Bible/Matthew/23

Matthew 23:2

23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

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saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat.

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:

23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

What does Matthew 23:2 mean?

Matthew 23:2 is a verse in the book of Matthew, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include λέγω (lego), γραμματεύς (grammateus), καί (kai). It connects to 4 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

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Saying,λέγωlego/leg'-o/G3004a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
The
scribesγραμματεύςgrammateus/gram-mat-yooce'/G1122from 1121. a writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary:--scribe, town-clerk.
andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
the
PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios/far-is-ah'-yos/G5330of Hebrew origin (compare 6567); a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary:--Pharisee.
sitκαθίζωkathizo/kath-id'-zo/G2523another (active) form for 2516; to seat down, i.e. set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell):--continue, set, sit (down), tarry.
inἐπίepi/ep-ee'/G1909a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
Moses'ΜωϋσῆςMoseusG3475or Moses mo-sace', or Mouses mo-oo-sace' of Hebrew origin; (4872); Moseus, Moses, or Mouses (i.e. Mosheh), the Hebrew lawgiver:--Moses.
seat:καθέδραkathedra/kath-ed'-rah/G2515from 2596 and the same as 1476; a bench (literally or figuratively):--seat.

Commentary on Matthew 23:2

HENRY_FULL · Matthew 23:2
s dealing both with God and man; and to each article he prefixes a woe, ver. 13-33 . IV. He passes sentence upon Jerusalem, and foretels the ruin of the city and temple, especially for the sin of persecution, ver. 34-39 . The Scribes and Pharisees Condemned; Cautions against Pride. 1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Nehemiah 8:4

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. pulpit: Heb. tower of wood

Malachi 2:7

For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Mark 12:38

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

Luke 20:46

Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Topics

EcclesiasticismHypocrisyOppressionSatireScribeScribes

People & places in this verse

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Matthew 23:2.

Matthew 3:7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Acts 6:14

For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. customs: or, rites

Luke 5:21

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

Luke 5:30

But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

Mark 2:16

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

Mark 7:1

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

Mark 7:5

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Matthew 1:11

And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: Josias: some read, Josias begat Jakim, and Jakim begat Jechonias

Frequently asked questions

What does Matthew 23:2 say?

Matthew 23:2 (King James Version) reads: "Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:"

Is Matthew 23:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Matthew 23:2 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Matthew.

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As you read Matthew 23:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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