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Matthew 23:13-29 Jesus Denounces the Religious Leaders

13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’

17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’

19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

20 Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.

21 And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it.

22 And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.

28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.

Cross References for Matthew 23:13-29

Isaiah 33:14 - The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: “Who of us can dwell with the c... Click to read the verse Isaiah 33:14 Click to read the verse Isaiah 33:14

Acts 13:10 - “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kin... Click to read the verse Acts 13:10 Click to read the verse Acts 13:10

Acts 13:45 - When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what ... Click to read the verse Acts 13:45 Click to read the verse Acts 13:45

Proverbs 21:27 - The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent! Click to read the verse Proverbs 21:27 Click to read the verse Proverbs 21:27

Isaiah 48:1 - Stubborn Israel “Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and... Click to read the verse Isaiah 48:1 Click to read the verse Isaiah 48:1

Psalms 145:18 - The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Click to read the verse Psalms 145:18 Click to read the verse Psalms 145:18

John 9:24 - A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God,” they said. “We kno... Click to read the verse John 9:24 Click to read the verse John 9:24

Titus 1:11 - They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought ... Click to read the verse Titus 1:11 Click to read the verse Titus 1:11

1 Thessalonians 2:5 - You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. Click to read the verse 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Click to read the verse 1 Thessalonians 2:5

John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and ha... Click to read the verse John 10:10 Click to read the verse John 10:10

1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wander... Click to read the verse 1 Timothy 6:10 Click to read the verse 1 Timothy 6:10

2 Samuel 15:7 - At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I ma... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 15:7 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 15:7

1 Kings 21:9 - In those letters she wrote: “Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place amo... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 21:9 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 21:9

Matthew 27:1 - Judas Hangs Himself Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people ca... Click to read the verse Matthew 27:1 Click to read the verse Matthew 27:1

Matthew 6:5 - Prayer “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the... Click to read the verse Matthew 6:5 Click to read the verse Matthew 6:5

Ezekiel 22:25 - There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devo... Click to read the verse Ezekiel 22:25 Click to read the verse Ezekiel 22:25

2 Timothy 3:8 - Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved mi... Click to read the verse 2 Timothy 3:8 Click to read the verse 2 Timothy 3:8

Isaiah 1:15 - When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many ... Click to read the verse Isaiah 1:15 Click to read the verse Isaiah 1:15

Romans 13:2 - Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,... Click to read the verse Romans 13:2 Click to read the verse Romans 13:2

Isaiah 32:6 - For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads err... Click to read the verse Isaiah 32:6 Click to read the verse Isaiah 32:6

Ezekiel 22:12 - In you men accept bribes to shed blood; you take usury and excessive interest and make unjust g... Click to read the verse Ezekiel 22:12 Click to read the verse Ezekiel 22:12

1 Corinthians 6:10 - nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom ... Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 6:10 Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 6:10

Micah 2:2 - They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud a man of his home, a ... Click to read the verse Micah 2:2 Click to read the verse Micah 2:2

Luke 16:14 - The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. Click to read the verse Luke 16:14 Click to read the verse Luke 16:14

Job 20:18 - What he toiled for he must give back uneaten; he will not enjoy the profit from his trading. Click to read the verse Job 20:18 Click to read the verse Job 20:18

Zechariah 7:10 - Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think ... Click to read the verse Zechariah 7:10 Click to read the verse Zechariah 7:10

Isaiah 10:2 - to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, makin... Click to read the verse Isaiah 10:2 Click to read the verse Isaiah 10:2

Nehemiah 8:1 - 8 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the s... Click to read the verse Nehemiah 8:1 Click to read the verse Nehemiah 8:1

Matthew 23:23 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices... Click to read the verse Matthew 23:23 Click to read the verse Matthew 23:23

1 Timothy 6:5 - and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who th... Click to read the verse 1 Timothy 6:5 Click to read the verse 1 Timothy 6:5

1 Peter 2:16 - Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Click to read the verse 1 Peter 2:16 Click to read the verse 1 Peter 2:16

Luke 11:42 - “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of ga... Click to read the verse Luke 11:42 Click to read the verse Luke 11:42

Numbers 13:32 - And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, ... Click to read the verse Numbers 13:32 Click to read the verse Numbers 13:32

Ezekiel 34:18 - Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pa... Click to read the verse Ezekiel 34:18 Click to read the verse Ezekiel 34:18

Acts 5:28 - “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem ... Click to read the verse Acts 5:28 Click to read the verse Acts 5:28

Matthew 23:27 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs,... Click to read the verse Matthew 23:27 Click to read the verse Matthew 23:27

Numbers 23:1 - Balaam’s First Oracle Balaam said, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and sev... Click to read the verse Numbers 23:1 Click to read the verse Numbers 23:1

Acts 13:8 - But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the pr... Click to read the verse Acts 13:8 Click to read the verse Acts 13:8

Isaiah 9:14-15 - So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single ... Click to read the verse Isaiah 9:14-15 Click to read the verse Isaiah 9:14-15

1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 - who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are ho... Click to read the verse 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 Click to read the verse 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16

Isaiah 61:8 - “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward t... Click to read the verse Isaiah 61:8 Click to read the verse Isaiah 61:8

Amos 8:4 - Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, Click to read the verse Amos 8:4 Click to read the verse Amos 8:4

Acts 5:40 - His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered ... Click to read the verse Acts 5:40 Click to read the verse Acts 5:40

Jeremiah 17:11 - Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. ... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 17:11 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 17:11

Isaiah 3:12 - Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. O my people, your guides lead you astray; they ... Click to read the verse Isaiah 3:12 Click to read the verse Isaiah 3:12

