Online Bible

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 23

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Matthew 23 NWT - New World TranslationMatthew 23 NWT - New World Translation

Chapter 23 of Matthew—New World Translation (NWT)

  1. ¶ Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,1 saying:
  2. “The scribes2 and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses.3
  3. Therefore all the things they tell4 YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds,5 for they say but do not perform.
  4. They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men,6 but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger.7
  5. All the works they do they do to be viewed by men;8 for they broaden the [scripture-containing] cases9 that they wear as safeguards,[a] and enlarge the fringes[b]10 [of their garments].
  6. They like the most prominent place11 at evening meals and the front seats in the synagogues,12
  7. and the greetings13 in the marketplaces[c] and to be called Rabbi[d] by men.14
  8. But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher,15 whereas all YOU are brothers.
  9. Moreover, do not call anyone YOUR father on earth, for one is YOUR Father,16 the heavenly One.
  10. Neither be called ‘leaders,’17 for YOUR Leader[e] is one, the Christ.
  11. But the greatest one among YOU must be YOUR minister.[f]18
  12. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled,19 and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.20
  13. ¶ “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up21 the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU22 yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in.
  14. [g] ——
  15. ¶ “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!23 because YOU traverse sea and dry land to make one proselyte,[h] and when he becomes one YOU make him a subject for[i] Ge·henʹna[j] twice as much so as yourselves.
  16. ¶ “Woe to YOU, blind guides,24 who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple,[k] it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is under obligation.’25
  17. Fools and blind ones! Which, in fact, is greater, the gold or the temple that has sanctified the gold?26
  18. Also, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is under obligation.’
  19. Blind ones! Which, in fact, is greater, the gift or the altar27 that sanctifies the gift?
  20. Therefore he that swears by the altar is swearing by it and by all the things on it;
  21. and he that swears by the temple is swearing by it and by him that is inhabiting it;28
  22. and he that swears by heaven is swearing by the throne of God29 and by him that is sitting on it.
  23. ¶ “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU give the tenth30 of the mint and the dill and the cumin, but YOU have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice31 and mercy32 and faithfulness.[l]33 These things it was binding to do, yet not to disregard the other things.
  24. Blind guides,34 who strain out the gnat35 but gulp down the camel!36
  25. ¶ “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU cleanse the outside of the cup37 and of the dish, but inside they are full of plunder38 and immoderateness.
  26. Blind39 Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup40 and of the dish, that the outside of it also may become clean.
  27. ¶ “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!41 because YOU resemble whitewashed42 graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness.
  28. In that way YOU also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men,43 but inside YOU are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
  29. ¶ “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!44 because YOU build the graves of the prophets and decorate the memorial tombs of the righteous ones,45
  30. and YOU say, ‘If we were in the days of our forefathers, we would not be sharers with them in the blood of the prophets.’46
  31. Therefore YOU are bearing witness against yourselves that YOU are sons of those who murdered the prophets.47
  32. Well, then, fill up the measure48 of YOUR forefathers.[m]
  33. ¶ “Serpents, offspring of vipers,49 how are YOU to flee from the judgment of Ge·henʹna?[n]50
  34. For this reason, here I am sending51 forth to YOU prophets and wise men and public instructors.[o]52 Some of them YOU will kill53 and impale,[p] and some of them YOU will scourge54 in YOUR synagogues and persecute from city to city;
  35. that there may come upon YOU all the righteous blood spilled on earth,55 from the blood of righteous56 Abel57 to the blood of Zech·a·riʹah son of Bar·a·chiʹah, whom YOU murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.58
  36. Truly I say to YOU, All these things will come upon this generation.59
  37. ¶ “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets60 and stoner61 of those sent forth to her,62—how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings!63 But YOU people did not want it.64
  38. Look! YOUR house65 is abandoned to YOU.66
  39. For I say to YOU, YOU will by no means see me from henceforth until YOU say, ‘Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah’s[q] name!’”67

FOOTNOTES

  1. ^ Or, “broaden their phylacteries.”
  2. ^ Or, “borders; tassels.”
  3. ^ Or, “places of assembly.”
  4. ^ Or, “My Great (Excellent) One.” Gr., Rhab·beiʹ; Lat., rabʹbi; J17(Heb.), Rab·biʹ Rab·biʹ.
  5. ^ “Leader.” Gr., ka·the·ge·tesʹ; Lat., ma·giʹster.
  6. ^ Or, “servant.” Gr., di·aʹko·nos; Lat., mi·niʹster; J17,18(Heb.), lim·sha·rethʹ, “as an attendant.”
  7. ^ אBDVgSysArm omit; VgcSyc, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you devour widows’ houses and for a pretense offer long prayers; on this account you will receive judgment more abundantly.”
  8. ^ Or, “convert.” Gr., pro·seʹly·ton; Lat., pro·seʹly·tum.
  9. ^ “A subject for.” Lit., “a son of.”
  10. ^ See App 4C.
  11. ^ Or, “divine habitation (dwelling).” Gr., na·oiʹ, dative, sing.; Lat., temʹplum; J17,18,22(Heb.), ba·heh·khalʹ, “by the palace.” Compare 1Sa 1:9 ftn, “Temple.”
  12. ^ Or, “faith.”
  13. ^ Or, “measure up fully to your forefathers.” B*, “you will fill up the measure of your forefathers.”
  14. ^ See App 4C.
  15. ^ Or, “learned persons; scribes.”
  16. ^ Or, “fasten on a stake (pole).” See App 5C.
  17. ^ See App 1D.

