Matthew 23 records Jesus's most sustained public denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees. After warning the crowds and his disciples about their hypocrisy, Jesus delivers seven 'woe' pronouncements, each targeting a specific form of religious pretense: blocking others from the kingdom, exploiting converts, manipulating oaths, obsessing over minor rules while ignoring justice and mercy, maintaining outward purity while harboring inward corruption, and honoring dead prophets while persecuting living ones. The chapter closes with Jesus's lament over Jerusalem, expressing anguish at the city's refusal to receive God's messengers.
The seven woes form a carefully structured prophetic oracle in the tradition of Isaiah and Amos. Each 'woe' (ouai) is addressed directly to the scribes and Pharisees as 'hypocrites' (hypokritai), creating a relentless rhetorical rhythm. The chapter stands in sharp tension with Jesus's instruction in 23:2-3 to respect the teaching authority of the scribes — the critique is not of the Torah but of those who teach it without practicing it. The lament over Jerusalem (vv. 37-39) shifts from prophetic anger to maternal grief, using the image of a hen gathering her chicks. This is one of the most emotionally raw passages attributed to Jesus in the Gospels.
This chapter has a difficult history in Jewish-Christian relations. The language of condemnation has been weaponized against Jewish people as a whole, which is a misreading — Jesus himself is Jewish, his audience is Jewish, and this is an intra-Jewish prophetic critique in the tradition of Jeremiah and Amos. We render the Greek faithfully while noting that 'scribes and Pharisees' designates specific religious leaders, not the Jewish people. The relationship between Matthew's community and the synagogue likely shaped the intensity of this rhetoric.
The woe oracles echo Isaiah 5:8-23 and Habakkuk 2:6-20. The imagery of whitewashed tombs recalls Ezekiel 13:10-16. Jesus's lament over Jerusalem draws on the maternal imagery of Isaiah 66:13 and the prophetic grief of Jeremiah 8-9. The reference to Abel and Zechariah (v. 35) spans the entire Hebrew Bible from Genesis 4 to 2 Chronicles 24. The closing quotation from Psalm 118:26 connects to the triumphal entry (21:9) and will be fulfilled at the Parousia.
Τότε ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐλάλησεν τοῖς ὄχλοις καὶ τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples:
KJV Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
λέγων· Ἐπὶ τῆς Μωϋσέως καθέδρας ἐκάθισαν οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι.
"The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses's seat.
KJV Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
πάντα οὖν ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπωσιν ὑμῖν ποιήσατε καὶ τηρεῖτε, κατὰ δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν μὴ ποιεῖτε· λέγουσιν γὰρ καὶ οὐ ποιοῦσιν.
So do and observe everything they tell you, but do not follow their example, for they preach but do not practice.
KJV All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
δεσμεύουσιν δὲ φορτία βαρέα καὶ ἐπιτιθέασιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, αὐτοὶ δὲ τῷ δακτύλῳ αὐτῶν οὐ θέλουσιν κινῆσαι αὐτά.
They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
KJV 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.
πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ποιοῦσιν πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις· πλατύνουσιν γὰρ τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν καὶ μεγαλύνουσιν τὰ κράσπεδα,
Everything they do is done to be seen by others. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
KJV But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
φιλοῦσιν δὲ τὴν πρωτοκλισίαν ἐν τοῖς δείπνοις καὶ τὰς πρωτοκαθεδρίας ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς
They love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues,
KJV And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
καὶ τοὺς ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς καὶ καλεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων Ῥαββί.
Greetings in the markets, and to be known as of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
KJV And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
ὑμεῖς δὲ μὴ κληθῆτε Ῥαββί· εἷς γάρ ἐστιν ὑμῶν ὁ διδάσκαλος, πάντες δὲ ὑμεῖς ἀδελφοί ἐστε.
But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.
KJV But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
καὶ πατέρα μὴ καλέσητε ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς· εἷς γάρ ἐστιν ὑμῶν ὁ πατὴρ ὁ οὐράνιος.
And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father — the heavenly one.
KJV And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
μηδὲ κληθῆτε καθηγηταί, ὅτι καθηγητὴς ὑμῶν ἐστιν εἷς ὁ Χριστός.
Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor — the Christ.
KJV Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
ὁ δὲ μείζων ὑμῶν ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος.
The greatest among you will be your servant.
KJV But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
ὅστις δὲ ὑψώσει ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, καὶ ὅστις ταπεινώσει ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
KJV And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Οὐαὶ δὲ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι κλείετε τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων· ὑμεῖς γὰρ οὐκ εἰσέρχεσθε οὐδὲ τοὺς εἰσερχομένους ἀφίετε εἰσελθεῖν.
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor do you allow those who are trying to enter to go in.
KJV 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.
KJV 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.
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι περιάγετε τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ τὴν ξηρὰν ποιῆσαι ἕνα προσήλυτον, καὶ ὅταν γένηται ποιεῖτε αὐτὸν υἱὸν γεέννης διπλότερον ὑμῶν.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You cross sea and land to make a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
KJV 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.
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, ὁδηγοὶ τυφλοὶ οἱ λέγοντες· Ὃς ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ ναῷ, οὐδέν ἐστιν· ὃς δ' ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ χρυσῷ τοῦ ναοῦ ὀφείλει.
Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it means nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound by the oath.'
KJV Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
μωροὶ καὶ τυφλοί, τί γὰρ μεῖζον, ὁ χρυσὸς ἢ ὁ ναὸς ὁ ἁγιάσας τὸν χρυσόν;
You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?
