THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
SCRIBES AND PHARISEES: Chapter 23
The beginning of the chapter, 23,1-12, sets the scene before the woes begin in 23,13. We will consider the internal arrangment of this first part when we come to our reading.
The Woes: 23,13-36
The main section of the chapter, 23,13-36, is formed of seven woes against the scribes and Pharisees. There seems to be nothing special about the fourth middle woe as might be expected from what we have seen of circular arrangemnts. It's the third and seventh woes which are long.
I suggested looking for the repetition of words as a way of seeing the arrangement of these woes. Thus the third and fourth woes both refer to blind guides (23,16.24). The fifth woe (23,25) begins an inside-outside contrast which is taken further by the reference to tombs in the sixth woe. This is followed by the seventh and longest woe (23,27.29). Tombs may be mentioned again but in a different context to the preceeding woe. This seventh woe is the longest. Here the prophets are the key word.
As we will see, the first and second woe also form a pair.
We can therefore see the woes arranged as three pairs which are followed by the seventh as a climax. The three pairs we can read together.
The seventh woe leading into the lament over Jerusalem at the end of the chapter needs to be read as a whole, 23,29-39. Where exactly the woe ends and the internal arrangement of these verses we will consider in due course.
Yet we must remain aware of the overall unity of this sequence. Seven is the number of completeness, wholeness.
Reading Plan
We will therefore read this chapter in three pages.
- 23,1-12: The Teacher
- 23,13-28: Six Woes
- 23,29-39: Seventh woe and a lament
On the third page we will include 24,1-2 and Jesus' departure from the Temple which he entered in 21,23.
Return now to the main page so as to begin our reading.