Matthew 23 · a question people ask
Who is Jesus speaking to in this chapter?
Matthew says, "Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples" (23:1). In 23:2-7 he speaks of the scribes and the Pharisees as they: "for they say, and don’t do" (23:3). In 23:8-12 he says you: "But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’" (23:8). From 23:13 he says you to "scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (23:13), to "you blind guides" (23:16), and to "You blind Pharisee" (23:26). In 23:37 he says, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem". Matthew doesn't say whether every scribe or Pharisee of that day did what the woes name, and these notes don't either. They name the scribes, the Pharisees and Jerusalem only as the text names them (see Eight woes).
The verses
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, 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.”
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.”
““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.”
““Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’”