Theme Passage: Matthew 23:1-39
Introduction: A “woe” is a denunciation, an exclamation of grief, an expression of disappointment and displeasure. In Matthew 23, Christ pronounces “woe” upon the scribes and Pharisees.
The Scribes had the duty of study, interpret, and copy the Scriptures. They were the lawyers of Jesus’ day, having a detailed familiarity with the Law and Prophets, and were considered authorities on the Word of God. Their decisions in regard to the law became the “tradition,” the added regulations which Jesus so often openly opposed.
The Pharisees were a later version of the fundamentalists of Jesus’ day. They were formed in opposition to the Hellenizing (that is, Roman secularization) of the Jews and their religion. They were the religious purists, adhering strictly to the Mosaic code. They were opposed by another group formed about the time of the Roman conquest, the Saducees, who could be considered the liberals of the day – supporting Roman paganism’s influence in Jewish culture, and opposing the Pharisees on many points, resurrection of the dead being a main point of contention (see Acts 23:1-11, especially vv. 6-10: “But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle”).
Why was Christ opposed to these men? Among other reasons, because although they knew the Word of God, they refused to believe in the One sent by Him. Christ gives many reasons the Pharisees and Scribes fell short of God’s true standard of righteousness and justice. Here are just a few reasons.
