Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 23:2

"saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses seat:" — Matthew 23:2 (ASV)

The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. These words were likely spoken about their collective action as represented in the Sanhedrin, rather than about their individual work as interpreters of the Law. As such, they claimed to be the authoritative exponents of the Law, and our Lord recognizes their official claim to reverence (unless we suppose a latent protest in His words, like that which is veiled in the statement “full well you reject” from Mark 7:9).