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Matthew 23:15-28 Jesus Denounces the Religious Leaders

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.

Cross References for Matthew 23:15-28

John 8:44 - You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a ... Click to read the verse John 8:44 Click to read the verse John 8:44

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

Ephesians 2:3 - All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and f... Click to read the verse Ephesians 2:3 Click to read the verse Ephesians 2:3

Psalms 64:5 - They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who wi... Click to read the verse Psalms 64:5 Click to read the verse Psalms 64:5

Galatians 6:12 - Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. ... Click to read the verse Galatians 6:12 Click to read the verse Galatians 6:12

Matthew 5:22 - But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, an... Click to read the verse Matthew 5:22 Click to read the verse Matthew 5:22

Acts 6:5 - This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy ... Click to read the verse Acts 6:5 Click to read the verse Acts 6:5

Acts 14:19 - Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragg... Click to read the verse Acts 14:19 Click to read the verse Acts 14:19

Matthew 12:45 - Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and ... Click to read the verse Matthew 12:45 Click to read the verse Matthew 12:45

Acts 13:43 - When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed P... Click to read the verse Acts 13:43 Click to read the verse Acts 13:43

Acts 20:30 - Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples ... Click to read the verse Acts 20:30 Click to read the verse Acts 20:30

Esther 8:17 - In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gla... Click to read the verse Esther 8:17 Click to read the verse Esther 8:17

Galatians 4:17 - Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you fr... Click to read the verse Galatians 4:17 Click to read the verse Galatians 4:17

Acts 14:2 - But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against th... Click to read the verse Acts 14:2 Click to read the verse Acts 14:2

Acts 2:10 - Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome Click to read the verse Acts 2:10 Click to read the verse Acts 2:10

Matthew 5:29 - If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lo... Click to read the verse Matthew 5:29 Click to read the verse Matthew 5:29

Acts 17:5-6 - But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed ... Click to read the verse Acts 17:5-6 Click to read the verse Acts 17:5-6

Luke 6:40 - A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. Click to read the verse Luke 6:40 Click to read the verse Luke 6:40

Luke 11:26 - Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live the... Click to read the verse Luke 11:26 Click to read the verse Luke 11:26

Galatians 6:13 - Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they ... Click to read the verse Galatians 6:13 Click to read the verse Galatians 6:13

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