Chapter 05
The Fourth Level Of Pharisees Condemned
13.05.00.A. JESUS CONFRONTS THE LEADING PHARISEES by James Tossit. Of the four levels of Pharisees, the elitists were the leaders who confronted Jesus numerous times whereas the common people, including many Pharisees, loved Jesus.
13.05.02 Mt. 23:13-15
FALSE RELIGIOUS PIETY CONDEMNED
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in.
[14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses and make long prayers just for show. This is why you will receive a harsher punishment.]
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell as you are!
The passage of Matthew 23:13-32 should ideally be treated as a single literary unit, but it is divided into four units for the purpose of explaining each section. Note the poetic structure of this passage (outlined below), and that it points to the failure of leadership as the emphasis of this narrative.
3’. vv.25-26 Incorrect use of Scripture
2’. vv. 27-28 Superficially zealous and doing more harm than good
1’. vv. 29-32 Heirs of those who failed to recognize God’s prophets.
The chiastic pattern has repeated ideas (i.e. 2 and 2′) that focus on the main point, which, on line 4, is the failure of the religious leaders to recognize the thrust of Scripture that is to bring man to a close relationship with God (line 4). Jesus was not the only one who condemned the leading Pharisees and Sadducees, the condemnation of scribes and teachers who do not follow their own instruction is well known in rabbinic literature.[1] The irony is that all forms of post second-temple Judaism originated from the surviving Pharisees.
Following this heated discussion with the religious leaders Jesus proceeded to pronounce upon them seven condemnations, commonly known as the “seven woes.” There is reason to believe that Matthew (Ch. 23) recorded them in the precise order as spoken by Jesus. Matthew’s account reveals a very precise chiastic literary structure[2] that has the focus upon the fourth woe, where the basic failure of the Pharisaic teachers is laid out.[3]
While Luke and Matthew both recorded the condemning words of Jesus against the leading Pharisees, Matthew apparently made a point of it. Yet there were essentially two kinds of Pharisees:
The three woes pronounced upon the leading Pharisees were for specific reasons:
It is a well-known principle in history that, whenever the ceremonial is elevated above the rank of the moral, the moral teaching is lost in the eloquent rhetoric of the ceremonial. The scribes and Pharisees had learned how, by arbitrary exegesis, to explain away the weightiest moral obligations and make up for the neglect of them by multiplying ritual ceremonial observances. As a result, these men of pride and arrogance were able to indulge in selfishness and greed while justifying their self-defined world of “holiness.” Jesus probably recognized this when He first encountered them in the temple at the age of 12.
“Woe to you.” Seven times Jesus hammered the Pharisees with this ominous warning – a warning underscored by the number seven that is representative of “completeness” and “wholeness.” The phrase woe, which in Greek is ouai, refers to both anger and sorrow.[4] The term woe is a dirge, a lament for the dead.[5]This time Jesus was not only extremely upset with them but He underscored woe seven times.[6] Utter destruction was in the forecast that became reality in A.D. 70. Ironically, in the Mishnah and Talmud seven kinds of Pharisees were described by other Jewish writers.[7] Centuries later rabbis recorded their own condemnation of these seven types of leading Pharisees whom Jesus condemned. The Talmud gives a brief description of each:[8] A portion is as follows:
Our rabbis have taught: There are seven types of Pharisees: the Shikmi Pharisee, the Nikpi Pharisee, the Kizai Pharisee, the ‘Pestle,’ Pharisees, the Pharisee [who constantly exclaims] ‘What is my duty that I may perform it?’ the Pharisee from love [of God] and the Pharisee from fear.
Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 22b[11]
The Jerusalem Talmud provides additional insight on these seven classifications – five bad and two good. Five bad Pharisees are:
Two good Pharisees are
As to the Pharisees from love and fear, these words are used in a manner steeped in laws and tradition. There is a sense of love of the promised heavenly rewards and fear of the punishment for transgressing the laws of the commandments.[18] However, the “love” is for the rewards and is not focused on God. The “fear” is defined as a fear of punishment and not a respectful attitude toward God. The missing element is the affectionate love and desire to know God in a personal manner. As previously stated, the Jews had concluded that, as the chosen people, they were a special privileged class before God. In reality, however, they were the chosen people for being chosen to serve Him, a calling the leadership had failed miserably to endorse.[19]
Babylonian Talmud also emphasized the cruelty of temple priests by the leading Sadducees. The Sadducean House, or Clan, of Hanan included the family of Annas (or Ananias) with his son-in-law, Caiaphas.[20] The evilness of these high priests at the time of Christ was so horrific that they were known to physically beat other priests and people with staves. This point is underscored by the fact it is mentioned in the first and last stanzas, thereby framing the poem. Unfortunately, their evilness did not end there, as the House of Kathros was a priestly family of scribes who used contracts and agreements to swindle and cheat common Jews of their hard-earned income. Ishmael was specifically identified in relationship to his father because there evidently was more than one high priest by that name and the authors of the Talmud were careful not to implicate an innocent Ishmael. This is a mid-sixth century document of first-century events that obviously occurred within the temple.
