Recap
A question by the chief priests, scribes, and elders
“By what Authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” Matt. 21 23-37
What was the response of Jesus? Vs 24
How did the scribes priests answer the question Jesus asked? Vs 27
The Three parables; only two
Two Son’s in the Vineyard and which one did the will of the father… Matt. 21:28-32 and a Comparison of the Scribes to knowing the will of the Father and not obeying, which we will see in our study today.
The Landowner, the vine-growers, the slaves and the Son. How the Landowner saw that it was a time for harvest…sent his to the vine-growers to collect his produce they killed the slaves then the owner sent his son and they killed him too. Then talking about the Kingdom of Heaven.Which is the great commandment in the Law?
Background: Matthew 22:41-24:3
Christ’s relationship to David as Son and Lord
Seven Woes against the scribes and Pharisees
Lament over Jerusalem
Matt 22:41-46 Christ Relationship to Daviv as Son and Lord.
Vs 42 “What do you think about the Christ whose son is He? “The son of David” Psalm 132:11,
Matt. 9:27, Luke 1:32. Three Parallel passages to David and the Throne that will be set.
Vs. 43&44 Psalm 110:1 “The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
Who is the first LORD? Who is the second?
Vs. 45 “If David then call Him Lord,’ how is He his son?”
Answer: Although David was king and a leader of his time, he recognized that Jesus was sent directly by God, and was the Son of God. Jesus was chosen by God to be our Savior, David was chosen by men to be king. In the physical form that Christ took, he descended from the line of David. But in the spiritual realm, David recognized Christ as Lord. God called David a man after God’s heart-and so God revealed many spiritual things to David and gave him insight-which manifested in David’s life, poems and songs. Vs. 46 “No one as able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question.”
What does the word Pharisee mean? “Separated one,” meaning They prided themselves in their informing or telling of who they were, of impure and ungodly elements.
How wise were they? They went to schools were training in the law and knew it. Levites, priest, scribes
Matt. 23:1-36 Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisee
Vs. 2. “Seated themselves in the chair of Moses” what does Jesus mean? Christ denounces the Pharisees
They taught the word faithfully, they were to be obeyed but when they missed the mark they were not.
Vs. 4 the Pharisees told men to do the impossible and they couldn’t do it either….
Vs. 12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
What does this mean to us and how can we apply this verse to our everyday life?
1.) Vs. 13 we have the first Woe: shut off went back to vs. 4. They want no one to enter the Kingdom….
2.)Vs. 14 grater condemnation referring to hell and how they cannot escape the wrath of God.
3.) Vs. 15 making others that are converted go to hell and more of a foolish person
4.) Vs. 16 Blind guides
5.) Vs. 23 carry away seeds…..which Jesus told in a parable in Luke. 8 Neglected the Law even though they Know it in their mind but not in their heart. Missed heaven by twelve inches know Jesus but don’t know Him. Twelve inches from the head to heart. 6.) Vs. 25 Self indulgence just care about making themselves look good and mighty and a being in an Hierarchy.
7.) Vs. 27 White washed tombs.
So stringent were Israel's laws about having contact with a corpse, there were special requirements for priests to separate themselves from contact with a corpse.
If a priest was conducting a tabernacle service as the lead priest, he could not go near a corpse even if it was his father or mother (Leviticus 21:10-15). If a priest went near a corpse, he could not conduct tabernacle rites for a period. He could not even eat of the offerings! (Leviticus 22:4)
These things are called to your attention for this reason: when Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees whitewashed tombs, he gave a serious indictment!
Whitewashed tombs were to be avoided! Contact with them produced immediate consequences. From a distance they looked beautiful and innocent. However, contact with them was horrible because of what was inside. Outside they had the appearance of beautiful innocence. Inside they were full of rotting human flesh and human bones. They had the appearance of being desirably clean. Yet, the truth was that they were horrible unclean.
8.) Vs. 29 Descendants. Chapter. 21: 33
How did the people respond by seeing this? What type of impact or influence did the Pharisees have on those who heard Jesus? John 12:42-43.
Is it possible for a Christian to act like a Pharisee? If so how can you prevent it?
Do you think Jesus loved the Pharisees?
Why was religious hypocrisy so offensive to Jesus?
Jesus was offensive to the religious hypocrisy because they never wanted to tell people the truth yet they knew it. Religious people were pretending to be doing God’s will by putting on white garments yet on their inside they are wolves who look for what to devour. Jesus had the spirit of discernment and with this he was able to read their hearts and see how evil they were.
Conclusion The Pharisees were consumed with outward appearance--looking good and holy to get others’ respect, admiration, and praise. However Jesus condemned them because inwardly they were full of greed, wickedness, and corruption. While focused on teaching and observing their detailed laws, precepts and traditions, their hearts were not open to loving God and neighbor (Matthew 22: 22-40). They did right things, like tithing, but they neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness (v.23). Jesus loved them and desired to gather them in, like a mother hen shelters her chicks (vs. 37). The Pharisees refused to come to Jesus and receive forgiveness of sins, salvation, and grace for a changed life from the inside out. 1Cor. 8:1- Now Concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
