Matthew 23:1-12 Meaning: How to Follow When Leaders Fail
1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,
2saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat.
3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
4For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them.
5But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments,
6and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
8But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
9Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.
10Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.
11But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
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.
5But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi.
8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren.
9And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven.
10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even the Christ.
11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
1Then Jesus spake to the multitudes, and to his disciples,
2saying, `On the seat of Moses sat down the scribes and the Pharisees;
3all, then, as much as they may say to you to observe, observe and do, but according to their works do not, for they say, and do not;
4for they bind together burdens heavy and grievous to be borne, and lay upon the shoulders of men, but with their finger they will not move them.
5`And all their works they do to be seen by men, and they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the fringes of their garments,
6they love also the chief couches in the supper, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7and the salutations in the market-places, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8`And ye--ye may not be called Rabbi, for one is your director--the Christ, and all ye are brethren;
9and ye may not call any your father on the earth, for one is your Father, who is in the heavens,
10nor may ye be called directors, for one is your director--the Christ.
11And the greater of you shall be your ministrant,
12and whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
1Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,
2saying, The scribes and the Pharisees have set themselves down in Moses' seat:
3all things therefore, whatever they may tell you, do and keep. But do not after their works, for they say and do not,
4but bind burdens heavy and hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of men, but will not move them with their finger.
5And all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders [of their garments],
6and love the chief place in feasts and the first seats in the synagogues,
7and salutations in the market-places, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8But ye, be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your instructor, and all ye are brethren.
9And call not [any one] your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, he who is in the heavens.
10Neither be called instructors, for one is your instructor, the Christ.
11But the greatest of you shall be your servant.
12And whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus teaches to obey God's Word even when leaders are hypocritical, and to pursue humble service over titles and recognition.
Context
This passage comes near the end of Jesus’ public ministry, in the temple courts of Jerusalem. He has just silenced the Sadducees and Pharisees with his answers, and now he turns to the crowds and his disciples. The chapter contains some of the strongest words Jesus ever spoke against the religious leaders of his day. But before he pronounces seven woes on them, he gives this careful instruction: honour what they teach from Scripture, but do not imitate their lives. In one breath he upholds the authority of God’s Word and tears down the hypocrisy of those who claim to represent it. The rest of this chapter shows what happens when religious leadership becomes a performance.
Key Words
Three Greek words help us see what Jesus is doing here. First, kathedra, “Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2). This was not a literal piece of furniture, but a symbol of teaching authority. Jesus acknowledges the scribes and Pharisees sit in that chair, meaning their job was to explain the law of Moses. He does not deny their office, even though he will expose their failures.
Second, phulaktērion, “phylacteries” (Matthew 23:5). These were small leather boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on the forehead and arm as a literal reading of Exodus 13:16. The word itself means “a guard” or “protective charm.” Jesus points out that these leaders made their phylacteries broad, not to remember God’s word, but to be seen as pious. The external sign had become a costume.
Third, diakonos, “servant” (Matthew 23:11). This is the same word that later becomes “deacon.” Jesus flips the social ladder: the greatest among you will be the one who serves, not the one who collects titles. True greatness looks like a towel and a basin, not a broad phylactery.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have wrestled with this passage. Reformed commentators like John Calvin emphasized that Jesus was not abolishing teaching authority, but condemning the pride that turns it into tyranny. Methodist scholar Adam Clarke noted that the scribes and Pharisees once held their office by divine appointment, but had corrupted it with human traditions.
Anglican interpreters (such as the Cambridge Bible) point out that the titles “Rabbi,” “father,” and “master” reflect specific roles in Jewish society, and Jesus’ warning is against claiming the ultimate authority that belongs to God alone. Many traditions have used these verses to caution against the use of honorific titles in the church, while others see them as primarily about the heart attitude, not the word itself.
Historic Christian teaching holds that Jesus here protects the flock from leaders who use their position for self-glory. He redirects all eyes back to the one true Teacher, Father, and Master.
A common misunderstanding
Many readers take Jesus’ words “call no man your father on the earth” (Matthew 23:9) as a command never to call your dad “father.” In fact, Jesus is not forbidding the ordinary use of family terms. The context shows he is condemning the use of such titles as claims of spiritual authority that belong only to God. Jewish teachers were called “father” as a sign of absolute authority over a disciple’s faith. Jesus says that kind of authority, making yourself the source of truth, belongs to God alone. Children are still free to call their fathers “father.”
Living This Out
This week, you may see hypocrisy in a church leader, a politician, or someone you respect. That disappointment is real, and Jesus shares it. But notice he does not say, “Ignore everything they teach because they are hypocrites.” He says: hold on to the truth, even when the messenger is flawed. The more difficult command is to look at your own life. Are you tempted to enlarge your own phylacteries, to make your faith visible for the wrong reasons? Try this: do one good thing this week that no one will know about. Let your left hand not know what your right hand is doing. That is the kind of greatness Jesus calls great.
Main takeaway: True greatness in God’s kingdom comes through humble service, not through titles or outward shows of piety.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus said to obey what the teachers say from the Bible, but don’t copy them if they don’t do what they teach. The most important people are not the ones with big titles, but the ones who help others.
For ages 9, 12
In this passage, Jesus points out something dangerous: pretending to be holy on the outside while ignoring God on the inside. He says even if a leader is a hypocrite, you should still listen to God’s Word when it is taught. But he warns us not to love titles or the spotlight. The way up in God’s kingdom is the way down, by serving others. Ask yourself: do I want people to think I am good, or do I actually want to be good for God?
Questions People Ask
Why does Jesus tell people to obey the Pharisees if they were hypocrites?
Jesus distinguishes between the message and the messenger. The Pharisees sat in Moses’ seat, meaning they taught from the law of God. Jesus says to obey what is consistent with Scripture, but not to imitate their hypocrisy. The truth of God’s Word remains true even when the person teaching it is flawed.
What does it mean to sit in Moses’ seat?
Moses’ seat was a symbolic expression for the teaching authority of the scribes and Pharisees. They were the recognized interpreters of the law of Moses. Sitting was the posture of a teacher in the synagogue. Jesus uses this phrase to acknowledge their official role, even as he condemns their personal conduct.
Does Jesus forbid calling anyone ‘father’ or ‘teacher’?
Jesus is not forbidding the use of these words in ordinary family or educational settings. He is warning against claiming the unique authority that belongs only to God. In Jewish culture, calling someone “father” implied a spiritual authority that makes disciples dependent on a human leader. Jesus says that kind of ultimate authority belongs to God alone.
What are phylacteries and why did Jesus criticize them?
Phylacteries were small leather boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on the forehead and arm as a literal obedience to Exodus 13:16. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for making them broad to attract attention. The problem was not wearing them, but doing it for show instead of for genuine devotion.
What is the main lesson of Matthew 23:1-12?
The central lesson is that true greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by humble service, not by titles, recognition, or outward religious displays. Jesus calls his followers to listen to Scripture even when leaders fail, and to seek a lowly path of serving others.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study