Mateus 23
Leon Morris · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 23
Morris - The point is that no man should be regarded or addressed as an authoritative spiritual master, playing a role equal to that of our heavenly Father or even as an intermediary between us and Him. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5+). The same would apply to any other title or position (Rabbi, Master, Doctor, Reverend) which might imply spiritual authority or power above that of ordinary believers, all of whom have been made "kings and priests unto God and his Father" (Rev 1:6+, Rev 5:10+). For (gar - term of explanation) One is your Father (pater), He who is in heaven (ouranios) - Jesus is explaining what He means that they are not to call anyone on earth their father. The disciples have only only one true spiritual Father, God. Clearly Jesus is not forbidding using the word father for one's biological father. And He is not forbidding using "father" to describe a spiritual mentor. Paul used the term father in 1 Corinthians 4:15+ explaining to the Corinthians "if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel." Who is in heaven emphasizes the transcendence of God. Believer's Study Bible notes that "The Aramaic abba, "father," was not used by orthodox Jews to refer to God because the designation was too familiar and intimate. However, Jesus taught His disciples to use it as a form of addressing God. The caution is to reserve it to address God and not just as an everyday title of courtesy. Heaven (3770)(ouranios from ouranos) mean heavenly, coming from or living in heaven. Celestial. Belonging to heaven. Ouranios speaks of of what dwells in heaven, comes from it, or appears in it. A heavenly host of angels (Luke 2:13); a heavenly vision (Acts 26:19). "Heavenly Father" occurs only in Matthew (Mt. 6:14, 26, 32; 15:13). OURANIOS - 9V - heaven(1), heavenly(8). Matt. 5:48; Matt. 6:14; Matt. 6:26; Matt. 6:32; Matt. 15:13; Matt. 18:35; Matt. 23:9; Lk. 2:13; Acts 26:19 QUESTION - Did Jesus mean that we should never refer to our earthly father as “father” (Matthew 23:9)? GOTQUESTIONS.ORG ANSWER - Religious hypocrites will do almost anything for attention. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, they love to be seated in high positions where they will be seen and honored above everyone else. In His final discourse, Jesus dealt with the vain hypocrisy of Israel’s religious leaders and warned His followers not to be like them: “But as for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven. And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master, the Messiah” (Matthew 23:8–10 HCSB). These instructions came on the heels of Christ’s scathing description of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1–12), condemning their fixation with status, positions of importance, and titles of honor such as Father, Rabbi, Teacher, and Master (verses 5–7). Many of these Jewish leaders flaunted their high appointments. In essence, they made idols of themselves and insisted that others bow down and worship them. Jesus commanded His disciples to be different. Instead of striving for personal glory and public recognition, followers of Jesus are to humble themselves before God and people (Luke 14:9–11; Colossians 3:12; James 4:10; 1 Peter 3:8; 5:6). Jesus taught that the greatest in His kingdom are meek and modest servants (Matthew 20:26; 23:11; Luke 9:48; 22:26–27). Genuine kingdom seekers don’t demand recognition but instead desire God alone to be glorified (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 4:11). Jesus said, “Do not call anyone father,” not as a blanket injunction against the use of such titles but as an exhortation to humility. The Bible tells us to “honor your father and your mother,” so it’s certainly not wrong to call one’s earthly father by that name (see Exodus 20:12; Hebrews 12:9). Likewise, the respectful and affectionate title “father” was often used in Bible times for elders and teachers (see 2 Kings 6:21; 13:14; Acts 7:2; 22:1). The apostle Paul saw himself as a spiritual father figure to those he had led to Christ and nurtured in the faith (1 Corinthians 4:14–15; Philippians 2:22; 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4), but he never insisted that anyone call him by the title “father.” Instead, Paul acknowledged his lowly place as “less than the least of all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 3:7–8; see also 1 Corinthians 15:9–10; 1 Timothy 1:12–16). Jesus also wasn’t teaching that there should never be positions of authority in the body of Christ. Rather, He emphasized that all leadership roles in the church should be seen as opportunities to serve the Lord and others. It is inappropriate and unbiblical to put human spiritual leaders onto pedestals. Scripture