Bible Study on Matthew 23, verses 1 to 12, one is your Master, even Christ

 

Matthew 23:1 ¶  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 will not move them with one of their fingers. 5  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

 

Now Jesus has finished talking to the high muckety-mucks and turns His attention to the people and His disciples with a warning about the religious elite. They sit in Moses’ seat figuratively dispensing their interpretations of the Law given to him for the Israelites as a seat was the position of authority. In the Roman Catholic Church the latin word ‘cathedra’ is used for the seat of a Bishop and the Pope is said to speak, “ex cathedra,” or “from the seat.” Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount here in Matthew seated.  Jesus tells them to respect what the religious authorities say and do what they related out of the Law but not to follow them as an example. They are hypocrites, saying one thing but doing quite another.

 

They put a lot of stuff on the shoulders of the Jew but don’t follow those rules themselves. They presented themselves as holy and righteous but that appearance was a sham, just for show. And, on top of that, they abused their privileges that respect afforded them and the honorific names of Rabbi, Master; meaning a teacher of the Law in this context.

 

Jesus tells His disciples not to accept these names but in humility, understanding that Christ is THE Rabbi, THE Master, they should point to Him. Notice they were to call no man father as God was their Father, which makes one wonder about why the Roman Catholic Church can justify calling a priest “Father.”

 

In the ministry of Christ verses 11 and 12 make it clear that a humble spirit is what is called for.

 

James 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

 

1Peter 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

 

John Gill says the phylacteries were four sections of the Law written on parchment; Exodus 13:2-11; Exodus 13:11-17, Deuteronomy 6:4-10; and Deuteronomy 11:13-22. They even thought of them to ward off evil spirits and disease like someone carrying a small King James Bible in his pocket thinking that it will bring him or her a blessing throughout the day by magically protecting them from misadventure or sickness.

 

The fringes on the borders of their garments would remind them of the Law and were thought to show their piety and righteousness. This is what we call today ‘virtue signaling.’ I am righteous because I have a Bible verse attached to my vehicle. The priest of the Hebrews or the Christian in 21^st century America might be a dismal, hateful, wretch but they know what makes them look good.

 

This is not to say that Bible verses on one’s car or home are bad things. They are good things but the heart should not confuse them with God’s approval of your behavior. In other words, a dove lapel pin says nothing about a person’s character or sincerity as God judges the heart not a symbol.