23), infringed, neglected, evaded it. St. Paul, himself a strict Pharisee, denounces in stern language such inconsistent professors (<a href="/romans/2-21.htm">Romans 2:21-23</a>). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. practice ποιήσατε (poiēsate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. observe τηρεῖτε (tēreite) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5083.htm">Strong's 5083: </a> From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. everything πάντα (panta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. they tell εἴπωσιν (eipōsin) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. you. ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. {do} not μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. do ποιεῖτε (poieite) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. what κατὰ (kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). they αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. do, ἔργα (erga) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2041.htm">Strong's 2041: </a> From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. for γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. they do not practice ποιοῦσιν (poiousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. what καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. they preach. λέγουσιν (legousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/23-3.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:3 All things therefore whatever they tell you (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:4" /></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>