shows that all Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ (Matthew 23:8; Philemon 16; 1 Timothy 6:2). Ultimately, God in heaven is the only One who has the right to be called our Father (Matthew 6:9), and only He is holy and worthy of exaltation (1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 6:3; 43:15; Revelation 4:8; 15:4). Only Jesus is our Master (Luke 17:13; Colossians 4:1), and the Holy Spirit our Teacher (John 14:26). Believers are told, “Do not call anyone father,” because anyone who assumes the title in arrogance and self-promotion will have to contend with God the Father. True spiritual leaders are unpretentious enough to recognize that any wisdom or knowledge they possess is a gracious gift from God. Although the Pharisees exalted themselves, they would one day be humbled (Isaiah 2:11–12; 5:15; Ezekiel 21:26), and disciples of Jesus Christ, who humble themselves in service, will be exalted in God’s time (Matthew 23:12). Matthew 23:10 “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. KJV Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. BGT Matthew 23:10 μηδὲ κληθῆτε καθηγηταί, ὅτι καθηγητὴς ὑμῶν ἐστιν εἷς ὁ Χριστός. NET Matthew 23:10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one teacher, the Christ. CSB Matthew 23:10 And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master, the Messiah. ESV Matthew 23:10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. NIV Matthew 23:10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. NLT Matthew 23:10 And don't let anyone call you 'Teacher,' for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. YLT Matthew 23:10 nor may ye be called directors, for one is your director -- the Christ. MIT Matthew 23:10 Neither are you to be called an "expert" because you have one expert, the messiah. NJB Matthew 23:10 Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. NRS Matthew 23:10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. Related Passages: Colossians 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. A THIRD WARNING FOR THE DISCIPLES Do not be called leaders (kathegetes) - This is the third in a series of negative exhortations to the disciples, each functioning like a command. Jesus is not saying leadership is wrong — but that His disciples must not seek or exalt leadership titles that imply superiority, authority, or self-importance. This is a rebuke of spiritual elitism — where a person tries to stand above others in position or title. for One is your Leader (kathegetes), that is, Christ (Christos) Christ alone is the ultimate guide, teacher, and head of the church. All other leaders are merely under-shepherds or servants. The clear teaching is that the disciples (then and today) are to follow One Leader, Jesus Christ, submitting to Him. A corollary truth is that all human leadership must point to Christ, not to self. These three exhortations in (Mt 23:8, 9, 10) protect church members from spiritual pride, clericalism, and idolizing leaders - we have One Teacher, One Father and One Leader! Clericalism is the overemphasis on the role of ordained clergy, where spiritual authority and decision-making are concentrated in the hands of a few, often leading to spiritual elitism, exclusion, or abuse of power. NET NOTE - Christ - The term Christos was originally an adjective (“anointed”), developing in LXX into a substantive (“an anointed one”), then developing still further into a technical generic term (“the anointed one”). In the intertestamental period it developed further into a technical term referring to the hoped-for anointed one, that is, a specific individual. In the NT the development starts there (technical-specific), is so used in the gospels, and then develops in Paul to mean virtually Jesus’ last name. It was a common belief in Judaism that Messiah would be the son of David in that he would come from the lineage of David. On this point the Pharisees agreed and were correct. But their understanding was nonetheless incomplete, for Messiah is also David’s Lord. With this statement Jesus was affirming that, as the Messiah, he is both God and man. Leaders (2519) kathegetes (agō = “to lead,” + intensive prefix kata). The emphasis is upon leadership and guidance. It denotes a guide, a teacher. However, the aspect highlighted in the use of kathēgētēs is guidance. The word is not used in the Septuagint and has only two in Matthew 23:10 refers to Christ as the only kathēgētēs the believer should follow. Matthew 23:11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. KJV Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. BGT Matthew 23:11 ὁ δὲ μείζων ὑμῶν ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος. NET Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant. CSB Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant. ESV Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. NIV Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant. NLT Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you must be a servant. YLT Matthew 23:11 And the greater of you shall be your ministrant, MIT Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be the one who serves you all. NJB Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you must be your servant. NRS Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant. Mt 20:26,27 Mk 10:43,44 Lu 22:26,27 Jn 13:14,15 1Co 9:19 2Co 4:5 2Co 11:23 Ga 5:13 Php 2:5-8 Related Passages: Mark 10:43-45+ “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” THE FORMULA FOR TRUE GREATNESS" IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD But (term of contrast) - Jesus is contrasting with spiritual elitism that is inherent in each of the previous 3 designations - rabbi, father, leader. The greatest (megas) among you shall be your servant (diakonos) - Jesus had stated the same thing in Matthew 20:26+ (cf Mk 10:43+) “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant (diakonos). This word for servant converys the picture of “one who waits on tables!” Jesus does not condemn "greatest" but radically inverts the world's definition of "greatest!" In the context of Jesus' diatribe against the Scribes and Pharisees, who sought greatness through status, titles, and attention, Jesus points to humility and service as the true path. In God’s kingdom, greatness is not about rising above others, but stooping to serve them. C H Spurgeon (Matthew Commentary) - This is nearly the same lesson that is recorded in Mt 20:27. Our Lord had to repeat many times this law of his kingdom: “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. ” You are all equal; but if there is one amongst you who claims to be the greatest, he shall be the servant of all. Where our King rules, any one of his disciples who exalts himself shall be abased; while, on the other hand, the one who humbles himself shall be exalted. The way to rise is to sink self; the lower we fall in our own esteem, the higher shall we rise in our Master’s estimation. As an aside, Jesus is not eliminating leadership, simply redefining it. The greatest leaders are servant leaders, which was the pattern of Jesus! Those whom God will employ are first struck with a sense of their unworthiness to be employed. Matthew Henry Servant (minister, deacon) (1249) diakonos see related words diakoneo, diakonia) is of uncertain origin. Some say it is from dia (through) + konis (dust) which denotes one who hurries through the dust to carry out his service. (Thayer and others doubt this derivation for technical reasons). Vine says that diakonos is probably from diako which means to hasten after, to pursue and so to run on errands. "Then the root idea is one who reaches out with diligence and persistence to render a service on behalf of others. This would imply that the deacon reaches out to render love-prompted service to others energetically and persistently." (Hiebert) This word group (diakonos, diakoneo, diakonia) focuses on the rendering or assistance or help by performing certain duties, often of a humble or menial nature, and including such mundane activities as waiting on tables or caring for household needs, activities that to many would seem to be without dignity (not true of course in God's eyes, Pr 15:3, Rev 22:12+). In summary, the basic idea of this word group is that of humble, submissive, personal service, with less emphasis on a specific office or a particular function. DIAKONOS - 27V - Matt. 20:26; Matt. 22:13; Matt. 23:11; Mk. 9:35; Mk. 10:43; Jn. 2:5; Jn. 2:9; Jn. 12:26; Rom. 13:4; Rom. 15:8; Rom. 16:1; 1 Co. 3:5; 2 Co. 3:6; 2 Co. 6:4; 2 Co. 11:15; 2 Co. 11:23; Gal. 2:17; Eph. 3:7; Eph. 6:21; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:7; Col. 1:23; Col. 1:25; Col. 4:7; 1 Tim. 3:8; 1 Tim. 3:12; 1 Tim. 4:6 Matthew 23:12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. KJV Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. BGT Matthew 23:12 ὅστις δὲ ὑψώσει ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται καὶ ὅστις ταπεινώσει ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται. NET Matthew 23:12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. CSB Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. ESV Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. NIV Matthew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. NLT Matthew 23:12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. YLT Matthew 23:12 and whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself shall be exalted. MIT Matthew 23:12 Whoever acclaims himself will be humiliated, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted. NJB Matthew 23:12 Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up. NRS Matthew 23:12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. Mt 5:3 18:4 Job 22:29 Ps 138:6 Pr 15:33 16:18,19 29:23 Isa 57:15 Da 4:37 Lu 1:51,52 14:11 18:14 Jas 4:6 1Pe 5:5 Related Passages: Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. 