Matthew 6:1 - Giving to the Needy “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen b... Click to read the verse Matthew 6:1 Click to read the verse Matthew 6:1

John 7:32 - The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the ... Click to read the verse John 7:32 Click to read the verse John 7:32

Proverbs 4:17 - They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. Click to read the verse Proverbs 4:17 Click to read the verse Proverbs 4:17

Isaiah 58:4 - Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You c... Click to read the verse Isaiah 58:4 Click to read the verse Isaiah 58:4

Jeremiah 51:34 - “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured us, he has thrown us into confusion, he has made u... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 51:34 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 51:34

Luke 20:47 - They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most ... Click to read the verse Luke 20:47 Click to read the verse Luke 20:47

Acts 6:1 - The Choosing of the Seven In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecia... Click to read the verse Acts 6:1 Click to read the verse Acts 6:1

Matthew 16:3 - and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to... Click to read the verse Matthew 16:3 Click to read the verse Matthew 16:3

Ezra 7:11 - King Artaxerxes’ Letter to Ezra This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra ... Click to read the verse Ezra 7:11 Click to read the verse Ezra 7:11

John 9:22 - His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided th... Click to read the verse John 9:22 Click to read the verse John 9:22

John 9:34 - To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they thr... Click to read the verse John 9:34 Click to read the verse John 9:34

Acts 4:17-18 - But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to s... Click to read the verse Acts 4:17-18 Click to read the verse Acts 4:17-18

Acts 8:1 - And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. The Church Persecuted and Scattered On that d... Click to read the verse Acts 8:1 Click to read the verse Acts 8:1

Isaiah 5:8 - Woes and Judgments Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is l... Click to read the verse Isaiah 5:8 Click to read the verse Isaiah 5:8

Proverbs 30:14 - those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the ear... Click to read the verse Proverbs 30:14 Click to read the verse Proverbs 30:14

2 Timothy 3:6 - They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who ar... Click to read the verse 2 Timothy 3:6 Click to read the verse 2 Timothy 3:6

Job 27:8 - For what hope has the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? Click to read the verse Job 27:8 Click to read the verse Job 27:8

Micah 2:9 - You drive the women of my people from their pleasant homes. You take away my blessing from thei... Click to read the verse Micah 2:9 Click to read the verse Micah 2:9

Psalms 109:7 - When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him. Click to read the verse Psalms 109:7 Click to read the verse Psalms 109:7

Matthew 7:13 - “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destru... Click to read the verse Matthew 7:13 Click to read the verse Matthew 7:13

Matthew 3:2 - and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Click to read the verse Matthew 3:2 Click to read the verse Matthew 3:2

Zechariah 11:17 - “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his rig... Click to read the verse Zechariah 11:17 Click to read the verse Zechariah 11:17

Amos 5:21 - “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Click to read the verse Amos 5:21 Click to read the verse Amos 5:21

Jeremiah 7:10 - and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—sa... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 7:10 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 7:10

Matthew 23:29 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophet... Click to read the verse Matthew 23:29 Click to read the verse Matthew 23:29

John 7:46-52 - “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards declared. Click to read the verse John 7:46-52 Click to read the verse John 7:46-52

Luke 19:46 - “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘... Click to read the verse Luke 19:46 Click to read the verse Luke 19:46

Luke 11:52 - “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselve... Click to read the verse Luke 11:52 Click to read the verse Luke 11:52

Isaiah 57:12 - I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. Click to read the verse Isaiah 57:12 Click to read the verse Isaiah 57:12

James 3:1 - Taming the Tongue Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know ... Click to read the verse James 3:1 Click to read the verse James 3:1

Zechariah 11:5 - Their buyers slaughter them and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, ‘Praise the Lord, I am ... Click to read the verse Zechariah 11:5 Click to read the verse Zechariah 11:5

Matthew 23:25 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cu... Click to read the verse Matthew 23:25 Click to read the verse Matthew 23:25

Mark 12:40 - They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most ... Click to read the verse Mark 12:40 Click to read the verse Mark 12:40

Acts 19:27 - There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of th... Click to read the verse Acts 19:27 Click to read the verse Acts 19:27

Matthew 10:7 - As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Click to read the verse Matthew 10:7 Click to read the verse Matthew 10:7

Matthew 21:31-32 - “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, ... Click to read the verse Matthew 21:31-32 Click to read the verse Matthew 21:31-32

Luke 13:15 - The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donk... Click to read the verse Luke 13:15 Click to read the verse Luke 13:15

2 Timothy 4:15 - You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. Click to read the verse 2 Timothy 4:15 Click to read the verse 2 Timothy 4:15

Mark 10:2 - Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Click to read the verse Mark 10:2 Click to read the verse Mark 10:2

Luke 11:43-44 - “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greeting... Click to read the verse Luke 11:43-44 Click to read the verse Luke 11:43-44

Matthew 23:13-15 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven ... Click to read the verse Matthew 23:13-15 Click to read the verse Matthew 23:13-15

Acts 17:13 - When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they we... Click to read the verse Acts 17:13 Click to read the verse Acts 17:13

Philippians 1:18 - But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives o... Click to read the verse Philippians 1:18 Click to read the verse Philippians 1:18

Luke 5:33 - Jesus Questioned About Fasting They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so ... Click to read the verse Luke 5:33 Click to read the verse Luke 5:33

Luke 19:39 - Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” Click to read the verse Luke 19:39 Click to read the verse Luke 19:39

1 Timothy 5:3 - Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. Click to read the verse 1 Timothy 5:3 Click to read the verse 1 Timothy 5:3