1 Then spake Jesus to the multi- tude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, the Scribes and the Pha- risees sit in Moses' seat ;
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, thai observe and do; but do not ye after their works : for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay tliem on men's slioulders; but they them- selves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men : they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their gannents,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at
feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Eabbi, Rabbi,
8 But be not ye called Eabbi : for one is your Master, even Christ ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth : for one is your Fa- ther, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt him- self shall be abased ; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
We are now beginning a chapter which in one respect is the most remarkable in the four Grospels. It contains the last words which the Lord Jesus ever spoke within the walls of the temple. Those last words consist of a withering exposure of the Scribes and Pharisees, and a sharp rebuke of their doctrines and practices. Knowing full well that His time on earth was drawing to a close, our Lord no longer keeps back his opinion of the leading
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teachers of the Jews. Knowing that He would soon leave His followers alone, like sheep among w^olves, He warns them plainly against the false shepherds, by whom they were surrounded.
The whole chapter is a signal example of boldness and faithfulness in denouncing error. It is a striking proof that it is possible for the most loving heart to use the language of stern reproof Above all it is an awful evidence of the guilt of unfaithful teachers. So long as the world stands, this chapter ought to be a warning and a beacon to all ministers of religion. No sins are so sinful as theirs in the sight of Christ.
In the twelve verses which begin the chapter, we see firstly, the duty of distinguisliing hetiueen the office of a false teacher* and his example. " The Scribes and Phari- sees sat in Moses' seat.'' Kightly or wrongly, they oc- cupied the position of the chief public teachers of religion among the Jews. However unworthily they filled the place of authority, their ofiice entitled them to respect. But while their office was respected, their bad lives were not to be copied. And although their teaching was to be adhered to, so long as it was Scriptural, it was not to be observed when it contradicted the Word of God. To use the words of Brentius, " They were to be heard w'hen they taught what Moses taught," but no longer. That such was our Lord's meaning is evident from the whole tenor of the chapter we are reading. False doctrine is there denounced as well as false practice.
The duty here placed before us is one of great im- portance. There is a constant tendency in the human mind to ran into extremes. If we do not regard the 13*