Woe is me because of the House of Beothus
woe is me because of the staves.
Woe is me because of the House of Hanan,
woe is me because of their whisperings.
Woe is me because of the House of Kathros,
woe is me because of their pens.
Woe is me because of the House of Ishmael, son of Phiabi,
woe is me because of their fists.
For they are high priests,
and their sons are treasurers,
and their sons-in-law are trustees,
and their servants beat the people with staves.
Babylonian Talmud, Pesahim 57a
Little wonder then, that Jesus reflected upon the words of a prophet. All the prophets were not only concerned about social justice, but also about the spiritual welfare of the nation that shaped and directed the culture. In this case, He quoted from the prophet Amos.
Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and to those who feel secure on the hill of Samaria — the notable people in this first of the nations, those the house of Israel comes to.Amos 6:1
The leading Pharisees and Sadducees were greatly offended that Jesus made that frontal attack on them. In this culture, this was highly offensive, of which there is no parallel in Western culture. Furthermore, the common people who heard Jesus realized that the words of Amos not only applied to his day, but were also prophetic for their time. They remembered similar words from Jeremiah who was concerned about scribes and teachers who did not follow their own teaching.
How can you claim, ‘We are wise; the law of the Lord is with us’? In fact, the lying pen of scribes has produced falsehood.
Jeremiah 8:8
13.05.02.A. A Roman Sword in the ruins of the House of Kathros. When archaeologists uncovered this first century priestly home, they found a sword, human bones, and ashes of an intense fire. The evidence supports what Josephus said in his book Wars, that on the 8th day of Elul, in A.D. 70, the Romans stormed the Upper City, set it ablaze and put its inhabitants to the sword. Wikipedia Commons.
The corrupt priesthood was not missed by Josephus either. He commented on Ananus who was the high priest only for the year 63, (the son of the Ananus who was instrumental in the crucifixion of Jesus). The historian mentioned Porcius Festus, who was the procurator of Judea and Jerusalem from A.D. 59 to 61, but had died prior to the topic below:
Now the report goes, that this elder Ananus proved a most fortunate man, for he had five sons who all performed the office of a high priest to God, and he had himself enjoyed that dignity a long time formerly, which never happened to any other of our high priests: but this younger Ananus, who, as we have told you already, took the high priesthood, was a bold man in his temper and very insolent, he was also of the sect of the Sadducees who are very rigid in judging offenders above all the rest of the Jews, as we have already observed, when, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority].
Festus was now dead and Albinus was but upon the road; so he (the younger Ananus) assembled the Sanhedrin of judges and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James and some others; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the Law, he delivered them to be stoned.
Josephus, Antiquities 20.9.1 (198-200)[21]
The corruption of the Sanhedrin and the Sadducees continued even though the leadership changed repeatedly. In this case, it was James, the brother of Jesus who was was brought before the local governor who sentenced him to death by stoning. The culture of corruption continued until the Romans slaughtered the entire Sadducean clan during the temple’s destruction.
On a side note, it is wrong to say that all the Hebrew prophets condemned the proverbial “rich and famous.” For one to have had a servant or secretary was reflective of some degree of wealth. Jeremiah had a scribe by the name of Baruch and Elijah and Elisha had their servants. Daniel, one of the most studied prophets, lived in the king’s court. However, all Hebrew prophets were highly critical of the rich who had no concern for God, the poor, and lived only for the purpose of attaining more wealth.
“You devour widows’ houses.” Since scribes wrote wills and conveyances of property, they abused the elderly and widows by conveying their properties to the temple rather than for the benefit of the families. The Greek word for devour is katesthio (2719), and it means to forcibly acquire or by appropriation.[22] Consequently, many widows lived their last years homeless and in destitute poverty. This was in direct disobedience to Exodus 22:22 which prohibited anyone from taking advantage of widows and the poor. According to Josephus, some scribes were also Pharisees who accepted bribes.[23] They, as well as the leading Pharisees, Sadducees and elders, justified their actions by their own rules. In fact, the Sadducees even had their own penal code that was considerably harsher than the penal code of the Pharisees.[24] Note the following comparison, which is one of seven (see 02.01.14.Q1):[25] The Sadducees demanded that false witnesses be put to death while the Pharisees permitted punishment by eighty scourgings.[26] This is interesting, because the Sadducees acquired false witnesses in their case against Jesus. This form of injustice was prophesied in Amos 4:5, Isaiah 29:13, and Jeremiah 12:2. Claiming to be teachers of God’s Word, these wicked men will be judged more strictly (Jas. 3:1).
