Jesus Disapproves of the Example Set by the Jewish Leaders^(A)

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² “The experts in Moses’ Teachings and the Pharisees teach with Moses’ authority. ³ So be careful to do everything they tell you. But don’t follow their example, because they don’t practice what they preach. ⁴ They make loads that are hard to carry and lay them on the shoulders of the people. However, they are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

⁵ “They do everything to attract people’s attention. They make their headbands large and the tassels on their shawls long. ⁶ They love the place of honor at dinners and the front seats in synagogues. ⁷ They love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have people call them Rabbi. ⁸ But don’t make others call you Rabbi, because you have only one teacher, and you are all followers. ⁹ And don’t call anyone on earth your father, because you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰ Don’t make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah. ¹¹ The person who is greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored.

³⁷ David calls him Lord. So how can he be his son?”

Jesus Disapproves of the Example Set by the Experts in Moses’ Teachings^(A)

The large crowd enjoyed listening to him. ³⁸ As he taught, he said, “Watch out for the experts in Moses’ Teachings! They like to walk around in long robes, to be greeted in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and to have the front seats in synagogues and the places of honor at dinners. ⁴⁰ They rob widows by taking their houses and then say long prayers to make themselves look good. The experts in Moses’ Teachings will receive the most severe punishment.”