Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 23:12

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted." — Matthew 23:12 (ASV)

Whosoever shall exalt himself — This precept seems to have been one that our Lord especially desired to imprint on the hearts of the disciples. It had been spoken at least twice before, as in Luke 14:11 and Luke 18:14. The echoes of it in James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:6 show that the impression had been made.