“You lock up the Kingdom of Heaven.” The religious shut themselves and others out of the Kingdom of Heaven even though they paid their tithes. They paid tithes on herbs of small value (Mt. 23:23) while ignoring the more important issues of life such as caring for orphans and widows. This passage reveals the significance of obedience, love, and holiness in the sanctification process of becoming transformed into the image of God.
13.05.02.Q1 Did the Jews believe in winning the Gentiles to God?
Yes. There is evidence that they did and some scholars believe Jewish evangelism to the Gentiles began after the Maccabean Revolt. Jewish leaders were criticized by Jesus for making their new converts agents of Satan (Mt. 23:15). Had evangelism disappeared from Judaism, then Jesus would not have criticized them on this issue. On the other hand, while some sought to win Gentiles to the faith, John sought to bring Jews to righteousness (see commentary on Mt. 23:15).
The statement, “You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte,” illustrates the point that not only did the Pharisees attempt to win Gentiles to their faith, but also God-fearers,[27] Gentiles who worshiped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A proselyte (Greek: proselutos) was someone who made the conversion to Judaism and accepted all of the ceremonial laws, rules and regulations of the faith.[28] By definition, a proselyte is someone who has approached or is drawn near.[29] It is a term applied to anyone who makes a religious conversion to any faith.
As has been previously stated, within Judaism there were many religious sects. Some went to great efforts to win Gentiles to Judaism, while others believed that was a wasted effort. Yet the evangelistic efforts did produce some interesting results. But clearly, Jesus was born in a day of Jewish evangelism.[30] Note the following:
Now, during the time Izates abode at Charax-Spasini, a certain Jewish merchant, whose name was Ananias, got among women that belonged to the king, and taught them to worship God according to the Jewish religion. He, moreover, by their means, became known to Izates: and persuaded him, in like manner, to embrace that religion……it also happened that Helena, about that same time, was instructed by a certain other Jew.
Josephus, Antiquities 20.2.3 (34, 35b)
The descendants of some proselytes became very influential in the Jewish world. For example, Shemaiah and Abtalion, two highly respected teachers of the mid-first century B.C. were sons of proselytes.[36] Another teacher was Rabbi Johanan who lived in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, was the son of the Hauranite.[37] Clearly the evangelistic efforts were effective, but Jesus said that the Pharisees made them just as bad as they themselves were.
It should be noted that even though some Pharisees were very evangelistic, Jesus apparently did not give any credit for this. In fact, He condemned it saying that the converts were as bad as they were (Mt. 23:15). One Jewish scholar said this zeal for evangelism was based upon Isaiah 2:20 and Jeremiah 16:18 and peaked in the Hasmonean period (c 165 BC – 37 BC).[38] Therefore, by the time Jesus spoke on the issue, the Pharisees had a long history of evangelism that in this case, was considered to be “bad fruit.”
At the end of the Maccabean Revolt the Jews realized they had a new era of freedom and many became evangelistic because they believed this would hasten the coming of the messiah. They read prophecies such as Jeremiah 16:19 and concluded that the nations would soon come to Jerusalem to worship God. These early evangelists evidently were highly effective, as the Babylonian Talmud states that because of the growing number of converts to Judaism, many of the leaders in Jerusalem prior to Herod the Great were proselytes.[39] There were many conversions in Babylon as well.[40]
“Twice as fit for hell as you are.” The phrase literally means, “A son of hell.” This indicates that the religious leaders trained new converts to break their own biblical commands while propagating their own agendas. The phrase “son of hell” is also a Hebraism in reference to an incredibly evil and sinful person,[41] denunciation spoken centuries earlier by the prophets Isaiah (5:8ff; 10:1-5), Habakkuk (2:6ff), and others. The Pharisees made the connection. Yet not all Jews were in the category portrayed by Jesus and espoused by evangelical preachers. Jesus was speaking to a small minority of aristocratic leaders, as did the author of the Pesahim in the Babylonian Talmud. Another author of the Yebamoth section of the same Talmud wrote that those who come to the faith should first seriously consider the cost of such a decision. Note the following:
Our rabbis taught: If at the present time a man desires to become a proselyte, he is to be addressed as follows: “What reason have you for desiring to become a proselyte; do you not know that Israel at the present time is persecuted and oppressed, despised, harassed and overcome with afflictions?” If he replies, “I know and yet am unworthy,” he is accepted forthwith, and is given instruction in some of the minor and some of the major commandments. He is informed of the sin (of the neglect of the commandments) Gleanings, the Forgotten Sheaf, the Corner, and the Poor Man’s Tithe. He is also told the punishment for the transgression of the commandments. Furthermore, he is addressed thus: “Be it known to you that before you came to this condition, if you had eaten suet you would not have been punishable with kareth, if you had profaned the Sabbath you would not have been punishable with stoning; but now were you to eat suet you would be punished with kareth; were you to profane the Sabbath you would be punished with stoning.” And as he is informed of the punishment for the transgression of the commandments, so he is informed of the reward granted for their fulfillment. He is told, “Be it known to you that the world to come was made only for the righteous and that Israel at the present time is unable to bear either too much prosperity or too much suffering.” He is not, however, to be persuaded or dissuaded too much. If he accepted, he is circumcised….he is deemed to be an Israelite in all respects.
