Chronological Gospels: Matthew 23

Aug 19, 2025

This post may contain partner or affiliate links which means I might make a small commission, at no additional cost to you, for any purchases made through my affiliate links.

Chronological Gospels: Matthew 23

As we pick up in Matthew 23, Jesus is rebuking the religious leaders in front of a crowd. There are quite a few important lessons here for all of us as He declares what is wrong with the way these scribes and Pharisees are behaving, leading, and teaching. He tells the crowd that because of the positions these religious leaders are in, listen and obey, but don’t mimic them for they do not, and are not willing to, do what they teach.

This is the first lesson of this week’s passage. Just because someone is in charge does not mean we should mimic their character. We should obey our leaders, but be careful not to mimic ungodly behaviors. I want to point out how much Jesus calls them hypocrites. Don’t miss this – Christ does not appreciate, praise, and condone hypocrisy. In fact, He calls out their hypocrisy and follows up by calling them a “brood of vipers”. Hypocrisy is serious business.

We all need to be careful that we “practice what we preach” as the saying goes, and that we are not falling in line with the Pharisee’s hypocrisy. As Christians, we should be following the example and teachings of Jesus, and being careful to mimic godly people in our life. In order to know whether someone is a Christ-like or un-Christ-like example, we must be learning more about Christ Himself. As we learn about the example Christ sets we will learn to tell the difference.

What stands out to you about Jesus’s rebuke of the religious leaders?

The Bible's Message Is All About Love. Learn More About This Supreme Virtue with Bible Gateway Plus. When you start your free 14-day trial, you’ll receive the link to download You Are Built to Love, the free 5-Day PDF Bible study.

What do these rebukes teach you about Jesus?

What do these rebukes teach you about your own conduct and relationships?

$2,300 value for less than $5 a month-- Start your free trial today!
Chronological Gospels: Matthew 23

Have you accepted the grace of God?

If you have not accepted the grace of God and chosen to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to pray to God now and invite Him in, accept Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins, and repent of your sins. Submit it all to God, lay it at His feet, seek the forgiveness of God, welcome Him into your life, and believe that Jesus died and rose again to save you from your sins.

If you would like to learn more about salvation, you can find a couple of studies that may help here:

Discover More

Chronological Gospels: John 18-19

Chronological Gospels: John 18-19

Chronological Gospels: John 18-19 Absorbing each gospel account chronologically has allowed me to see things I have missed when reading them separately. As we read through each account of Jesus's arrest, sentencing, beating, and crucifixion there are many little...

Chronological Gospels: Luke 23

Chronological Gospels: Luke 23

Chronological Gospels: Luke 23 We jump back into the gospel story with Luke's account of Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. So many things can be seen by studying each account, reading each perspective deeply, comparing them, and appreciating the unique ways each person...

Chronological Gospels: Matthew 27; Mark 15

Chronological Gospels: Matthew 27; Mark 15

Chronological Gospels: Matthew 27; Mark 15 This week we enter into the heart-breaking, chain-breaking part of God's redemptive plan. As we read through Matthew's and Mark's accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus, I encourage you to take your time. Don't fall into the...

Support Water On Thirsty Land

Find Out More

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares
Share This