Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. New Living Translation So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. English Standard Version so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. Berean Standard Bible So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. Berean Literal Bible therefore keep and observe all things whatsoever they might tell you. But do not do according to their works, for they preach and do not act. King James Bible All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. New King James Version Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. New American Standard Bible Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them. NASB 1995 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. NASB 1977 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them. Legacy Standard Bible therefore all that they tell you, do and keep, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. Amplified Bible so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them. Christian Standard Bible Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. Holman Christian Standard Bible Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. American Standard Version all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. Contemporary English Version So obey everything they teach you, but don't do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else. English Revised Version all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. GOD'S WORD® Translation So be careful to do everything they tell you. But don't follow their example, because they don't practice what they preach. Good News Translation So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don't practice what they preach. International Standard Version So do whatever they tell you and follow it, but stop doing what they do, because they don't do what they say. Majority Standard Bible So observe and practice everything they tell you to observe. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. NET Bible Therefore pay attention to what they tell you and do it. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach. New Heart English Bible All which they will say unto you, observe and do; but their works do not do, because they say, and do not do. Webster's Bible Translation All therefore, whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but do not ye according to their works: for they say, and do not. Weymouth New Testament Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves. World English Bible All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionall, then, as much as they may say to you to observe, observe and do, but according to their works do not do, for they say, and do not do; Berean Literal Bible therefore keep and observe all things whatsoever they might tell you. But do not do according to their works, for they preach and do not act. Young's Literal Translation all, then, as much as they may say to you to observe, observe and do, but according to their works do not, for they say, and do not; Smith's Literal Translation Therefore all whatever they say to you to keep, keep and do; and according to their works do not, for they say and do not. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAll things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, all things whatsoever that they shall say to you, observe and do. Yet truly, do not choose to act according to their works. For they say, but they do not do. New American Bible Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. New Revised Standard Version therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore whatever they tell you to obey, obey and do it, but do not do according to their works; for they say and do not. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Everything therefore that they will tell you to observe, observe and do, but you should not do according to their works, for they are saying, and they are not doing. NT Translations Anderson New Testamenttherefore, all things that they command you to observe, observe and do. But do not according to their works: for they command, and do not. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament all things therefore which they prescribe for you to observe, observe and practise; but do not according to their works, for they say, yet do not practise. Mace New Testament therefore whatever moral precepts they bid you observe, those observe and practise; but don't follow their example: for they preach one thing, and practise another. Weymouth New Testament Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Woes to Scribes and Pharisees…2“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.… Cross References James 1:22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. Romans 2:21-23 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? / You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? / You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? Luke 11:46 “Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied. “For you weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load. 1 Peter 2:1 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? Ezekiel 33:31-32 So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice. Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. Malachi 2:7-8 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. / But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. Micah 3:11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” Jeremiah 23:11 “For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD. Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. Treasury of Scripture All therefore whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not. whatsoever. Matthew 15:2-9 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread… Exodus 18:19,20,23 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: … Deuteronomy 4:5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. for. Matthew 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Psalm 50:16-20 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? … Romans 2:19-24 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, … Jump to Previous Bid Command Deeds Imitate Obey Observe Orders Others Practice Preach Themselves Whatever Whatsoever WorksJump to Next Bid Command Deeds Imitate Obey Observe Orders Others Practice Preach Themselves Whatever Whatsoever WorksMatthew 23 1. Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples5. His disciples must beware of their ambition. 