Definition: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Matthew 23:15. It’s a pretty powerful and somewhat unsettling passage in the Bible. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is criticizing people who are trying to convert others – both Jewish people (like Jesus and his followers) and Pharisees (a group of religious leaders). It's saying that they’re focusing on making one person a “proselyte” – meaning, converting someone – but they're doing it in a way that’s completely wrong and ultimately leads to a bad outcome. Let’s unpack the parts: “Matthew 23:15” : This is the specific verse we’re looking at. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees…” : This refers to the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus' time. They were very important and believed in strict rules and traditions. “Woe unto you” means "you are doomed" or "you will suffer." “…hypocrites!” : This is a key word – it means they were pretending to be good, but weren’t really being true to their beliefs. They were showing off their religious rituals and laws without actually practicing them with sincerity. “for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte…” : This is the core of the verse's message. “Compass sea” means a vast, endless expanse – it suggests they’re trying to convert everyone , wherever they can find them. “Compass land” means they’re focusing on converting people in every single place. “and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell…” : This is the shocking part. It means that when they successfully convert someone, they're actually making them worse . "The child of hell" is a very strong phrase meaning someone who is corrupted by evil and destined for eternal punishment. They’re not just converting them – they are creating a being that is fundamentally flawed and doomed to sin and separation from God. In simpler terms, the verse warns against: False conversions: People trying to convert others without genuine faith or desire to follow God. Preaching hypocrisy: Showing off religious rules without truly practicing them. Focusing on outward appearances rather than inner transformation: The verse suggests that the result of their efforts is a negative outcome – creating someone who will be lost and tormented. Overall Meaning: This verse is a warning about the dangers of pride, self-righteousness, and prioritizing outward displays over genuine spiritual growth and love for God. It’s a call to humility and a focus on truly seeking God's grace rather than trying to make someone convert. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Give an example of how this verse might apply in the Bible?