Preaching Outline for Matthew Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty Three of the Gospel of Matthew presents a critical juncture in Matthew’s narrative, where Jesus, the central figure of the Gospel, confronts the religious leaders of His time. With stark candor, Jesus addresses both the crowd and His disciples, setting the stage for a profound discourse on integrity and authentic leadership.

The chapter serves as an expository piece that not only exposes the hypocrisy of the religious elite but also offers a contrasting vision of true greatness that is marked by humility and service.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Twenty-Two here.

The teachings of Jesus in this chapter are characterized by a series of denunciations against the scribes and Pharisees, commonly called the “Seven Woes.” These woes highlight the discrepancies between their teachings and actions, challenging the established norms of religious authority.

This part of the Gospel is a compelling call to self-reflection and a reminder of the weight of responsibility carried by those who lead.

It unfolds a dramatic and emotive passage where Jesus laments over Jerusalem, propelling the narrative toward its climax and setting the scene for the ensuing events that culminate in the Passion of Christ.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 23 provides a powerful indictment of hypocrisy and a call to authentic leadership.
• The chapter contrasts the deceptive practices of the Pharisees with the virtues of humility and servitude.
• A prophetic lament over Jerusalem emphasizes Jesus’ sorrow for the city’s impending judgment and foreshadows His own suffering.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Twenty-One here.

The Setting and Audience

In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 23, the setting takes place in Jerusalem, where Jesus delivers a significant speech to a varied audience. His teachings here take on a tone of admonition towards certain practices and attitudes prevalent among the religious leaders of the time.

Jesus Addresses the Crowd and Disciples

In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus speaks directly to the crowds and his disciples, issuing a critical discourse on the actions of the Pharisees and scribes. His audience consists not only of his immediate followers, the disciples, but also the larger populace of Jerusalem.

The passages underscore a contrast between outward religious posturing and inward spiritual authenticity. Jesus emphasizes humility and servanthood as opposed to seeking titles and reverence, thus implicating the audience to reflect on the essence of true leadership and righteousness.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Twenty here.

Exposing Hypocrisy

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 23, Jesus delivers a scathing critique of the Pharisees and Scribes, focusing on their hypocrisy. He systematically denounces their actions and teachings, revealing a disconnect between their professed beliefs and actual behavior.

The Condemnation of the Pharisees and Scribes

• Behavior at odds with Teachings: Jesus begins his discourse by acknowledging the authority of the Pharisees and Scribes, but then he warns the crowd and his disciples not to emulate their actions. He highlights a significant discrepancy between their words and deeds, denouncing the leaders for not practicing what they preach. Matthew 23:3 “So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.”
• Ostentatious Religion: The Pharisees and Scribes are accused of performing religious duties for public admiration rather than genuine faithfulness. They are depicted as desiring prominent positions and respectful greetings while enlarging their phylacteries and the tassels on their garments to appear more pious. Seven Woes:
  • Woe for hindering others: They are described as barring entry into the kingdom for others, exploiting their position while failing to enter themselves.
  • Woe for misplaced priorities: Their focus on minutiae of the law while neglecting more substantial matters like justice and mercy is sharply criticized.
  • Woe for superficial purity: They are censured for cleanliness in outward appearance while being inwardly full of greed and self-indulgence.
  • Woe for pretending righteousness: Jesus denounces their resemblance to whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything impure.
  • Woe for selective memory: They are chastised for building tombs for the prophets and decorating the graves of the righteous, claiming they would not have partaken in the killing of these holy men, yet their current actions contradict this assertion.
  • Woe for ignoring the prophets: Their history of persecution of prophets, sages, and scribes is exposed, linking their present behavior with that of their ancestors who killed those sent to them by God.
  • Woe for cumulative guilt: The Pharisees and Scribes are told that they will be held accountable for all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to Zechariah.

Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 23:1-36 is a call for authenticity in religious practice and leadership, where he relentlessly uncovers the contradictions in the Pharisees’ and Scribes’ conduct. The chapter serves as a stark reminder of the importance of aligning actions with beliefs in spiritual life.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Nineteen here.

Teaching on True Greatness

In Matthew Chapter Twenty Three, true greatness is depicted through a distinct call to humility and servanthood, contrasting the practices of those who seek recognition and titles.

The Call to Servanthood

In this chapter, Jesus presents servanthood as the hallmark of true greatness. He stresses that those who aspire to be great must first be servants. This echoes the principle that leadership in the kingdom of heaven is not about power or status, but about serving others with a spirit of humility.

Warnings Against Seeking Titles

Jesus delivers a potent warning against the pursuit of titles such as ‘rabbi,’ ‘teacher,’ or ‘father,’ roles that were highly esteemed in the religious society of His time.

He criticizes the religious leaders who do not practice what they preach and highlights the incongruence of seeking honorific titles while neglecting the essence of their roles as servants and teachers. Jesus emphasizes that one’s actions should be aligned with the call to serve humbly, rather than aspiring for acknowledgement from others.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Eighteen here.

Woes Upon the Religious Leaders

In Matthew chapter twenty-three, Jesus delivers a powerful and scathing critique of the religious leaders, emphasizing their hypocrisy and disregard for true justice.

The discourse exposes their legalistic practices and the burdens they place upon the people, contrasting their actions with the righteousness God desires.

Criticisms of Pharisaical Behavior

Jesus’ criticisms focus on the Pharisees’ behavior, who are depicted as religious figures obsessed with the letter of the law but neglectful of its spirit.

They are reproached for their hypocrisy, as they fail to practice what they preach. Instead of leading by example and lifting burdens, they heap heavy loads upon others that they themselves refuse to carry, hindering the path to true spirituality and divine connection.

