Questions

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 22:23–33

The Sadducees are believed to be a priestly class that elevated the Law of Moses above all other OT scriptures, and since the Law of Moses does not touch on the resurrection, they “say there is no resurrection” (See COBTAEL, Vol. IX, 236.)

1. Do the Sadducees really want to know the truth or are they simply trying to prove their point?

2. Do you detect a similar attitude in you at times?

3. The Sadducees are quoting from Deuteronomy 25:5-10. What is the intention of the Law of Moses in this respect?

4. In their opinion, why would such a case (which is probably hypothetical) make “resurrection” improbable?

5. What kinds of error does Jesus charge them with in v. 29 and why?

6. What does v. 30 really mean and how should you then apply it to your life on earth?

7. Let’s learn from Jesus’ interpretation of Exodus 3:6. What is the context of this statement? What is the main purpose of this statement by God? How does Jesus interpret it?

8. Why is the crowd astonished at Jesus’ teaching? Are you? Why?

9. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 22:34–46

1. In what sense was it a test?

2. What might be the reason behind asking which the most important commandment of all was? Should there be one such? What might be his mentality or approach toward the law?

3. One would think that since the Ten Commandments are of such importance, the most important commandment should be quoted from among them. Yet Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18. Why didn’t Jesus quote directly from the Ten Commandments?

4. Can anyone “keep” this first and greatest commandment? If no one can truly keep it, what is it there for? (See Gal. 3:24.)

5. The tester was asking which is the greatest commandment. Why did Jesus cite two instead of one? What answer might be provided by v. 40? (What does “hang on” mean?)

6. Read 1 John 4:20-21. How does John clarify the relationship between these two greatest commandments?

7. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 23:1–12

The scribes are professional teachers of the Law and the Pharisees pride themselves to be strict followers of the Law of Moses.

1. Vv. 1-4:

a. What is meant by sitting in Moses’ seat?

b. In taking the seat of Moses what mistakes did they make?

c. Is it hard to take the teachings of someone whom you know does not do what they teach in the church? Why would Jesus command us to obey people like this?

d. Be honest with yourself, are you also guilty of such hypocrisy?

2. Vv. 5-7:

a. What was their core problem?

b. In what areas did they exhibit their problems?

3. Examine yourself in light of their errors. Vv. 8-12  In urging us not to fall into their errors, Jesus points out who we are and who God is:

a. Who are we?

b. Who are God and Christ?

c. Should we then, within the church of God, call ourselves Rabbis, Fathers (or Doctors) or Teachers?

4. The last verse here appears to be a “guarantee”. What is this guarantee?

5. How can we grow from forcing ourselves to be humble to being humble naturally?

6. Why do you think Jesus felt it necessary to launch such harsh attacks on the scribes and the Pharisees?

7. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 23:13–22

Jesus follows up his harsh attacks on these religious leaders with what is commonly known as the “seven woes” of the Pharisees. Today we shall consider the first three woes:

1. The 1st  Woe (vv. 13-14)

a. What sin does Jesus accuse them of?

b. Can you think of any contemporary “Christian” religions/cults that might be guilty of the same sin?

c. What might be the “ways” in which they are preventing their flocks from entering the kingdom of God?

d. Why are they called hypocrites in this respect?

2. The 2nd Woe (v. 15)

a. What kind of sacrifice and determination was described by Jesus concerning these Pharisees and scribes?

b. Why would they make such a commitment? What might their motive be?

c. What does this say about the Mormons and the Jehovah Witness?

3. The 3rd Woe (vv. 16-22)

a. What is meant by being a blind guide?

b. In what way may one become a blind guide?

c. Why would they make a difference between swearing by the gold of the temple and by the temple itself?

d. What about the altar and the gifts? Why would they try to differentiate between the two?

e. What might be their justification?

f. What might be their true intent?

g. In what ways are they both blind and being fools?

h. How do verses 20-22 answer their (evil) intent?

4. Of the above three woes, what might be the most serious sin?

5. What then is the essential message of these warnings and how may you apply it in your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 23:23–28

1. The 4th Woe (vv. 23-24):

a. Does Jesus think tithing is not important?

b. What should be the purpose of tithing?

c. Why are justice, mercy and faithfulness more important matters of the law?

d. In Jesus’ metaphors, what is a gnat and what is a camel? (Note: It appears that the Pharisees took the trouble to make sure that they tithed everything, including minor cooking materials as cited by Jesus.)

e. What then are they guilty of?

2. The 5th Woe (vv. 25-26):

a. The Pharisees emphasized ceremonial cleansing in order that they may enter into the temple. What might cups and dishes refer to (or represent) according to Jesus?

b. Why would the cleaning of the inside make the outside clean as well? What is Jesus talking about?

c. In what way were the Pharisees greedy (see Mk. 12:40)?

d. In what way were they self-indulgent?

3. The 6th Woe (vv. 27-28):

a. According to Lightfoot, the Jews white-washed their tombs, not for beauty, but to warn people not to come near, lest they became unclean. Given this background, do you understand why Jesus likened them to white-washed tombs?

b. In what way(s) might we be guilty of the same sin?

4. Of the above three woes, what might be the most serious sin?

5. What is the essential message of these warnings to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 23:29–36

The 7th Woe:

1.Jesus predicted the suffering and martyrdom of His followers which are detailed in the Book of Acts:

a. How will they be treated?

b. And in whose hands would they receive persecution?

2. Why did their forefathers shed the blood of the prophets?

3. Why did the Pharisees think they would be different?

4. Why did they turn out to be no different from their forefathers?

5. Why should they be responsible for “all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth from…Abel to Zechariah”?

6. Why would Jesus call them “brood of vipers”?

7. What will be their punishment?

8. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Matthew 23:37–39

1. Why did Jesus mourn over “Jerusalem”? What does Jerusalem represent? Does it still today?

2. What was the mission of the prophets (see Ezek. 3:16-21)?

3. Many prophets were killed or stoned. Why then did God still send them, according to v. 37?

4. Has God’s heart changed today?

a. Toward Jerusalem?

b. Toward the world?

c. Toward your city?

5. What is God doing today to gather the people to Him?

6. What might be your role in this respect?

7. How similar would it be to that of the prophets’ of old?

8. How has the prophecy in v. 38 been fulfilled?

9. Will they (the people of Jerusalem, the Jews) eventually have a chance to see Christ?

10. What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?