Matthew 23:13 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in {yourselves}, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”

Matthew 23:13

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in {yourselves}, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

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Matthew 23:1

"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,"

Matthew 23:2

"Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:"

Matthew 23:3

"All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, {that} observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."

Matthew 23:4

"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."

Matthew 23:5

"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, {phylacteries: pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law}"

Matthew 23:6

"And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,"

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