So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.
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.
- KJV All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
- 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.
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 3:5holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
- Titus 1:16They profess that they know God, but by their deeds they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
- Rom 2:19–24and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
- Acts 5:29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
- Rom 13:1Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
- Ps 50:16–20But to the wicked God says, “What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips,
- Deut 17:9–12You shall come to the priests who are Levites, and to the judge who shall be in those days. You shall inquire, and they shall give you the verdict.
- Matt 21:30He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but he didn’t go.
- 2 Chr 30:12Also the hand of God came on Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by Yahweh’s word.
- Exod 18:23If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”
- Exod 18:19–20Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.
- Matt 15:2–9“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
- Deut 4:5Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Yahweh my God commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land where you go in to possess it.
- Deut 5:27Go near, and hear all that Yahweh our God shall say, and tell us all that Yahweh our God tells you; 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.