Seven Woes Detailed

Jesus enumerates seven woes, categorical denunciations of the religious leaders’ misconduct:

1. Woe for shutting the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces, for neither entering themselves nor allowing those who would enter to go in.
2. Woe for converting people only to make them twice as much a child of hell as they are.
3. Woe for tithing meticulously but neglecting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
4. Woe for presenting a righteous exterior while being full of hypocrisy and lawlessness inside.
5. Woe for honoring the prophets their ancestors killed by building tombs, claiming they would not have joined their ancestors in shedding the prophets’ blood.
6. Woe for being like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful externally but on the inside are filled with the dead’s bones and all uncleanness.
7. Woe for outwardly appearing righteous to others, but within full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

In these statements, Jesus condemns the religious leaders for their corrupt and hypocritical practices that misrepresent the true purpose of religious law—to promote justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Seventeen here.

Invitation to Love and Mercy

In the context of Matthew Chapter Twenty Three, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of religious leaders and calls for a sincere adherence to principles of love and mercy. This plea is anchored on a vision for a higher form of righteousness that transcends legalism.

The Higher Righteousness

Love and mercy are put forth as the foundational pillars of a higher righteousness, which Jesus presents as essential, surpassing mere outward compliance to laws.

This form of righteousness demands a heart that is aligned with the values of justice and faith, where one’s actions reflect the inner virtues of compassion and equity.

Emphasizing the significance of love, one can interpret Jesus’ teachings to mean that love should undergird every action, especially as it concerns the treatment of one another.

It is not enough to simply adhere to legalistic standards; what is required is a love that motivates justice, a justice that is not blind to mercy.

Mercy, as underlined in this chapter, should serve as a corrective to the austere application of religious principles that lack empathy. The text seems to suggest that mercy is a critical component of living righteously, providing the balance to ensure that righteousness does not become self-righteousness.

The call to a higher righteousness is, therefore, a call to live out faith in a way that upholds love and mercy as indispensable expressions of justice and faith in daily life. This aligns with the broader themes of Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus frequently underscores these virtues as central to the kingdom of heaven.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Sixteen here.

Prophetic Lament Over Jerusalem

In Matthew chapter 23, a poignant scene unfolds where Jesus openly expresses his sorrow for Jerusalem, exposing a rich tapestry of prophetic tradition interwoven with deep emotional undertones.

Jesus’s Grief for Jerusalem

Jesus’s lament over Jerusalem is a moving testament to his longing for the city’s inhabitants to understand and accept the message of comfort and salvation he brings. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus compares his desire to gather the children of Jerusalem as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, revealing his protective and compassionate nature.

Unfortunately, they were not willing, and thus Jesus prophetically speaks of their house being left to them desolate—indicative of the spiritual abandonment stemming from their rejection of the prophets and ultimately Jesus himself.

Jerusalem stands as a central figure, embodying both the city and its people, often condemned for failing to heed the prophetic voices sent to guide them.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Fifteen here.

Implications for Believers Today

Matthew Chapter Twenty-Three offers critical insights into the expectations Jesus sets for his followers’ behaviors and attitudes. This chapter’s teachings continue to shape the believer’s faith and actions in today’s context.

Applying Jesus’s Teachings to Modern Faith

In Matthew 23, Jesus Christ emphasizes authenticity and humility, strongly rebuking the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocritical practices.

For today’s believers, this mandates a critical self-evaluation of their conduct in light of the gospel’s truth, ensuring their actions are not merely performative but stem from a genuine faith.

• Church Leadership: Those who lead within the church are called to serve with integrity, mirroring Jesus’s condemnation of leadership that burdens followers without providing support. Leaders are encouraged to foster communities centered on service and compassion.
• Disciples’ Lives: Individuals who identify as disciples of Christ are beckoned to pursue a life of humility and authenticity. This entails eschewing the pursuit of social status or recognition for one’s religious activities, focusing instead on a personal, heartfelt commitment to the gospel.
• Communal Responsibility: The chapter has ramifications for the communal conduct of believers. Jesus’s teachings direct the church community to cultivate a culture devoid of hypocrisy and full of grace, where truth and love take precedence in all interpersonal dealings.

Believers today are therefore challenged to reflect upon and embody the moral imperatives of Matthew 23, continually aligning their faith and actions with the core principles Jesus presents.

They must maintain a transparent and humble approach to their personal spirituality and communal involvement, thereby amplifying the transformative power of the gospel in the modern world.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Fourteen here.

Anticipation of Future Judgment

In Matthew Chapter 23, the anticipation of future judgment plays a pivotal role in delivering a solemn warning about the consequences of spiritual complacency and hypocrisy.

The Closing Warning

In the closing verses of Matthew Chapter 23, Jesus confronts the religious leaders with a scathing rebuke of their actions and attitudes, forewarning of the judgment that awaits.

He underscores the gravity of their situation with a passionate lament over Jerusalem, indicting the city’s history of rejecting and killing the prophets sent to her.

This final admonishment sets the tone for the pronouncement of judgment, emphasizing that the current generation will bear the weight of past transgressions.

The passage further alludes to the eschatological theme of the kingdom of heaven, suggesting a future where righteous judgment aligns with divine standards.

With references to the resurrection, it implies a time when accountability will transcend earthly life, pointing towards an eternal verdict that will follow humanity’s actions and decisions.

Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Thirteen here.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Matthew Chapter 23, Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy and teaches on humility and true discipleship. The chapter serves as a substantial critique of the religious leaders of His time, and offers insight into the heart of genuine leadership and service.