Babylonian Talmud, Yebmoth 47a, b
This hardly appears to be a passage that would lead new converts into the depths of hell. In fact, Jews throughout history have always been careful to inform new converts of the cost of becoming Jewish. Their concern for the lost was portrayed in one of their regular synagogue prayers (see the Thirteenth Benediction).[42]
The Jewish people had a blessing or benediction for nearly every aspect of life. For example, there is a benediction of thankfulness for the holiness of God (no. 3), a blessing of thankfulness for the healing of the sick (no. 8), and thankfulness for the mercy of God. However, concerning those who became followers of Jesus, first century Jews added a so-called blessing that, in reality, was a condemnation. (Compare with Lk. 11:1-4 and Mt. 6:9-15).
For apostates, let there be no hope, and the dominion of arrogance do Thou speedily root out in our days; and let the Nazoreans and the heretics perish as in a moment, let them be blotted out of the Book of the Living and let them not be written with the righteous. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who humblest the arrogant.
Twelfth Blessing of The Eighteen Benedictions[43]
After the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, the Romans permitted the Jews to open a school for biblical studies west of Jerusalem in the village of Jabneh. It was there that, according to Jewish tradition, the Eighteen Benedictions were arranged, or re-arranged by Shim’on, a cotton merchant under the direction of Rabbi Gamaliel II, although the Benedictions existed since the first century B.C. The rabbi held the position of the Patriarch after the year A.D. 80 and the Benedictions were promoted throughout the Jewish world.[44]
Finally, other rabbinic evidence that Jews were interested in the welfare of converts is also found in the Babylonian Talmud:
It was taught: “Rabbi Hanania son of Rabbi Simeon ben Gamaliel said: ‘Why are proselytes at the present time oppressed and visited with afflictions? Because they had not observed the seven Noahide Commandments?’”[45]
Rabbi Jose said: One who has become a proselyte is like a child newly born. Why then are proselytes oppressed? Because they are not so well acquainted with the details of the commandments as the Israelites.
Abba Hanan said in the name of Rabbi Eleazer: “Because they do not do it out of love, but fear.” Others said: “Because they delayed their love under the wings of the Shechinah.”
Babylonian Talmud, Yebamoth 48b-49a[46]
[1]. For further study, see Weinfeld, “The Charge of Hypocrisy in Matthew 23 and in Jewish Sources.” 52-58.
[2]. See “Chiastic Literary Structure” in Appendix 26.
[3]. Carson, “Matthew.” 8:480; Bock, Jesus According to Scripture. 343-37.
[4]. Lang, Know the Words of Jesus. 182.
[5]. Smith, Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Matthew. 157, 274.
[6]. See also 08.01.02, 09.02.02, 11.02.05, and 13.05.02-05.
[7]. See also Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 14b as cited by Boker. The Talmud: Selected Writings. 81; Stemberger. Jewish Contemporaries of Jesus: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes. 43-45.
[8]. Farrar, Life of Christ. 356-57; Barclay, “Matthew.” 2:281-85; Lightfoot, A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica. 2:73-75.
[9]. From pure and disinterested motives.
[10]. In simulated humility. Others render: who wrap themselves in their cloaks. The meaning is that hypocrisy is of no avail against the Divine Judge who reads the heart.
[11]. Weinfeld, “The Charge of Hypocrisy in Matthew and in Jewish Source.” 53.
[12]. Moseley, Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church. 106.
[13]. Jerusalem Talmud, Berakhot 14b.
