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Matthew 23:6
Verse
Context
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Summary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And love the uppermost rooms at feasts--The word "room" is now obsolete in the sense here intended. It should be "the uppermost place," that is, the place of highest honor. and the chief seats in the synagogues. See on Luk 14:7-8.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And love the uppermost rooms at feasts,.... Or the first and chief places to sit, or lie down on, at ordinary meals, and especially at large entertainments, where the great ones sat, as in Sa1 9:22 where Jarchi on the place observes, that by the manner of their sitting, it was known who was the greatest; and this the Scribes and Pharisees affected. With the Romans, the most honourable place was at the upper end of the table: some think it was more honourable to sit in the middle, but the master of the feast sat at the lower end; and to senior men, and who were venerable with age, or excelled in prudence and authority, the first sitting down, and the more honourable place, were given; and when the table was taken away, they used to rise first (a): the middle place was the more honourable with the Numidians (b), and so it seems to be with the Romans (c), and also with the Jews; and this the Scribes and Pharisees loved, desired, sought for, and were pleased if they had not it. It is said (d) of Simeon ben Shetach, a noted Pharisee, about, or rather before the time of Christ, that having fled upon a certain account from king Jannai, he sent for him, and when he came, "he sat himself between the king and the queen: the king said to him, why dost thou mock me? he replied to him, I do not mock thee, thou hast riches and I have learning, as it is written, "Wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence", Ecc 7:12. He said to him, but why dost thou "sit between the king and queen?" He replied, in the book of Ben Sira, it is written, "Exalt her and she shall promote thee, and cause thee to sit among princes." He ordered to give him a cup, that he might ask a blessing; he took the cup and said, blessed be the food that Jannai and his friends eat.'' Thus on account of their wisdom and learning, they thought they had a right to take the upper hand of kings themselves: and the chief seats in the synagogues; for these were different; the seats of the senior men were turned towards the people, and the backs of them were towards the ark or chest, in which the holy books were put; and these seem to be what the Scribes and Pharisees coveted, that they might be in the full view of the people. And so says Maimonides (e), "How do the people sit in the synagogues?" "The elders sit, i.e. first, and their faces are towards the people, and their backs are to the temple, or holy place; and all the people sit in rows, and the faces of one row are to the backs of the row that is before them; so that the faces of all the people are to the holy place, and to the elders, and to the ark.'' (a) Alex. ab Alex. Genial Dier. l. 5. c. 21. (b) Sallust. Bell. Jugurth. p. 45. (c) Vid. Alstorph. de lect. vet. p. 117. Minut. Felix, p. 3, 4. (d) T. Hieros. Betacot, fol. 11. 2. Beresh. Rabba, sect. 91. fol. 78. 4. (e) Hilchot Tephilla, c. 11. sect. 4.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:6 The seats of honor in the synagogues were near the scrolls of the Torah and facing the congregation.
Matthew 23:6
Woes to Scribes and Pharisees
5All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.6They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, 7the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Nigeria - Part 2
By Andrew Strom2.9K15:59NigeriaMAT 23:6In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of pride and self-promotion among church leaders. He emphasizes the need for humility and servanthood in the Christian faith. The speaker criticizes the influence of American culture on Nigerian churches, where leaders often seek power and recognition. He refers to Jesus' teachings in Matthew 23, warning against the attitudes of the scribes and Pharisees who loved to be seen and praised. The speaker encourages church leaders to repent of pride and to focus on promoting Jesus rather than themselves.
Christ Is All - in Scripture
By Bill McLeod1.6K46:28Fulness Of ChristPSA 2:10PSA 40:7PSA 41:9MAT 1:21MAT 28:19MRK 14:62COL 3:11TIT 3:7PHM 1:1In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing Mark 16 and Luke 1 from the Bible. He highlights how Jesus reproached his disciples for their lack of belief in his resurrection and then commanded them to preach the gospel to the world. The speaker also mentions that some versions of the Bible omit miracles and end with Jesus' death on the cross, portraying him as a good man and advocate of peace. However, the speaker emphasizes that the Bible is truly all about Jesus and explores the significance of his ministry and his role as the Son of God.
The Apostate Clergymen
By James R. Hamilton96150:32ClergymenMAT 23:6MAT 23:23LUK 11:37LUK 20:46In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the danger of focusing on presentation and humor rather than the message of the Gospel. He criticizes the tendency to prioritize impressiveness and jokes over the Word of God. The speaker also highlights the importance of giving generously and having grace in one's heart. He warns against neglecting justice, love, and righteousness in favor of obsessing over minor details. Additionally, the speaker condemns the guilt of keeping the word of God from the nation of Israel and hindering their salvation.
Compared View of the First Three Gospels, Etc.
By John Nelson Darby0The GospelsChrist's MinistryMAT 1:1MAT 4:17MAT 5:1MAT 9:35MAT 11:28MAT 28:19MRK 1:14LUK 3:23LUK 4:18John Nelson Darby discusses the distinct characteristics and purposes of the first three Gospels, emphasizing that Mark presents a chronological account of Christ's service, while Matthew focuses on the presentation of Jesus as the Messiah and the implications of His rejection. He notes that Luke, while generally following Mark's order, includes moral teachings that are unique to his Gospel. Darby highlights the importance of understanding the genealogies and the context of Christ's ministry, particularly in relation to Israel's expectations and the establishment of the church. He concludes that the Gospels collectively reveal the nature of Christ's mission and the unfolding of God's plan for humanity.