REFERENCES

  1. ^ Lu 20:45
  2. ^ Mr 12:38
  3. ^ Ex 18:13
  4. ^ Ml 2:7
  5. ^ Ml 2:8
  6. ^ Mt 11:28; Ac 15:10
  7. ^ Lu 11:46
  8. ^ Mt 6:1
  9. ^ De 6:8
  10. ^ Nu 15:38; De 22:12
  11. ^ Mr 12:39; Lu 14:7, 10
  12. ^ Lu 11:43
  13. ^ Lu 20:46
  14. ^ Jb 32:22
  15. ^ Jn 13:13
  16. ^ Mt 6:9
  17. ^ 1Pe 5:3
  18. ^ Mt 20:26; Mr 9:35; Lu 22:26
  19. ^ Pr 16:18; 29:23
  20. ^ Pr 15:33; Mt 18:4; Lu 14:11; Ro 12:3; Eph 4:2; 1Pe 5:5
  21. ^ Mt 16:19
  22. ^ Lu 11:52
  23. ^ Mt 6:2; 7:5; Lu 12:56
  24. ^ Mt 15:14; Ro 2:19
  25. ^ Mt 5:34
  26. ^ Ex 30:29
  27. ^ Ex 29:37
  28. ^ 1Ki 8:13; Ps 11:4; 26:8; 132:14
  29. ^ Mt 5:34
  30. ^ Le 27:30; Lu 11:42
  31. ^ Je 22:15; Jn 7:24
  32. ^ Ho 6:6; Mc 6:8; Mt 9:13; 12:7
  33. ^ 1Ti 1:5
  34. ^ Mt 15:14
  35. ^ Le 11:42
  36. ^ Le 11:4
  37. ^ Mr 7:4
  38. ^ Mr 12:40
  39. ^ Jn 9:40
  40. ^ Lu 11:39
  41. ^ Lu 12:56
  42. ^ De 27:4; Lu 11:44; Ac 23:3
  43. ^ Lu 16:15
  44. ^ Mt 6:2
  45. ^ Lu 11:47
  46. ^ Lu 11:50
  47. ^ Lu 11:48; Ac 7:52; Heb 11:37
  48. ^ 1Th 2:16
  49. ^ Ge 3:15; Mt 3:7; 12:34; Lu 3:7
  50. ^ Mt 10:28; Mr 12:40; Lu 12:5
  51. ^ Lu 11:49
  52. ^ Mt 10:41; 13:52
  53. ^ Ac 7:59
  54. ^ Lu 21:12; Jn 16:2; Ac 5:40; 2Co 11:24; 1Th 2:15
  55. ^ Mt 27:25
  56. ^ Lu 11:50, 51; Re 18:24
  57. ^ Ge 4:10; Heb 11:4
  58. ^ 2Ch 24:22
  59. ^ Ex 20:5
  60. ^ Lu 13:34
  61. ^ Heb 11:37
  62. ^ 2Ch 24:21; Jn 8:59; 1Th 2:15
  63. ^ Ps 91:4
  64. ^ Lu 19:14
  65. ^ 1Ki 9:7; Je 12:7; 22:5; Mt 21:43; Lu 19:42
  66. ^ Lu 21:20
  67. ^ Ps 118:26; Mt 21:9

Read Matthew Chapter 23 in other Bible versions:

Comments

  1. Kiamia DoelKiamia Doel
    Jan 9, 2025 23:00 GMT

    The NWT adds words to the text that are not in the greek Manuscripts to fit it's own doctrinal position for example

    Compare the wording of the NWT and the NKJV at Colossians 1:15-17

    NKJV says

    15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

    NWT says

    15 He is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn OF all creation;16 because by means of him all OTHER things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible,whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All OTHER things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all OTHER things,and by means of him all OTHER things were made to exist,

    The word “other” is not in the Greek but they add it Why? So they can decieve their followers into thinking that Christ was created by the Father and that he then created other things, that is not what the Greek says.

    1. SmeSme
      Feb 27, 2025 11:17 GMT

      Truth is from God and those that follow him. As for lies? John8:44

      Kiamia, I noticed you used a modern version of kjv to make your point about the nwt.

      Why didn’t you use the original kjv of col1:15?

      Is it because it disproves your point? It proves the opposite of what you wrote?

      Here is kjv col1:15 ¶” Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn OF every creature:“

      Now I appeal to your Christian nature to correct your mistake as God is watching each of us, and let us bless the God of Jesus his father.

      Kjv 1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ….