[14]. Babylonian Talmud, Seder Nashim Sotah 22b, 3:112.
[15]. Moseley, Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church. 105-06.
[16]. Babylonian Talmud, Seder Nashim Sotah 22b, 3:112.
[17]. Babylonian Talmud, Seder Nashim Sotah 22b, 3:113.
[18]. Babylonian Talmud, Seder Nashim Sotah 22b, 3:113.
[19]. Moseley, Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church. 105-07.
[20]. Crossan and Reed, Excavating Jesus. 212.
[21]. Brackets by Danby, ed. Mishnah.
[22]. Vine, “Devour.” Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary. 2:166.
[23]. Josephus, Wars 1.29.2 (571-72).
[24]. Megillah, Taanith 10; Jeremias, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus. 127. This may explain why the Sadducees were before Pilate demanding a crucifixion and the Pharisees are not mentioned.
[25]. For additional examples, see 02.01.14 “Pharisees,” in particular 02.01.14.Q1 “What were the four levels of Pharisees?” as well as 02.01.16 “Sadducees.”
[26]. Mishnah, Makkoth 1.3 and 1.5; See 15.03.07.
[27]. Another reference to God-fearers is found in Acts 17:4 that refers to the devout Greeks of Thessalonica.
[28]. The Noahide Commandments were and continue to be, in the opinion of orthodox Jews, divine laws that Gentiles need to obey to obtain favor with God if they did not want to convert to Judaism. See Appendix 17 for more information.
[29]. Barclay, “Matthew.” 2:290.
[30]. See also Dugas, “The Reaction of the Hellenistic World to Judaism.” 67-73.
[31]. Josephus, Wars 2.20.2.
[32]. Moseley, Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church. 127.
[33]. Babylonain Talmud, Gittin 57b and Yoma 71b(Soncino, ed.).
[34]. Babylonain Talmud, Kiddushin 73a (Soncino, ed.).
[35]. Josephus, Antiquities 20.2.1, see also 20.2.1-4 for other conversions. Abiabene is in the area of modern Iraq and Iran where, according to tradition, the Assyrians relocated a number of the so-called ten lost tribes centuries earlier. Evidently some of the Jews of Kurdistan converted to the Christian faith, including the King, Monobaz, whose mother was Queen Helena. http://www.jcjcr.org/kyn_article_view.php?aid=20 Retrieved December 13, 2012.
[36]. Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 71b; Gittin 57b.
[37]. Mishnah, Sukkah 2.7.
[38]. Kaufmann, Matenot Ha-Kodesh. 101-15; Moseley, Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church. 125.
[39]. Babylonian Talmud, Gittim 57b; Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 71b.
[40]. Babylonian Talmud, Kidduboth 73a.
[41]. Bilbrant, “Matthew” 497.
[42]. Bailey, Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes. 94; See Appendix 18.
[43]. Boring, Berger, and Colpe, eds. Hellenistic Commentary to the New Testament. 211; Bailey, Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes. 94, 106. See also ‘The Eighteen Benedictions” in Appendix 18.
[44]. Herford, 127.
[45]. The Noahide Commandments are listed in Appendix 17.
[46]. Notice that Abba Hanan’s title of Abba, means father, and is the same title Jesus used in reference to addressing His Father in in the Lord’s Prayer.
13.05.03 Mt. 23:16-24
LEGALISTIC RELIGIOUS ATTITUDE CONDEMNED
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever takes an oath by the sanctuary, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by his oath.’ 17 Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold? 18 Also, ‘Whoever takes an oath by the altar, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gift that is on it is bound by his oath.’ 19 Blind people! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore, the one who takes an oath by the altar takes an oath by it and by everything on it. 21 The one who takes an oath by the sanctuary takes an oath by it and by Him who dwells in it. 22 And the one who takes an oath by heaven takes an oath by God’s throne and by Him who sits on it.
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law — justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others. 24 Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, yet gulp down a camel!
“You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin.” The religious leaders tithed on everything according to the Mosaic Law. If a man desired to reach the pinnacle of the Pharisee hierarchy, he had to take two vows:
Yet if there was any way they could have avoided paying tithes, they did so immediately. The concept of giving a minimum of ten percent to the temple was a religious and cultural standard. It was not even questioned and, therefore, is not addressed in the New Testament. There was no need to address a nonexistent issue.
The early church continued the practice of tithing and it became a key doctrine. Critics, who claim that tithing ceased with the Old Testament era, fail to understand the cultural and religious setting of the day. Furthermore, were tithing to have been a doctrine only of the past, then Jesus would have condemned the continued practice of it just as He did other issues of the scribes and Pharisees. Clearly, this was not anything He desired to change.[6]
The first century church continued the practice of paying tithes. But instead of tithing at the temple, these gifts were to be given in the local synagogue or to the poor. Note the following, where the pastor was known as the “prophet.”