19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud. Matthew 5:3+ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4+ “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. James 4:6+ But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 1 Peter 5:5+ You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. THE PARADOX OF TRUE GREATNESS Whoever exalts (hupsoo) himself shall be humbled (tapeinoo) - Exalts is in the active voice indicating willful, volitional exaltation by the person, actively seeking recognition, honor, status, or superiority, as did the Scribes and Pharisees! In contrast shall be humbled is in the passive voice which indicates that this person's desire to be exalted is countered by being acted upon by an outside force -- God! The takeaway is look out if you are seeking to be exalted, for there will be payday someday! This recalls the picture of the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-14+ who was exalting self and left the temple unjustified (spiritually lost). And whoever humbles (tapeinoo) himself shall be exalted (hupsoo) - Humbles (tapeinoo) is in the active voice indicating volitional choice, or a choice of their will be take the humble path. The verb tapeinoo comes is from tapeinos which is found in an early secular document where it speaks of the Nile River in its low stage in the words, “It runs low.” The idea then is “not rising far from the ground.” In essence this describes the person who follows in the humble and lowly steps of the Lord. Exalted (hupsoo) is in the passive voice which indicates that this person will be exalted by an outside force, specifically God! The tax collector in Luke 18:11-14+ humbled himself and left the temple justified! Of course the supreme example is the Lord Jesus Himself as described in Php 2:5-11+ Who God highly exalted because of His willingness to humble Himself and die on the Cross! Archibald Alexander once said that "Humility is to the Christian what ballast is to the ship; it keeps him in his proper position and regulates all his thoughts and feelings." Related Resource: Spiritual Paradox in the Christian Life Humbled (5013) tapeinoo from tapeinos = low, not high, describes Jesus in Mt 11:29+, figuratively of one's attitude/social position) literally means to level, to cause something to be lower or to make low (eg, to level off a mountain in Lk 3:5 from Lxx of Is 40:4). To be brought low not high, particularly of attitude & social positions. HUMBLE is fr Latin HUMILIS low, humble in turn fr HUMUS earth! Greeks saw humility as shameful, NT sees humility as condition bringing man to right relation to God! Tapeinoo means to bow down, to make low, to humble. Most NT uses of tapeinoo are figurative and include the following meanings: To cause someone to lose prestige, to reduce to a meaner condition or lower rank, to abase. To be ranked below others. In secular Greek, the person who was tapeinos described the one who was base, ignoble or of low birth, servile, held in low esteem. Obviously in the Bible, the supreme example of humility and humbling one's self is the Lord Jesus Christ. The original sense of low lying soon gave rise to metaphorical uses, NIDNTT (online) listing several examples.
Mateus 23
Morris writes "This prophecy was fulfilled in grim detail when the Romans destroyed the temple in A.D. 70 and Jerusalem in A.D. 135, sending the Jewish survivors into worldwide exile for almost two thousand years. John MacArthur rightly points out that "In the end times (ED: The last 7 years of this present evil age, Daniel's Seventieth Week) the persecution of Jews will escalate into a holocaust like no other they have experienced. That suffering will occur in a period called the time of Jacob's distress (Jer. 30:7+) and the Great Tribulation, a time "such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now nor ever shall" (Matt. 24:21+). (See The MacArthur Commentary) Desolate (secluded, desert) (2048) eremos means lonesome, solitary, wilderness = uninhabited, lonely, uncultivated region translated “wilderness” 32x in the KJV. BDAG - pert. to being in a state of isolation, isolated, desolate, deserted.of an area isolated, unfrequented, abandoned, empty, desolate; an uninhabited region or locality, desert, grassland, wilderness Friberg - (1) of an empty or uninhabited place abandoned, lonely, desolate (Lk 4.42); (2) of persons abandoned, forsaken, desolate (Gal 4.27); (3) an uncultivated or uninhabited place desert, wilderness (Lk 15.4)