Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees
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Mt 23:13-22
[Jesus said,] 13“Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of
heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you
allow entrance to those trying to enter. [14]
15“Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and
land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of
Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.
16“Woe
to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means
nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’
17Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? 18And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ 19You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; 21one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.”
Reflection:
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees.
The evangelist lists seven “woes” against the scribes and the
Pharisees. These woes signify the rejection of their teachings and serve
as Jesus’ warning to their listeners not to imitate their lifestyle.
Why? It is because the piety of these religious authorities is only for
publicity and showmanship. They do things just to create a positive
impression but in reality they do the opposite and make things harder
for the ordinary people. Their practice of religion is purely external,
only for their self-aggrandizement.
Jesus
speaks about their sin of parading themselves as self-righteous. They
know the law but in reality they do not observe it. Their hypocrisy
deserves Jesus’ woes.
Are our works and words truly pleasing to God?
Shall we earn the praises of God or the woes of Jesus?
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