BibleWord.ai› Bible› Matthew› Chapter 23› Verse 1

Matthew 23:1

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 23:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to his disciples,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to his disciples,
Matthew 23:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to his disciples,
2saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses seat:
3all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, [these] do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.
4Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men`s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.
← Matthew 22:46Matthew 23:2 →
← Full Chapter 23 Matthew Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, etc.] To the common people that were about him in the temple; the high priests and elders, Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees, having left him, being all nonplussed and silenced by him: and now, lest on the one hand, the people seeing the ignorance and errors of these men detected by Christ, should be tempted to conclude there was nothing in religion, and to neglect the word and worship of God, on account of the concern these men had in it; and on the other hand, because of their great authority and influence, being in Moses’s chair, lest the people should be led into bad principles and practices by them, he directs them in what they should observe them, and…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“DENUNCIATION OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES--LAMENTATION OVER JERUSALEM, AND FAREWELL TO THE TEMPLE. ( = Mar 12:38-40; Luk 20:45-47). (Mat. 23:1-39) Then spake Jesus to the multitude--to the multitudes, "and to his disciples."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then - Leaving all converse with his adversaries, whom he now left to the hardness of their hearts. Matthew 23:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:1–25:46 This final extended discourse (see study note on Matt 5:1–7:29) centers on judgment for rejecting the Messiah. 23:1 The religious leaders had sought a reason to accuse Jesus publicly (21:23–22:46) but found none. Jesus now turned to the crowds and to his disciples to openly indict the religious leaders for their numerous failures to conform to God’s righteous standards.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 15:10-20; Mar 7:14; Luk 12:1, Luk 12:57, Luk 20:45 Matthew 23:2”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Matthew 23 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification