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Matthew 23 · a question people ask

What is "Moses’ seat" (23:2), and does Jesus tell them to do all that the scribes and Pharisees say?

In the text

Matthew gives Jesus's words and doesn't explain them: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do." (23:2-3). Matthew doesn't say what "Moses’ seat" is beyond these words, or which things they tell them to observe. These notes add no explanation from outside the text, and apply 23:2-3 to no church's titles, offices or teachers today.

The verses

“saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.”
Matthew 23:2-3 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Matthew 23

Matthew 23: Woe to you

Jesus tells the multitudes and his disciples to "observe and do" what the scribes and Pharisees tell them, "but don’t do their works" (23:3). Seven of his eight woes are to "scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!", and one is to "you blind guides" (23:16). And the verb of "I send to you prophets" (23:34) is the verb of "those who are sent to her" (23:37).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions