Denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees
JESUS
said to the crowds and to His disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.
“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by Him who is seated on it.”
REFLECTION YOU HYPOCRITES!
Jesus severely criticizes the scribes and the Pharisees, calling them hypocrites. The Greek
refers to persons who pretend or take another “face” as actors do when they take a role in a play or drama. In the time of Jesus, it was the Greeks and the Romans who loved entertainment and the Jewish ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas, built amphitheaters for them. Herod’s administrative city, Sepphoris, had facilities and amenities for his Gentile subjects. It is surmised that since Sepphoris is close to Nazareth, Jesus may have worked in the Herodian projects there as a artisan or carpenter. It is there that Jesus was exposed to “actors” and He now uses the word for religious “pretenders” like the scribes and the Pharisees.
The scribes and the Pharisees are respected by ordinary people because they are knowledgeable of the law. Some may attract disciples who follow them and call them “Rabbi.” But for Jesus, their hypocrisy prevents them from entering the Kingdom, from having a right relationship with God. Their demonstration of piety is directed to enhance their honor rather than the honor of God. Their disciples who follow their example will find themselves locked out of the Kingdom.