KJV Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
καί· Ὃς ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ, οὐδέν ἐστιν· ὃς δ' ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ δώρῳ τῷ ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ ὀφείλει.
And you say, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it means nothing; but whoever swears by the gift on it is bound by the oath.'
KJV And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
τυφλοί, τί γὰρ μεῖζον, τὸ δῶρον ἢ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ ἁγιάζον τὸ δῶρον;
You blind ones! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
KJV Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
ὁ οὖν ὀμόσας ἐν τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ ὀμνύει ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ·
So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.
KJV Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
καὶ ὁ ὀμόσας ἐν τῷ ναῷ ὀμνύει ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν τῷ κατοικοῦντι αὐτόν·
And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it.
KJV And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
καὶ ὁ ὀμόσας ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ὀμνύει ἐν τῷ θρόνῳ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ.
And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by the one who sits on it.
KJV And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι ἀποδεκατοῦτε τὸ ἡδύοσμον καὶ τὸ ἄνηθον καὶ τὸ κύμινον καὶ ἀφήκατε τὰ βαρύτερα τοῦ νόμου, τὴν κρίσιν καὶ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ τὴν πίστιν· ταῦτα δὲ ἔδει ποιῆσαι κἀκεῖνα μὴ ἀφιέναι.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These you should have practiced without neglecting the others.
KJV Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
The Septuagint frequently uses eleos to translate the Hebrew chesed. Here it stands alongside justice and faithfulness as the core of the law's intent — the triad that outweighs ritual precision.
ὁδηγοὶ τυφλοί, οἱ διϋλίζοντες τὸν κώνωπα τὴν δὲ κάμηλον καταπίνοντες.
Blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
KJV Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι καθαρίζετε τὸ ἔξωθεν τοῦ ποτηρίου καὶ τῆς παροψίδος, ἔσωθεν δὲ γέμουσιν ἐξ ἁρπαγῆς καὶ ἀκρασίας.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
KJV Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Φαρισαῖε τυφλέ, καθάρισον πρῶτον τὸ ἐντὸς τοῦ ποτηρίου, ἵνα γένηται καὶ τὸ ἐκτὸς αὐτοῦ καθαρόν.
Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside may become clean as well.
KJV Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι παρομοιάζετε τάφοις κεκονιαμένοις, οἵτινες ἔξωθεν μὲν φαίνονται ὡραῖοι, ἔσωθεν δὲ γέμουσιν ὀστέων νεκρῶν καὶ πάσης ἀκαθαρσίας.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead people's bones and every kind of impurity.
KJV Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔξωθεν μὲν φαίνεσθε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις δίκαιοι, ἔσωθεν δέ ἐστε μεστοὶ ὑποκρίσεως καὶ ἀνομίας.
In the same way, you appear righteous to people on the outside, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
KJV Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι οἰκοδομεῖτε τοὺς τάφους τῶν προφητῶν καὶ κοσμεῖτε τὰ μνημεῖα τῶν δικαίων
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,
KJV Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
καὶ λέγετε· Εἰ ἤμεθα ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, οὐκ ἂν ἤμεθα αὐτῶν κοινωνοὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι τῶν προφητῶν.
Say, If we had been in the period of our fathers, we would not possess been partakers with them in the lifeblood of the God's spokespersons.
KJV And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
ὥστε μαρτυρεῖτε ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι υἱοί ἐστε τῶν φονευσάντων τοὺς προφήτας.
So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.
KJV Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
καὶ ὑμεῖς πληρώσατε τὸ μέτρον τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν.
Then fill up the measure of your ancestors!
KJV Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
ὄφεις, γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, πῶς φύγητε ἀπὸ τῆς κρίσεως τῆς γεέννης;
You snakes, you brood of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?
KJV Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
διὰ τοῦτο ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω πρὸς ὑμᾶς προφήτας καὶ σοφοὺς καὶ γραμματεῖς· ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀποκτενεῖτε καὶ σταυρώσετε καὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν μαστιγώσετε ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς ὑμῶν καὶ διώξετε ἀπὸ πόλεως εἰς πόλιν·
Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from city to city,
KJV Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
ὅπως ἔλθῃ ἐφ' ὑμᾶς πᾶν αἷμα δίκαιον ἐκχυννόμενον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος Ἅβελ τοῦ δικαίου ἕως τοῦ αἵματος Ζαχαρίου υἱοῦ Βαραχίου, ὃν ἐφονεύσατε μεταξὺ τοῦ ναοῦ καὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου.
Indeed, that upon you may come every one of the righteous blood shed upon the world, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you slew between the temple and the altar.
KJV That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἥξει ταῦτα πάντα ἐπὶ τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην.
Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.
KJV Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
Ἰερουσαλὴμ Ἰερουσαλήμ, ἡ ἀποκτείνουσα τοὺς προφήτας καὶ λιθοβολοῦσα τοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν, ποσάκις ἠθέλησα ἐπισυναγαγεῖν τὰ τέκνα σου, ὃν τρόπον ὄρνις ἐπισυνάγει τὰ νοσσία αὐτῆς ὑπὸ τὰς πτέρυγας, καὶ οὐκ ἠθελήσατε.
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you — how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
KJV O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
ἰδοὺ ἀφίεται ὑμῖν ὁ οἶκος ὑμῶν ἔρημος.
Look, your house is left to you desolate.
KJV Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν, οὐ μή με ἴδητε ἀπ' ἄρτι ἕως ἂν εἴπητε· Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου.
For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
KJV For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.