Study Desk

"But they paid no attention [they disregarded the invitation, treating it with contempt] and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.

"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding [feast] is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

"But when the king came in to see the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed [appropriately] in wedding clothes,

"For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen."

But Jesus, aware of their malice, asked, "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?

But Jesus replied to them, "You are all wrong because you know neither the Scriptures [which teach the resurrection] nor the power of God [for He is able to raise the dead].

"For in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven [who do not marry nor produce children].

"But as to the resurrection of the dead—have you not read [in the Scripture] what God said to you:

'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living."

so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.

"The scribes and Pharisees tie up heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter].

"But do not be called Rabbi (Teacher); for One is your Teacher, and you are all [equally] brothers.

"But the greatest among you will be your servant.

"But woe (judgment is coming) to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so.

"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, that is nothing (non-binding); but whoever swears [an oath] by the gold of the temple is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].'

"And [you scribes and Pharisees say], 'Whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, that is nothing (non-binding), but whoever swears [an oath] by the offering on it, he is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].'

"Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth (tithe) of your mint and dill and cumin [focusing on minor matters], and have neglected the weightier [more important moral and spiritual] provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the [primary] things you ought to have done without neglecting the others.

"Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed).

"Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.

"So you, also, outwardly seem to be just and upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.