Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. [14] 15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ 17 Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ 19 You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; 21 one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22 one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.
In this passage, Jesus directs a series of stern warnings at the scribes and Pharisees, the religious authorities of His day. He calls out their hypocrisy and the ways their leadership misleads the people. Verse 13 begins with a sharp admonition: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.” The imagery of “locking the kingdom of heaven” highlights the grave responsibility of spiritual leadership. Leaders have the power to guide others toward God or, if misused, to obstruct that path entirely. Authority in matters of faith is not neutral—it carries moral and spiritual weight.
Verse 15 illustrates one consequence of misplaced zeal: the Pharisees “traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.” Jesus warns that efforts to win followers, if done without authentic love and interior conversion, can produce greater harm than good. Converts can be led astray, adopting external observances, rigid interpretations, or superficial practices that distance them from God rather than draw them closer. Leadership without integrity and interior alignment with God’s will risks not guiding, but turning the faithful from Him. This principle remains true today: Church leaders or ministries that focus primarily on growing attendance, popularity, or external influence, rather than fostering true conversion and formation of the heart, risk misleading those entrusted to their care. Authentic leadership cultivates discipleship that is rooted in love, humility, and obedience to God, guiding people toward His kingdom rather than toward outward appearances or shallow devotion.
Verses 16-22 focus on the Pharisees’ distorted priorities, particularly regarding oaths. They debate whether swearing by the temple, its gold, the altar, or the gifts on the altar carries different obligations. Jesus calls them “blind guides” and “blind fools,” emphasizing their failure to perceive what truly matters. In reality, they were twisting the law to create loopholes that served their own interests. By distinguishing between swearing by the temple and swearing by its gold, or the altar and the gift on it, they allowed people to claim freedom from moral obligation in certain contexts while still appearing devout. This manipulation of ceremonial minutiae elevated human calculation above God’s will, misdirecting the faithful and obscuring the truth of God’s law. The pattern is clear: external precision without interior devotion corrupts guidance and risks leading others into error.
For contemporary readers, this passage reminds all believers—especially those in positions of authority within the Church—of the immense responsibility inherent in guiding others spiritually. True leadership cultivates faith that reaches the heart, fostering authentic love of God and neighbor rather than mere outward compliance. Those who lead must measure their teaching and example by the standard of God’s will, seeking mercy, justice, and holiness above prestige, control, or the appearance of piety.
Reflecting on these verses invites both leaders and the faithful to examine how they influence others. Leaders are called to humility and fidelity, ensuring that their guidance draws people toward God. Followers are invited to discern, pray for guidance, and remain attentive to the truth of God’s word beyond appearances, and not merely embrace what is comfortable for them spiritually. The goal is a community where the kingdom of heaven is accessible, hearts are aligned with God, and leadership serves rather than obstructs.
Almighty God, help us to follow leaders who seek Your truth with integrity, and give us the grace to lead with love and humility, always guiding others toward You and never away. Guard our hearts from hypocrisy and help us build communities that reflect Your kingdom. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources and References:
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Bernard Orchard et al. (1953).
- The Navarre Bible: Matthew, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008).
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. José Enrique Aguilar Chiu et al. (2018).
- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. Raymond E. Brown et al. (1990).
- St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), Expositions on the Psalms.
- St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407), Homilies on Matthew.
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