So when you take any first fruits of what is produced by the winepress and the threshing floor, by cows and by sheep, you shall give the first fruits to the prophets, for they are your high priests.
If, however, you have no prophet (pastor), give them to the poor. If you prepare dough, take the first fruits and give them according to the commandment.
Likewise, when you open a jar of wine or oil, take the first fruits and give them to the prophets. Take the first fruits of money and clothing and whatever (else) you own as you think best and give them according to the commandment.
Didache 13:3-7[7]
Jesus confronted the Pharisees, not because they paid tithes, but because they had hearts of stone (see 02.01.14). He never rescinded the law of tithing and the practice was continued according to the Old Testament directives.
“You have neglected the more important matters of the law.” Jesus clearly affirmed that while Scripture is inspired, some laws have a higher priority than others (cf. Mt. 23:23-24; 22:38-39). He never said that every law has equal weight to every other law, and therefore, there are different degrees of punishment in the eternal lake of fire.[8]
In the phrase, “You strain out a gnat,” Jesus made an allusion to the process of making wine. Insects were always attracted to the sweet aroma of fruit juice and wine. Eventually these unwanted bugs got into the beverage and needed to be removed. The Mishnah recorded that when straining the pulp from the wine with the use of a cloth or fine wicker basket, insects were attracted to the sweet wine. Great care was taken to keep the beverage pure by straining the gnats out as recorded in Shabbath 20:2 of the Mishnah. This phrase “you strain out a gnat,” was not just a figure of speech, but an allusion to properly preparing a beverage that would be ceremonially clean since a gnat was an unclean insect. Jesus used this imagery to describe the judgmental attitudes of the Pharisees. According to Him, they were concerned about keeping the impure gnats out, but were swallowing impure camels. Jesus used a common phrase as expressed in the Jerusalem Talmud:
“He that kills a flea on the Sabbath is as guilty as if he killed a camel.”
Jerusalem Talmud, Sabbath 107[9]
[1]. Josephus spoke of corrupt priests who stole the tithes from other priests in Antiquities, 20.9.2, found herein in, “A den of robbers,” 13.02.02. He also mentioned it in Antiquities 20.8.8 as found herein in “The chief priests” in 15.02.09. See additional rules on tithing in the Mishnah, Ma’aserot 1.1 and Moed Shabbath 4.7. The point is that tithing was a well-established practice.
[2]. Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. 216.
[3]. For additional details, see 02.01.14.Q1.
[4]. Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. 215-17.
[5]. Charry, By the Renewing of Your Minds. 62.
[6]. For additional references on the doctrine of tithing, see Gen. 14:20, 28:22; Lev. 27:30; 2 Ch. 31:5; Mal. 3:8-10; Mt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42; Heb. 7:6-8.
[7]. Clarification in parenthesis mine. The Didache is a book on church order that was written within a century of the life of Jesus. For more information, see 02.02.08.
[8]. See also Mt. 10:15 in 10.01.05.
[9]. For additional Sabbath regulations, see Jubilees 50:6-13 at 02.04.06. In fact, during the early days of the Maccabean Revolt, since the Jews refused to fight on the Sabbath, the Greeks slaughtered more than a thousand men, women, and children. Thereafter they decided to defend themselves so as not to be removed from the face of the earth (1 Macc. 2:31-38).
13.05.04 Mt. 23:25-28
HYPOCRISY CONDEMNED
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence! 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so the outside of it may also become clean.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity. 28 In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
“Like whitewashed tombs.” It was the custom to have a tomb whitewashed (a mixture of water and limestone powder)[1] for one of three reasons:
Rabbinic writings specifically stated that all graves had been identified with whitewash to prevent accidental defilement. Furthermore, all graves were whitewashed in the month of Adar.[2] Uncleanness or defilement always resulted in prevention of festival observances.[3]
The backdrop to this passage is very impressive, as the western side of the Mount of Olives, which faces the temple mount, has been a cemetery for thousands of years. When Jesus used the phrase, “like whitewashed tombs,” He used it as a play on words because some leading Pharisees wore white garments so they would be perceived to be righteous and pure.[4] That is, purity (Greek katharos ) is defined within the realm of physical, religious, and ethical purity; a term that has both figurative and literal requirements of behavior.[5] They gave the impression of purity but were far from it. Therefore, Jesus said they were like whitewashed tombs: white on the outside, but like decaying bodies in their motives.
