Jesus Loves Jerusalem

Topic: Corruption
Passage: Matthew 23:27–39

February 16, 2022

Commentary

In our next woe Jesus gives an analogy of the Pharisees who appeared righteous on the outside. (like unto whitewashed tombs) however they were corrupt and decaying on the inside (vv. 27-32). It was a tradition for the Pharisees to build and decorate the tombs of the martyrs. However, it was their spiritual fathers who killed the martyrs. Notice several contrasts between Jesus’ teaching and the teaching of the Pharisees:

  1. Jesus taught spiritual life, but the Pharisees taught rules
  2. Jesus measured spirituality by character, but the Pharisees measured it by activity
  3. Jesus taught humility, but the Pharisees demonstrated pride.
  4. Jesus emphasized the inner man, but the Pharisees concentrated on the externals.
  5. Jesus glorified His Father, but the Pharisees sought glory for themselves.

The generation to which these words were addressed represented the culminating point of the whole sinful history of the nation: from the murder of Abel (Gen 4; Heb 11:4) to the murder of Zachariah, son of Barachiah (Zachariah 1:1) the Prophet who lived during the return from exile and the building of the second temple in Jerusalem. As some New Testament manuscripts omit the phrase “son of Barachiah”, Jesus may have been referring to the Zachariah, son of Jehoiada, who was stoned to death in Solomon’s temple court (II Chronicles 24:20-21), “between the sanctuary and the alter”. As we lack an Old Testament cross-reference, we cannot know for sure, but the message is the same either way: throughout Israel’s history, they killed their prophets rather than heed them, whether they be standing in Solomon’s temple, Zerubbabel’s, or Herod’s. God’s greatest desire for us is always to develop and nurture a growing, satisfying relationship with Him. But we make the choice whether we will allow Him to fulfill His purpose in our lives.

Application

The Pharisees wanted the glory that comes from men instead of giving all the glory to God. It is easy to be like the Pharisees in this way. I often want to take credit when I do something well, but I should be giving the glory in all things to God who enables me to act.

Matthew 23:27–39 (NET)

27 “Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you look righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29 “Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have participated with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 By saying this you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up then the measure of your ancestors! 33 You snakes, you offspring of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?

34 “For this reason I am sending you prophets and wise men and experts in the law, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, 35 so that on you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 I tell you the truth, this generation will be held responsible for all these things!

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would have none of it! 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate! 39 For I tell you, you will not see me from now until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

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