Matthew 23:12

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

10Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. 13“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14[Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.]

Matthew 23:12 word by word

ὅστις δὲ ὑψώσει ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, καὶ ὅστις ταπεινώσει ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.¶Read the interlinear

• Whoeverὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
• exaltsὑψόωhupsoō · to lift upG5312
• himselfἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• shall be humbledταπεινόωtapeinoō · to humbleG5013

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 then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
• Job 22:29When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence, And the humble person He will save.
• Psalms 138:6For though the Lord is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar.
• Proverbs 15:33The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.
• Proverbs 16:18Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
• Proverbs 29:23A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
• Isaiah 57:15For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.
• Daniel 4:37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
• Luke 1:51He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
• 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 to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
• James 4:6But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
• 1 Peter 5:5You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to 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

• Ambition
• Humility
• Hypocrisy
• Pharisees
• Pride
• Satire
• Teachers

In the dictionaries

• Abase
• Bewray
• Devour
• Exalt
• Fill
• Gnat
• Ought
• Partaker
• Scribes
• Sit

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