13. He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness, 34. and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem. So practice and observe everything they tell you. In this phrase, Jesus acknowledges the authority of the scribes and Pharisees who sit in Moses' seat, a position of teaching and interpreting the Law. The instruction to "practice and observe" highlights the importance of adhering to the Law as it was given by God through Moses. This reflects the Jewish understanding of the Law as central to their covenant relationship with God. The emphasis here is on the legitimacy of the Law itself, not necessarily the behavior of those who teach it. This aligns with passages such as Deuteronomy 5:32, which calls for careful observance of God's commands. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, addressing the crowds and His disciples about the behavior of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. 2. Pharisees A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law of Moses and additional oral traditions. They are criticized by Jesus for hypocrisy. 3. Teachers of the Law (Scribes) Experts in the Mosaic Law who were responsible for teaching and interpreting the Scriptures. They are often associated with the Pharisees in the Gospels. 4. Crowds The general public who followed Jesus and listened to His teachings, often witnessing His confrontations with religious leaders. 5. Disciples The followers of Jesus who were being taught directly by Him and were present during this teaching. Teaching Points Authentic FaithTrue faith is demonstrated through actions that align with one's teachings. Believers are called to live out the principles they profess. Discernment in Leadership While respecting authority, Christians should discern the actions of their leaders and not blindly follow hypocritical practices. Personal Integrity Each believer is responsible for ensuring their actions match their words, striving for consistency in their walk with Christ. Accountability The church community should hold each other accountable to live out the teachings of Christ, fostering an environment of mutual growth and support. Role of Scripture The Bible should be the ultimate guide for behavior, and believers should continually return to it for instruction and correction.(3) All therefore whatsoever . . .--Followed, as the words are, by repeated protests against special and grave errors in the teaching of the Pharisees, it is obvious that they must be received with an implied limitation. So far as they really sit in Moses' seat, and set forth his teaching--as, e.g., the scribe had done whose answer has been just recorded--they were to be followed with all obedience. That which was wanting was the life, without which even the highest maxims of morality became but the common-places of rhetorical declamation. It was one thing to "draw fine pictures of virtue," and another to bring thought and word and deed into conformity with them.Verse 3. - All therefore. It is because of their official authority as appointed teachers and expositors of the Law that Christ gives the following injunction. That observe and do. Many manuscripts and versions invert the order of the verbs, reading, do and observe. The received text seems most logical. Observe; τηρεῖτε, present imperative, continue to observe as a rule of conduct. Do; ποιήσατε, aorist, do immediately, whenever the occasion arises. All that they taught or commanded out of the Law, or in due accordance therewith, was to be observed and obeyed. The statement is made in general terms, but was conditional and restricted by other considerations. It was only their official injunctions, derived immediately from Scripture, not their glosses, evasions, and interpretations, that were to be regarded with respect. The Lord had already taken occasion to warn against these errors (see Matthew 16:6, 11, 12, etc.). As inheritors of the authority of Moses, and speaking ex cathedra, they were so far worthy of respect. This principle laid down, Christ proceeds to denounce their evil practices. After their works. You must distinguish between their preaching and their practice; the latter is to be shunned with all care. The scribes are never accused of corrupting the sacred text, which, indeed, was scrupulously guarded, and kept pure and unaltered. It was their treatment of the doctrines thereof that was censured. Our Lord shows their evil example in two particulars - their principle was "words, not deeds" (ver. 4), and ostentation in religion (vers. 5-7). They say, and do not. They enunciated the Law, they enjoined obedience to it in the minutest particulars, and yet they themselves continually, in the most important points (ver. 23), infringed, neglected, evaded it. St. Paul, himself a strict Pharisee, denounces in stern language such inconsistent professors (Romans 2:21-23). Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Soοὖν (oun) Conjunction Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. practice ποιήσατε (poiēsate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. observe τηρεῖτε (tēreite) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 5083: From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. everything πάντα (panta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. they tell εἴπωσιν (eipōsin) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. you. ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. But δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. {do} not μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. do ποιεῖτε (poieite) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. what κατὰ (kata) Preposition Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). they αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. do, ἔργα (erga) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. for γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. they do not practice ποιοῦσιν (poiousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. what καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. they preach. λέγουσιν (legousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. Links Matthew 23:3 NIVMatthew 23:3 NLT Matthew 23:3 ESV Matthew 23:3 NASB Matthew 23:3 KJV Matthew 23:3 BibleApps.com Matthew 23:3 Biblia Paralela Matthew 23:3 Chinese Bible Matthew 23:3 French Bible Matthew 23:3 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 23:3 All things therefore whatever they tell you (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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