13 “But woe (judgment is coming) to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so.
Matthew 23:13 (AMP)
Kid gloves
In the last posts starting back in chapter 22, Jesus has been dealing with the religious leaders. First they tried to trap Him and discredit Him. Each time He foiled their plan. Then Jesus talked directly to His disciples and the crowd to warn them about them. He was tough yet gentle on them. That’s over!
No holds barred
Now it’s “no holds barred”. He lets the religious leaders have it with both barrels! He hits them with 7 woes. In these verses, “Jesus rolls like thunder and strikes like lightning”. (TGC) But Dr. Constable cautions: “However, we should not interpret this word as connoting vindictiveness or spitefulness here. Rather it is a judicial announcement of condemnation from Messiah, the Judge.” (planobiblechapel.org) His clear message is that they are hypocrites (used 6 times). What’s the first woe?
Blocking the way
The first woe (judgment) is that these hypocrites will themselves not get to Heaven. Worse yet, they block the way to Heaven so others can’t enter – even those who are on the path toward salvation. They are clearly at odds with God’s plan yet claim to be God’s instruments.
RЯeflection
- Firstly we must ask ourselves where we fall on the hypocrisy scale. I don’t ask IF we are hypocrites (since I believe we all are to varying degrees) but what is the extent of our hypocrisy? Hopefully we are not fooling ourselves into believing we are saved when indeed we aren’t.
- There is a place for honest, loving confrontation of those that are leading others astray with unbiblical teaching. It’s our responsibility in the body of Christ. But it must be done with prayer, in love, with “fear and trembling”.
