God’s Word Translation
Matthew 23:12
12Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Context of Matthew 23:12
10Don’t make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah. 11The person who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored. 13“How horrible it will be for you, experts in Moses’ Teachings and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You don’t enter it yourselves, and you don’t permit others to enter when they try.
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 those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
- Matthew 18:4Whoever becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Job 22:29When others are discouraged, you will say, ‘Cheer up!’ Then he will save the humble person.
- Psalms 138:6Even though the Lord is high above, he sees humble people ⌞close up⌟, and he recognizes arrogant people from a distance.
- Proverbs 15:33The fear of the Lord is discipline ⌞leading to⌟ wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
- Proverbs 16:18Pride precedes a disaster, and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall.
- Proverbs 29:23A person’s pride will humiliate him, but a humble spirit gains honor.
- Isaiah 57:15The High and Lofty One lives forever, and his name is holy. This is what he says: I live in a high and holy place. But I am with those who are crushed and humble. I will renew the spirit of those who are humble and the courage of those who are crushed.
- Daniel 4:37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, will praise, honor, and give glory to the King of Heaven. Everything he does is true, his ways are right, and he can humiliate those who act arrogantly.
- Luke 1:51“He displayed his mighty power. He scattered those who think too highly of themselves.
- Luke 14:11Those who honor themselves will be humbled, but people who humble themselves will be honored.”
- Luke 18:14“I can guarantee that this tax collector went home with God’s approval, but the Pharisee didn’t. Everyone who honors himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be honored.”
- James 4:6But God shows us even more kindness. Scripture says, “God opposes arrogant people, but he is kind to humble people.”
- 1 Peter 5:5Young people, in a similar way, place yourselves under the authority of spiritual leaders. Furthermore, all of you must serve each other with humility, because God opposes the arrogant but favors 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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