13.05.04.A. MODERN “WHITE-WASHED” TOMB. The whitewash (lime and water) of ancient times has been replaced with white paint. The tombs of significant individuals, both Arabs and Orthodox Jews, are painted white to honor them. Shown is the tomb of Rabbi Ushiva of Tiria. Photograph by the author.
Evidently the scribes and Pharisees were familiar with the expression, as it was common in their day.[6] From the Dead Sea Scrolls are similar statements written by the Essenes in their Damascus Document.
The serpents are the kings of the peoples and the wine their paths and the asps’ head is the head of the kings of Greece, which comes to carry out vengeance against them. But all these things the builders of the wall or those who daub themselves whitewash, have not understood, for one who raises wind and preaches lies, has preached to them, the one against whose congregation God’s wrath has been kindled.
Dead Sea Scroll, Damascus Document CD 8:9b-13[7]
God says: “Their wine is serpent’s venom and the head of cruel harsh asps.” The serpents are the kings of the peoples and the wine, their paths and the asps’ head is the head of the kings of Greece, which comes to carry out vengeance against them. But the builders of the wall have not understood all of those things, nor those who daub with whitewash, because one who raises up storms, and preaches lies, to the man, the one against whose congregation God’s wrath has been kindled.
Dead Sea Scroll, Damascus Document CD 19:22-27 (with reference to Deut. 32:33)[8]
These examples demonstrate the use of the term “whitewashed tombs” as one of condemnation and subject to the judgment of God. Clearly, not all Pharisees were religious hypocrites. The Apostle Paul belonged to the religious sect, even after becoming the primary evangelist of the New Testament (Phil. 3:5; Acts 23:6; 26:5), as did the now famous Jewish historian Flavius Josephus[9] and the Hasmonean King, Alexander Jannaeus. The dying words of the king (reigned 102-76 B.C.) to his wife were,
“Fear not the true Pharisees, but greatly fear the painted Pharisees.”[10]
Jannaeus also said that she should not be like:
“Painted ones, whose deeds are the deeds of Zimri, but who expect to receive the rewards of Phineas.”
Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 22b[11]
The Essenes likewise condemned the Pharisaic aristocracy for misleading the people. One of them wrote:
They lead thy people astray, for they utter smooth speeches to them. False teachers, they lead astray, and blindly they are heading for the fall, for their works are done in deceit.
Dead Sea Scroll, Thanksgiving Hymn 1QH 4:6-8[12]
Clearly the condemnation by Jesus was not unique as His words were shared by many other righteous Jews.
[1]. To make plaster, the ancients burned limestone for 72 hours until it became a heavy dust. Then they added water and placed it on the walls with a trowel. Because limestone is about thirty percent water, the burning process required considerable fuel. The result was that during the Roman period many areas were deforested. SOURCE: Interview with Arie bar David, tour guide and lecturer. August 2000.
[2]. Mishnah, Shekalin 1:1; Mishnah, Kelim 1:4; Mishnah, Moed Katan 1:2; Mishnah, Masser Sheni 5:1; Living Bible Encyclopedia 10:1255.
[3]. Mishnah, Kelim 1:4; See also Jn. 11:55; 18:28.
[4]. Josephus describes the garments of the Essenes in Wars 2.8.3. See also Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 72a; Babylonian Talmud, Shabbath 25b; Babylonian Talmud, Nedarim 20b.
[5]. Link and Schattenmann. “Pure, Clean.” 3:102-03.
[6]. Herr, “Whitewash.” 4:1058.
[7]. Martinez, ed., The Dead Sea Scrolls Translated. 38.
[8]. Martinez, ed., The Dead Sea Scrolls Translated. 45-46.
[9]. Josephus, The Life of Flavius Josephus 2.12.
[10]. Farrar, Life of Christ. 356.
[11]. Babylonian Talmud, Seder Nashim Sotah 22b, 3:113.
[12]. Martinez, ed., The Dead Sea Scrolls Translated. 317.
13.05.05 Mt. 23:29-36
JESUS CONDEMNED PERSECUTION OF GOD’S PROPHETS
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have taken part with them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ 31 You, therefore, testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ sins!
33 “Snakes! Brood of vipers! How can you escape being condemned to hell? 34 This is why I am sending you prophets, sages, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues and hound from town to town. 35 So all the righteous blood shed on the earth will be charged to you, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 I assure you: All these things will come on this generation!
