Matthew 23:1–39 recounts the moment when Jesus pronounces woes to the Pharisees.
Jesus never condemned sinners who knew their need for grace, but He had strong words for religious leaders who pretended to be righteous. In this context, Jesus pronounces woes to the Pharisees, highlighting their hypocritical ways.
In this powerful interaction, Jesus exposes hypocrisy, warns the crowds, and invites us into humble and authentic faith. By studying how Jesus pronounced these woes, we see His call for an inward transformation rather than outward appearances.
Matthew 23:1–39 (NASB 2020, selected)
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 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. […] 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter it yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. […] 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness… […] 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. […] 37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.”
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
- The crowds and His disciples
- The scribes and Pharisees
- Religious people today who may struggle with performance over purity as they reflect on why Jesus pronounces these woes.
What Happened?
- Jesus warns the crowd not to imitate the Pharisees
- He accuses the Pharisees of hypocrisy—preaching but not practicing
- Jesus lists seven woes, each exposing a deep issue of the heart:
- Blocking others from God
- Prioritizing appearances
- Neglecting justice and mercy
- Being inwardly corrupt while appearing righteous
- He laments over Jerusalem, mourning its rejection of Him
The Mood: Bold, Grieved, Passionate
- Jesus speaks with prophetic authority
- He exposes sin but also expresses deep sorrow
- The tone is heartbroken but urgent
The Principle: Religion Without Relationship is Death
- Outward religion cannot substitute for inward transformation
- Justice, mercy, and faithfulness matter more than rituals
- God desires authenticity, not appearances
- Spiritual leadership must be humble and sacrificial, not self-serving, which is evident as Jesus pronounces woes to the Pharisees.
Audience Response (Then)
- The crowds were likely shocked but affirmed
- The Pharisees became increasingly hostile
- The disciples would later remember this as a warning for their own leadership
What This Means for Us in 2025
- It’s easy to act spiritual without actually being surrendered
- The world doesn’t need more performance—it needs authenticity as Jesus pronounces woes to the Pharisees in a timeless lesson.
- Jesus still wants to gather His people, but we must be willing
Ask yourself:
- Am I more concerned with how I appear or how I love?
- Do I live out what I say I believe?
Action Steps for Today
- Repent of hypocrisy. God loves humility.
- Practice what you preach—integrity matters.
- Focus on the essentials—justice, mercy, faithfulness.
- Don’t block others from Jesus. Be a bridge, not a barrier.
- Let Jesus gather you. Don’t resist His call, reminding us of how Jesus pronounces woes to the hypocritical Pharisees.
Final Prayer
Jesus, thank You for exposing what You hate so we can embrace what You love. Forgive me for the times I’ve acted more spiritual than I truly was. Help me walk in humility, truth, and love. Let my life draw others to You, not away. In Your name, Amen.
When you live authentically before God, your life becomes a testimony of grace, not a performance of religion. The message of Jesus pronounces woes to the Pharisees still resonates today.
