The man of St Matthew

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Six Woes: Mt 23,13-28

Woes were a common prophetic expression in the Old Testament. They usually come in series, as for example Amos 5,18-20; 6,1-7. The woes in Matthew's series seem to be based on Isaiah 5,8-24. Looking at these OT woes (sometimes translated as "alas" or "ah" can you get an idea about the purpose of woes?

Verse 14 is omitted as an interpolation from Mk 12,40. It is not found in the best manuscripts.

Shutting the Kingdom, 1st & 2nd Woes: 23,13 & 23,15

Verse 13 opens in the Greek with a word which is omitted in most translations but is in the NRSV. Why is this word important?

The theme of the first woe is locking people out of the kingdom of heaven. See 16,19 and also 7,13-14. Who are being shut out?

How is this followed up by the 2nd woe in verse 15?

Then look at my response before we continue.

3rd Woe, Blind Guides: 23,16-22

Note there is a change of address in verse 16 and consider why. Look at 5,33-37. What is different here?

See how the woe is made up of two examples and a conclusion. Note that the two examples are presented in a similar way. Writing them down may make this clear. What is the purpose of these examples: see 15,4-6 and more clearly Mk 7,10-13.

For the first example, 23,16-17, the NRSV has the right word.

For the second example, 23,18-19, see Exodus 29,27

What therefore is the conclusion in verses 20-22?

Take another look at my my response.

4th Woe, Tithes: 23,23-24

There are a number of OT references to tithing. Have a look at Leviticus 27,30.

The weighter matters of the law are a regular theme of the prophets. See Micah 6,8 and Zechariah 7,9 as examples.

There is another reference to blind guides in verse 24. This is followed by a contrast. See Leviticus chapter 11.

5th & 6th Woes, Outside, Inside: 23,25-28

The 5th woe, verses 25-26, begins in the familiar manner. It continues refering to customs which we can find described in Mk 7,3-4. What is the message here?

The 6th woe then changes the metaphor to tombs and the bodies inside.

Consider how verse 28 is a summary of the first six woes and reflects key teachings of this Gospel: see 5,17-20.

We can take another look at my response.

We now continue our reading on the next page with the seventh woe and its sequel, 23,29-39.