“You build tombs for the prophets.” The construction of ornate tombs for murdered prophets was a vain attempt by leaders to gain atonement for their wicked sin.[1] In the Kidron Valley, at the base of the Mount of Olives, the Pharisees constructed the tombs for two prophets, Zechariah and Jehoshaphat, when Jesus spoke with them.[2] Eventually they also constructed the tomb of Absalom, a memorial for the wayward son of King David.[3]
“Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ sins.” Jesus was quite sarcastic at time, but here He was profoundly sarcastic! He essentially urged those who opposed Him to go ahead and do their worst acts against Him. To “fill up the measure of your fathers,’ as some translations say, was to bring to a head the pattern of resistance to the messengers of God.
“Snakes! Brood of vipers!” The imagery Jesus applied to them was none other than the deceptive and unclean animal – that famous serpent – in the Garden of Eden. Jesus, in a very profound manner, said that they were no different than Satan who deceived Adam and Eve, and they were likewise, deceiving the Jewish people.
It is noteworthy that, at this time, a snake was not symbolic of Satan but was symbolic of his deceptive character. (For centuries the snake had been symbol of renewed life because it sheds its skin annually.) The obvious implication is that they were deceptive, unclean, deadly leaders. It was the ultimate insult. Most certainly, their anger and bitterness were near the point of uncontrollable outrage.
Finally, at this point there has been a great deal of conversation between Jesus and His opponents, but little has been said of those who supported Him. Yet there is evidence that His popularity was increasing, such as the illegal trials at night to avoid a public response that would have been supportive of Jesus. Therefore, it is easy for readers to acquire a warped view that every Jewish person was becoming “anti-Jesus.”
13.05.05.Q1 In Matthew 23:35, did Jesus refer to Zechariah or Jehoiada?
The text clearly reads “Zechariah, son of Berechiah,” but the identity of this Zechariah (or Zecharias) has often been debated. There are twenty-seven individuals named Zechariah in the Old Testament, two of whom were martyred and Jesus obviously referred to one of them. The arrangement of Old Testament books could point to a possible conclusion that Jesus did not mean Zechariah who was the last to be martyred, but rather, Jehoiada. To explain this apparent difficulty, note that the Old Testament books are not in chronological order in either the Jewish or the Christian Bibles. The Jewish Bible begins with Genesis and ends with 2 Chronicles. According to this chronology, the righteous blood that was shed spans from Abel (Gen. 4:8) to Zachariah, the son of Barachiah, who was also known as Jehoiada (2 Ch. 24:20-22).
20 The Spirit of God took control of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood above the people and said to them, “This is what God says, ‘Why are you transgressing the Lord’s commands and you do not prosper? Because you have abandoned the Lord, He has abandoned you.’” 21 But they conspired against him and stoned him at the king’s command in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple. 22 King Joash didn’t remember the kindness that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had extended to him, but killed his son. While he was dying, he said, “May the Lord see and demand an account.”
2 Chronicles 24:20-22[4]
The Zechariah (a/k/a Zacharias) referred to by Jesus was the prophet and son of Jehoiada/Berechiah (Zech. 1:1) whose ministry ended in 480 B.C. He preached the message of Ezra and Nehemiah, that the people should follow the ways of God. However, opposition against him was great. Later, the Jews were so ashamed that their prophet was martyred in the temple that the Hesir family of priests erected a memorial-tomb for him in the late second or early first century B.C.[5]
Ironically, while Zechariah preached a return to the Jewish laws and rejection of paganism, the tomb that bears his name reflects Greek architecture and has an Egyptian-styled pyramid roof and motifs he so strongly opposed. However, there is a growing opinion among scholars that the tomb was misnamed and the rightful owner is uncertain.
13.05.05.A. THE SO-CALLED TOMB OF ZECHARIAH. The tomb design reflects both Greek and Egyptian pyramidal architecture. It is located in the Kidron Valley, between the Mount of Olives and Temple Mount. Photograph by the author.
His public ministry ended with the lament, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem …” He will not return until the Jewish leaders ask him to come by reciting the messianic greeting of Psalm 118:26. It must be noted that at that time some men had two names and Jehoiada is cited in the catalog of priests in 1 Chronicles 6. Therefore, two biblical authors could have referred to the same person who had two different names, although the connection between the names has been lost in history.[6] Therefore, it is easy for a critic to claim a possible error, when in fact, not all the connecting information is currently available.
[1]. Gilbrant, “Matthew.” 507.
[2]. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1:126.
[3]. Hachlili, Jewish Funerary Customs, Practices and Rites in the Second Temple Period. 30, 32-34, 36.
[4]. A parallel account is found in Josephus, Antiquities 9.2.3 (168-69).
[5]. Pixner, Judah. 98.
[6]. Lightfoot, A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica. 3:127-29.