What is the meaning of Matthew 23:3? So practice and observe everything they tell you Jesus has just said that “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2), acknowledging that they read and explain the Law of God. Because the Lord affirms the Law’s divine origin, He tells the crowd: “So practice and observe everything they tell you.” • God’s Word, not the character of the teacher, is the ultimate standard (2 Timothy 3:16; Deuteronomy 6:1). • Obedience to revealed truth brings blessing—“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). • The instruction echoes Jesus’ earlier charge that none of the commandments are to be set aside (Matthew 5:17-19). • We are reminded that believers are “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). But do not do what they do Even when teaching is accurate, the messenger’s life may contradict it. Jesus warns against copying ungodly role models. • Wisdom means weighing both words and lifestyle (Philippians 3:17; 3 John 11). • Proverbs cautions that “a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). • Imitation is powerful; therefore, we follow Christlike examples (1 Corinthians 11:1) rather than those whose conduct betrays the truth. • This call demands discernment: respect the Scripture they expound, yet refuse to let their hypocrisy shape your own behavior. for they do not practice what they preach Hypocrisy is the heart of Jesus’ indictment. • Paul addresses the same disconnect: “You who preach against stealing, do you steal? … God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:21-24). • James asks, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?” (James 2:14). • Leaders bear heavier accountability: “We who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). • The Lord exposes hypocrisy not merely to condemn but to call His listeners—and us—to authentic obedience that lines up confession with conduct (1 Peter 2:1, 21). summary Matthew 23:3 directs us to honor God’s authoritative Word even when spoken by flawed people, yet it simultaneously warns us not to mirror their hypocrisy. Receive the truth they teach because Scripture is always trustworthy; reject their double-standard lives, and instead let your walk match your talk. |
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