Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees
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Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples,
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saying: a "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
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"Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for b they say, and do not do.
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c "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
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"But all their works they do to d be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
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e "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
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"greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'
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f "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
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"Do not call anyone on earth your father; g for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
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"And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
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"But h he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
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i "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
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"But j woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
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"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! k For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
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"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
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"Woe to you, l blind guides, who say, m 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.'
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"Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold n or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
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"And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.'
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"Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift o or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
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"Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.
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"He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by p Him who dwells in it.
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"And he who swears by heaven, swears by q the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
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"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! r For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and s have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
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"Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
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"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! t For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
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"Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
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"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! u For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
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"Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
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v "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous,
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"and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'
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"Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that w you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
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x "Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt.
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"Serpents, y brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?
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z "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: a some of them you will kill and crucify, and b some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,
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c "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, d from the blood of righteous Abel to e the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
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"Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:3
Yes, He loves the people; All His saints are in...
Ezra 7:6
This Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a sk...
Ezra 7:25
And you, Ezra, according to your God-given wisd...
Nehemiah 8:4
So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood ...
Nehemiah 8:8
So they read distinctly from the book, in the L...
Malachi 2:7
For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge,...
Mark 12:38
Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware o...
Luke 20:45
Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said...
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Cross References
Romans 2:19
And are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness.
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Cross References
Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I ...
Matthew 11:30
"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Luke 11:46
And He said, "Woe to you also, lawyers! For you...
Acts 15:10
Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a...
Romans 2:17 - 24
Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the la...
Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Ch...
Galatians 6:13
For not even those who are circumcised keep the...
Colossians 2:16
So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or...
Colossians 2:17
Which are a shadow of things to come, but the s...
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Cross References
Matthew 6:1 - 6
Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Matthew 6:16 - 18
Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
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Cross References
Mark 12:38
Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces.
Mark 12:39
The best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts.
Luke 11:43
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Luke 20:46
Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 1:24
Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
James 3:1
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
1 Peter 5:3
Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
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Cross References
Malachi 1:6
"A son honors his father, And a servant his mas...
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they m...
Matthew 5:48
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Fa...
Matthew 6:1
Take heed that you do not do your charitable de...
Matthew 6:9
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in ...
Matthew 6:14
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your h...
Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither ...
Matthew 6:32
For after all these things the Gentiles seek. F...
Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good ...
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Cross References
Matthew 20:26
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
Matthew 20:27
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave -
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Cross References
Job 22:29
When they cast you down, and you say, 'Exaltati...
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisd...
Proverbs 29:23
A man's pride will bring him low, But the humbl...
Luke 14:11
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, an...
Luke 18:14
"I tell you, this man went down to his house ju...
James 4:6
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "Go...
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves ...
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Cross References
Luke 11:52
"Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered."
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Cross References
Mark 12:40
"who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
Luke 20:47
"who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
2 Timothy 3:6
For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts.
Titus 1:10
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision.
Titus 1:11
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
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Cross References
Matthew 15:14
"Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."
Matthew 23:24
Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
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Cross References
Matthew 5:33
"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'
Matthew 5:34
But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne.
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Cross References
Exodus 30:29
You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them must be holy.
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Cross References
Exodus 29:37
Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and sanctify it. And the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar must be holy.
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Cross References
1 Kings 8:13
I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever.
2 Chronicles 6:2
I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever.
Psalms 26:8
LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.
Psalms 132:14
This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
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Cross References
Psalms 11:4
The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
Isaiah 66:1
Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?
Matthew 5:34
But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne.
Acts 7:49
Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest?
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Cross References
Matthew 23:13
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
Luke 11:42
But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Luke 18:12
'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
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Cross References
1 Samuel 15:22
So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
Matthew 9:13
"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Matthew 12:7
But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
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Cross References
Mark 7:4
When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.
Luke 11:39
Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.
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Cross References
Luke 11:44
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them."
Acts 23:3
Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?
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Cross References
Luke 11:47
Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Luke 11:48
In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs.
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Cross References
Matthew 23:34
Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city.
Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
Acts 7:51
You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers.
1 Thessalonians 2:15
Who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men.
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Cross References
Genesis 15:16
"But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."
1 Thessalonians 2:16
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
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Cross References
Matthew 3:7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Matthew 12:34
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Luke 3:7
Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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Cross References
Matthew 21:34
Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.
Matthew 21:35
And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.
Luke 11:49
"Therefore the wisdom of God also said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,'
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Cross References
John 16:2
They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
Acts 7:54 - 60
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
Acts 22:19
So I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You.
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Cross References
Matthew 10:17
But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
Acts 5:40
And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
2 Corinthians 11:24
From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
2 Corinthians 11:25
Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep.
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Cross References
Revelation 18:24
"And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth."
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Cross References
Genesis 4:8
Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
1 John 3:12
Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 24:20
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, "Thus says God: 'Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He also has forsaken you.'
2 Chronicles 24:21
So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.