All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Parallel translations
- WEB All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
- BSB So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
- NKJV Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
- NASB Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.
- NLT So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The people should heed what these leaders rightly teach from the Law, but not imitate their behavior, because they preach without practicing. It warns against hypocrisy that says one thing and does another.
Overview
Jesus distinguishes the leaders' valid teaching of God's Law from their failure to live by it. Disciples are to honor the truth they convey while rejecting their inconsistent example. This exposes the deep danger of hypocrisy and prepares for the gospel truth that true righteousness comes not from outward conformity but from a changed heart Christ alone gives.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 2 Tim 3:5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
- Titus 1:16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
- Rom 2:19–24And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
- Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
- Rom 13:1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
- Ps 50:16–20But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
- Deut 17:9–12And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:
- Matt 21:30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
- 2 Chr 30:12Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.
- Exod 18:23If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
- Exod 18:19–20Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
- Matt 15:2–9Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
- Deut 4:5Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
- Deut 5:27Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 23:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.