  2. YanekYanek
    Dec 24, 2024 22:18 GMT

    Joshua, Jehovah’s Witnesses have never denied the deity of the Messiah in his prehuman existence. While on Earth he was fully 100% human. I do not mean he was a mere human, he was not affected by Adam’s unfaithful behavior, he was sinless.

  3. David yakubuDavid yakubu
    Oct 29, 2022 08:05 GMT

    When i do read some comments and seeing that its the same people that are supposed to be called believers but are talking ill of other denominations, it hurts. Let us all remember that We should judge not

    1. jonas smithjonas smith
      Apr 23, 2023 02:57 GMT

      The bible tells us to test the spirits. Satan disguises himself as angel of light. So yes some denomination are not teaching the truth. You are responsible for judging which ones are not. You have to judge the truth at all times. this is what the bible teaches

  4. THTH
    Apr 7, 2021 00:20 GMT

    The NWT is a very good translation. Dr. Jason David BeDuhn PhD attests to that in his book Truth in Translation. drive.google.com/...5p16melHzg8/view

    1. James LernerJames Lerner
      Jul 20, 2024 09:48 GMT

      The NWT is Satanic filth to its very core.

      The JW Cult is Satanic to its very core.

      Praise Yahweh I will never be a victim of JW brainwashing. If I burn in Hell for eternity or I am ultimately annihilated so be it

      May Yahweh's curse rest on the Watchtower Society and its Satanic leadership

    2. jim mcleodjim mcleod
      Aug 22, 2021 06:16 GMT

      NWT is a false translation that takes away from the deity of Jesus !

  5. SlightlyChaoticSlightlyChaotic
    Jan 30, 2021 16:33 GMT

    Thank you for taking the time to provide this service. I like seeing the NASB on your web page in the same format as I read on paper. On other sites, the text area is smaller, and so I have to keep scrolling down to read and sometimes I lose the context. So I really appreciate the format.

    As far as the NWT, you are certainly free to do whatever you think best with your own web pages. I'd suggest that you make a note anytime you have a translation that is associated with only one denomination or church, for example:
    New World Translation (Jehovah's Witness version).

    In Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares. the main idea seems to be that you can't easily distinguish between God's people and not-God's people on this earth, so our Lord's response is to wait until they are shown to be the kind of people they are inside. But the NWT seems like false teaching to me. So I think the warning passages from Jesus' apostles are more applicable, as in 2 Peter 3:15-16, when he talks about Paul's writings:
    "There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."
    And we also have the positive exhortations, as in 2 Timothy 2:15:
    "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

    1. BroderickBroderick
      Jan 31, 2021 00:57 GMT

      Your suggestion regarding the denominational flagging is duly noted. But I can’t help but wonder, wouldn’t a Catholic also want “Protestant versions” marked as well?

      As for the parable, I’m pretty sure the slaves were convinced in their own minds that they could tell the tares from the wheat. After all, aren’t they the ones who identified the problem in the first place? But the master obviously thought otherwise.

      Furthermore, even at the time when Jesus himself was walking the earth, not everybody who claimed fellowship actually followed him causing John to inquire at Mark 9:39, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him . . . for he who is not against us is for us.”

  6. Joshua HarderJoshua Harder
    Dec 11, 2020 17:48 GMT

    Hello, question.. why have you included the NWT with other legitimate bible translations? Or why have you not atleast included a warning to readers? Don't you fear that someone could be influenced by the Watchtower's intentional heresies? Thank you.

    1. KevinKevin
      Jul 11, 2021 17:45 GMT

      en.m.wikipedia.org/..._Holy_Scriptures

      See the section critical review

    2. ChrisChris
      Jan 8, 2021 07:15 GMT

      Please site these intentional heresies. I am well versed in the watch tower outline and agree they are in many ways incorrect but i also bet i can point many out from EVERY established or main denomination. There is much to learn from them all as one who drinks milk?

      Judge not lest ye be judged, that is not to pass judgement on you either brother.

      I debate with scripture. I don't hold it to be true that Michael is Y'Shua HaMeshiach but I also firmly hold it to be true that our G-d and Heavenly Father are not the word encarnate and only begotten son.

      I love not seeing "lord" which i relate to baal. I feel the catholic church is a satanic establishment and I am aware a freemason started the hovies but there are evil in high places and our fight is also with principalities.

      What i'm saying is that in my darkest hours, those two were some of if not the only ones who would bring a Bible and eucharist and pray with me.

      We all fall short of the glory of G-d.

      Don't forget the NWT was recognized as the most accurate translation on Jeopardy.

      Lastly, this is different I noted than the NWT i have read and am very familiar with. Pull up the watchtower page and compare. I truly look forward to getting this one!

  7. julietjuliet
    Aug 17, 2022 09:36 GMT

    the sky is blue

  8. mercymercy
    Aug 12, 2022 21:23 GMT

    i am Mercy, the sky is blue what else do you need

    1. mercymercy
      Aug 12, 2022 21:25 GMT

      i am so sorry, it was a big mistake

  9. God is able to do all thingsGod is able to do all things
    May 17, 2021 17:59 GMT

    Jesus how much love calling yo name

  10. EmpiralEmpiral
    Jul 4, 2025 19:06 GMT

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