Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
(From Constable's Commentary) “We should understand His words here as ironical.”
v.3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
(From Constable's Commentary) “We should understand His words here as ironical.”
v.8 But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.
(From the Message) Don’t set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do.
It is not just that people in authority would like to boss others around, it is that some people want someone else to take responsibility for them and make decisions for them. They set people up as experts on their life to avoid responsibility.
v.8 But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.
(From the Message) Don’t set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do.
It is not just that people in authority would like to boss others around, it is that some people want someone else to take responsibility for them and make decisions for them. They set people up as experts on their life to avoid responsibility.
v.11 The greatest among you will be your servant.
It takes greatness to be a servant. Great in love, great in forgiveness, great in not being offended.
v.11 The greatest among you will be your servant.
It takes greatness to be a servant. Great in love, great in forgiveness, great in not being offended.
v.13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
The theme of the seven “woes” is hypocrisy.
(From Constable Commentary) “It is significant that He (Jesus) singled them (Pharisees) out, as opposed to the Sadducees, who were more liberal, and the Herodians, who were the politicians. The Pharisees, while attempting to honor the Word of God and manifesting an extreme form of religious observance, were actually the farthest from God."
v.13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
The theme of the seven “woes” is hypocrisy.
(From Constable Commentary) “It is significant that He (Jesus) singled them (Pharisees) out, as opposed to the Sadducees, who were more liberal, and the Herodians, who were the politicians. The Pharisees, while attempting to honor the Word of God and manifesting an extreme form of religious observance, were actually the farthest from God."
v.35 And so upon you will come…(v.39)…until…
Meaning on that generation, not on the entire Jewish race.
v.35 And so upon you will come…(v.39)…until…
Meaning on that generation, not on the entire Jewish race.
v.37 …how often I have longed…but you were not willing.
Jesus’ heart was for reconciliation but the Pharisees would not accept it.
v.37 …how often I have longed…but you were not willing.
Jesus’ heart was for reconciliation but the Pharisees would not accept it.