TRANSLATION MATTHEW 23:

Then Jesus told the crowds and his pupils, “The legal experts and the pharisees sit in Moses’ chair; so you should do everything they tell you, and hold it in honour. But do not act according to their actions for they do not practice what they preach. They bind together weighty loads that are hard to carry, and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to shift them. Everything they do is done to be seen by people, for they make their text-boxes broad and their tassels long. They love the top places at banquets, and chief seats in synagogues., They love respectful greetings in the marketplaces and to be called Rabbi by people.

But you are not to be called Rabbi for you have one teacher and you are all brothers; you are not to call anyone “Father” on earth, for you have one father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called “Master,” for you have one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant, and whoever lifts himself high will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be lifted high.

.

Having defeated the religious leaders in argument Jesus is depicted as summarising his rejection of their behaviour. He has not been engaged in a personal power struggle with them, but rather in a prophetic rejection of their “play-acting” namely their use of pious behaviours to gain social and religious power. Although Jesus’ criticisms are specific, he paints a devastating picture of corrupt religious leadership in all times and places..

He is concerned that his own pupils should not be similarly corrupted, listing the main signs. of corruption

They don’t practice what they preach

They invent over-strict rules for others that they do not keep

They show off their piety in public to gain respect, for example flaunting the leather cases which contain biblical texts, and exaggerated tassels on their robes to indicate holiness.

They court public respect at social and religious events, and even in the city streets. In particular they want to be known as Rabbi (literally “my great one”, term which was coming into vogue for Pharisees in Matthew’s time)

Jesus then forbids certain titles of respect to be used by his pupils.

Rabbi: only Jesus is their master; they are all brothers (and sisters?)

Father: Only God is their father.

Teacher: Only the Messiah is their teacher.

Greatness amongst Jesus’ pupils is characterised by service and humility.

When I read this passage to the congregation wearing my special collar, gown and stole, sometimes standing in a pulpit six feet above contradiction, and reflect that I like being recognised as a minister, I reckon that Jesus has got my number. On the whole Jesus didn’t have much time for religion, preferring obedience to the great commandments. (see blog 109)