Pharisees Love Positions and Titles of Honour
By Zac Poonen0Servant LeadershipHumilityMAT 23:6Zac Poonen addresses the issue of pride and the desire for honor among church leaders, particularly highlighting the behavior of Pharisees who seek prominent positions and titles. He warns against allowing oneself to be placed on a pedestal, emphasizing that true leadership comes from serving others rather than seeking recognition. Poonen encourages believers to rely solely on Christ as their leader and to seek God's guidance rather than following human authority. He critiques the modern-day equivalents of Pharisees who impose their authority on others, urging a return to the freedom of the Spirit over legalism.
Epistle 42
By George Fox0Discernment of False TeachersLiving in the LightJER 5:31EZK 34:8MAT 23:6JHN 1:9JHN 3:19JHN 8:12JHN 10:12ROM 8:142CO 5:172JN 1:7JUD 1:11George Fox addresses all Friends scattered abroad, urging them to dwell in the light that comes from Christ, which enables them to see Him as their Savior and grow in Him. He emphasizes that those who are in Christ are new creations, free from condemnation, and are led by the Spirit to discern the deceivers and antichrists in the world. Fox warns against false teachers and prophets who exploit the people and highlights the importance of walking in the light to receive the light of life. He reiterates that the light reveals the true nature of those who oppose it and condemns their actions. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to the light, which brings clarity and truth amidst the darkness.
1 John 2:16
By John Gill0Worldly DesiresSpiritual FulfillmentPSA 119:37ECC 1:8ECC 2:1ECC 4:8MAT 5:28MAT 23:61JN 2:16John Gill emphasizes the dangers of worldly desires as outlined in 1 John 2:16, warning against the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. He explains that these desires lead to sin and ultimately to destruction, highlighting that they are not from God but from the world. Gill urges believers to recognize the emptiness of these pursuits and to avoid loving the world, as true fulfillment comes from God alone. He stresses that the things of this world are vain and should not capture the hearts of the faithful.
Steering by Gods Compass
By A.W. Tozer0MAT 6:5MAT 10:37MAT 23:6MAT 26:48MRK 14:44LUK 20:46LUK 22:47JHN 5:20JHN 11:3JHN 12:25JHN 15:19JHN 16:27JHN 20:2JHN 21:151CO 16:22TIT 3:15REV 3:19REV 22:15In this sermon on love, the preacher delves into the concept of 'phileo' love, which is a friendship type of love based on emotions and personal attachment. 'Phileo' is a love that expects a response and is often seen in relationships where there is mutual affection and delight. This type of love is described as a warm affection that requires attention and thrives on a reciprocal nature. While 'phileo' love is conditional and based on finding qualities in another person admirable, 'agapao' love is selfless and originates from a sense of the preciousness of the object loved.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And love the uppermost rooms at feasts--The word "room" is now obsolete in the sense here intended. It should be "the uppermost place," that is, the place of highest honor. and the chief seats in the synagogues. See on Luk 14:7-8.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And love the uppermost rooms at feasts,.... Or the first and chief places to sit, or lie down on, at ordinary meals, and especially at large entertainments, where the great ones sat, as in Sa1 9:22 where Jarchi on the place observes, that by the manner of their sitting, it was known who was the greatest; and this the Scribes and Pharisees affected. With the Romans, the most honourable place was at the upper end of the table: some think it was more honourable to sit in the middle, but the master of the feast sat at the lower end; and to senior men, and who were venerable with age, or excelled in prudence and authority, the first sitting down, and the more honourable place, were given; and when the table was taken away, they used to rise first (a): the middle place was the more honourable with the Numidians (b), and so it seems to be with the Romans (c), and also with the Jews; and this the Scribes and Pharisees loved, desired, sought for, and were pleased if they had not it. It is said (d) of Simeon ben Shetach, a noted Pharisee, about, or rather before the time of Christ, that having fled upon a certain account from king Jannai, he sent for him, and when he came, "he sat himself between the king and the queen: the king said to him, why dost thou mock me? he replied to him, I do not mock thee, thou hast riches and I have learning, as it is written, "Wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence", Ecc 7:12. He said to him, but why dost thou "sit between the king and queen?" He replied, in the book of Ben Sira, it is written, "Exalt her and she shall promote thee, and cause thee to sit among princes." He ordered to give him a cup, that he might ask a blessing; he took the cup and said, blessed be the food that Jannai and his friends eat.'' Thus on account of their wisdom and learning, they thought they had a right to take the upper hand of kings themselves: and the chief seats in the synagogues; for these were different; the seats of the senior men were turned towards the people, and the backs of them were towards the ark or chest, in which the holy books were put; and these seem to be what the Scribes and Pharisees coveted, that they might be in the full view of the people. And so says Maimonides (e), "How do the people sit in the synagogues?" "The elders sit, i.e. first, and their faces are towards the people, and their backs are to the temple, or holy place; and all the people sit in rows, and the faces of one row are to the backs of the row that is before them; so that the faces of all the people are to the holy place, and to the elders, and to the ark.'' (a) Alex. ab Alex. Genial Dier. l. 5. c. 21. (b) Sallust. Bell. Jugurth. p. 45. (c) Vid. Alstorph. de lect. vet. p. 117. Minut. Felix, p. 3, 4. (d) T. Hieros. Betacot, fol. 11. 2. Beresh. Rabba, sect. 91. fol. 78. 4. (e) Hilchot Tephilla, c. 11. sect. 4.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:6 The seats of honor in the synagogues were near the scrolls of the Torah and facing the congregation.