English Standard Version
Matthew 23:12
12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
- New International Version (NIV)For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
- New Living Translation (NLT)But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Context of Matthew 23:12
10Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
Read all of Matthew 23Matthew 23:12 word by word
ὅστις δὲ ὑψώσει ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, καὶ ὅστις ταπεινώσει ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Matthew 23:12
- Matthew 5:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 18:4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Job 22:29For when they are humbled you say, 'It is because of pride'; but he saves the lowly.
- Psalms 138:6For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
- Proverbs 15:33The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
- Proverbs 16:18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Proverbs 29:23One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
- Isaiah 57:15For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
- Daniel 4:37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
- Luke 1:51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
- Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
- Luke 18:14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
- James 4:6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
- 1 Peter 5:5Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Commentaries on Matthew 23:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Whosoever shall exalt himself, etc. - The way to arrive at the highest degree of dignity, in the sight of God, is by being willing to become the servant of all. Nothing is more hateful in his sight than pride; to bring it into everlasting contempt, God was manifest in the flesh. He who was in the likeness of God took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man, and humbled himself unto death. After this, can God look upon any proud…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-12The disciples of Jesus should lead by serving others, in distinct contrast to Israel's religious leaders (described in 23:5–7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased--See on Lu 18:14. What follows was addressed more immediately to the scribes and Pharisees.Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 23:12
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
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