New Testament
Matthew 23:29
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How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build monuments for the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous,
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Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
What Matthew 23:29 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus condemns the religious leaders, specifically the scribes and Pharisees, for their hypocrisy. They honor the prophets of the past by building monuments and decorating their tombs, yet they fail to recognize and accept the truth of the messages those prophets delivered. Their actions are superficial; they appear to respect the righteous but do not embody the values they preached. This highlights a disconnect between outward appearances and inner beliefs. Jesus is pointing out that true honor for the prophets would involve following their teachings and living righteously, rather than merely paying tribute to them after their deaths. The verse serves as a warning against empty rituals and the danger of honoring tradition while neglecting the core principles of faith and righteousness.
How to apply Matthew 23:29 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our own lives for hypocrisy. Are we honoring God with our words while neglecting to live out His teachings? It reminds us to align our actions with our beliefs and to genuinely follow the principles of faith rather than just going through the motions of religious practices.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 23:29 mean?
Matthew 23:29 highlights Jesus' condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They honor the prophets by building monuments but fail to live by the truths those prophets preached, showing a disconnect between their actions and beliefs.
What is the significance of the tombs in Matthew 23:29?
The tombs in Matthew 23:29 symbolize the superficial honor given to the prophets by the religious leaders. While they decorate the tombs, they do not embody the teachings of the prophets, illustrating their hypocrisy.
How does Matthew 23:29 relate to hypocrisy?
Matthew 23:29 serves as a clear example of hypocrisy, where the scribes and Pharisees outwardly show respect for the prophets but inwardly reject their messages. This verse warns against the danger of performing religious acts without genuine faith.
What lesson can we learn from Matthew 23:29?
From Matthew 23:29, we learn the importance of aligning our actions with our beliefs. It encourages us to avoid empty rituals and to genuinely live out the principles of faith rather than just honoring them superficially.
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