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Verse Takeaways
1
Zeal Without Godly Motives
Commentators highlight that the Pharisees' intense missionary zeal was not for God's glory or the good of souls. Instead, their motives were self-serving: to increase the size of their party, to profit financially from the new converts, and to gain public applause for their efforts. Jesus's woe is a powerful warning that religious activity, no matter how strenuous, is condemned when its foundation is hypocrisy and self-interest rather than love for God and others.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
8
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 23:15
18th Century
Theologian
Ye compass sea and land. You take every means—spare no pains to gain proselytes.
Proselyte. One who comes over from a fore…
AT Robertson
On Matthew 23:15
Twofold more a son of hell than yourselves (υιον γεεννης διπλοτερον υμων). It is a convert to Pharisaism rather than Judaism that …
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 23:15
19th Century
Preacher
The third “woe” related to the unholy zeal of the scribes and Pharisees in gaining adherents to Judaism and their own party, and by the process mak…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 23:15
Many scholars have convincingly argued that the first century A. D. until the Fall of Jerusalem marks the most remarkable period of Jewish missiona…
John Calvin
On Matthew 23:15
16th Century
Theologian
For you compass sea and land. The scribes had also acquired renown by their zeal in working to bring foreigners and the uncircumc…
John Gill
On Matthew 23:15
17th Century
Pastor
Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites
The same character, and woe, are still continued, and a new reason ad…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 23:13–33
17th Century
Minister
The scribes and Pharisees were enemies of the gospel of Christ, and therefore of the salvation of people's souls. It is bad to keep away from Chris…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 23:13–33
13th Century
Philosopher
After He instructed the disciples and the multitudes about the caution they should have regarding the Jews' doctrine, He now directs His words to t…