Definition: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widowsâ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 23:14. It's a pretty serious warning about how people are living, and it’s a key part of understanding Jesus’ teachings. Here’s a simplified explanation:
What’s Happening?
Jesus is saying to the Pharisees and scribes (religious leaders) – those who read and interpret Jewish law – that they're doing something incredibly wrong. He’s calling them out for being selfish and dishonest.
Let’s unpack each part:
“Matthew 23:14”
: This is the verse itself, marking a crucial moment in Jesus’ sermon.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees…”
: "Woe unto you" is a very strong phrase meaning "you will suffer." The words “scribes” are referring to people who meticulously studied and followed Jewish law – like the laws of keeping kosher, interpreting scripture, and performing rituals. “Pharisees” are the leaders of the religious court, those who debated and interpreted the law. It’s a harsh judgment on them.
“…hypocrites!”
: This word is even more critical. It means they were acting in a way that
looked
pious or righteous but wasn't truly following God’s will. They were putting on a show, pretending to be better than they actually were.
“for ye devour widowsâ houses…”
: This is the core of the message. Jesus says they are
devouring
(meaning taking away) widows and orphans. "Households" refers to families – specifically, the families of widows and orphans. It’s a very cruel image. They're systematically taking advantage of those who are vulnerable and helpless.
“and for a pretence make long prayer…”
: They weren't praying
for
anyone; they were making long, elaborate prayers to gain attention or praise. They were using their religious authority to manipulate others, rather than genuinely seeking God’s help.
“therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.”
: This is the final, devastating part. Jesus says that because of this selfishness and dishonesty, they will receive a much harsher punishment in the afterlife – eternal separation from God. "Damnation" means utter destruction or eternal suffering.
What’s the message?
Jesus isn't saying these people are
automatically
evil. He’s pointing out their
behavior
. His point is that their actions are wrong and will lead to a much greater consequence – eternal separation from God. It’s about rejecting true love, compassion, and responsibility.
In short:
Jesus is calling out those who are being selfish, dishonest, and exploiting others' suffering with long, empty prayers. He sees this as a serious problem that will ultimately result in eternal punishment for them.
---
To help me explain it even better for
you
, could you tell me:
What specifically about this verse is confusing or interesting to you? (e.g., the imagery, the idea of "devouring," etc.)