Matthew 23:2

Matthew 23:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
• New International Version (NIV)“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,
• New King James Version (NKJV)saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.

Context of Matthew 23:2

1Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in Moses’ chair [of authority as teachers of the Law]; 3so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them. 4The scribes and Pharisees tie up heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter].

Matthew 23:2 word by word

λέγων· ἐπὶ τῆς Μωϋσέως καθέδρας ἐκάθισαν οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• The scribesγραμματεύςgrammateus · scribeG1122
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• the PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
• sitκαθίζωkathizō · to seatG2523
• inἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• Moses’Μωϋσῆς, ΜωσῆςMōseus Mōsēs Mōusēs · MosesG3475
• seatκαθέδραkathedra · seatG2515

Cross-references for Matthew 23:2

• Nehemiah 8:4Ezra the scribe stood on a [large] wooden platform which they had constructed for this purpose. And beside him [on the platform] stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left.
• Malachi 2:7For the lips of the priest should guard and preserve knowledge [of My law], and the people should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
• Mark 12:38In [the course of] His teaching He was saying, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes [displaying their prominence], and like to receive respectful greetings in the market places,
• Luke 20:46“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes [displaying their prominence], and love respectful greetings in the [crowded] market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets.

Commentaries on Matthew 23:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat - . - They sat there formerly by Divine appointment: they sit there now by Divine permission. What our Lord says here refers to their expounding the Scriptures, for it was the custom of the Jewish doctors to sit while they expounded the law and prophets, ( Matthew 5:1; Luke 4:20-22;), and to stand up when they read them. By the seat of Moses, we are to understand authority to teach the law. Moses was the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Scribes and Pharisees - See the notes at Matthew 3:7. Moses‘ seat - Moses was the great legislator of the Jews. By him the Law was given. The office of explaining that Law among the Jews devolved on the scribes and Pharisees. In the synagogues they sat while expounding the Law, and rose when they read it. By “sitting in the seat of Moses” we are to understand authority to teach the Law; or, as he taught the nation by giving the Law, so they taught it by…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: This means that they give authoritative explanations about the law of Moses. They passed down oral traditions associated with the law and thought to be from Moses. They judged religious and social issues based on these traditions (see Matthew 15:2).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit--The Jewish teachers stood to read, but sat to expound the Scriptures, as will be seen by comparing Lu 4:16 with Lu 4:20. in Moses' seat--that is, as interpreters of the law given by Moses.Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 23:2

• Church
• Ecclesiasticism
• Example
• Hypocrisy
• Oppression
• Pharisees
• Satire
• Scribe (S)
• Teachers

In the dictionaries

• Moses
• Abase
• Bewray
• Devour
• Exalt
• Fill
• Gnat
• Ought
• Partaker
• Pentateuch

Commentaries on Matthew 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings