Why Jesus Told Followers to Hear But Not Mimic Pharisees

Matthew 23:1-3

1 Then spoke Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:

3 All therefore whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not.

Jesus commanded His followers to observe what the scribes and Pharisees taught from the law because they occupied a position of divine authority as the official expounders of the Word of God, yet He warned against following their example because their lives were characterized by hypocrisy and a lack of spiritual vitality1SM 386.2+1.

The Authority of Moses' Seat 📜

The scribes and Pharisees were said to "sit in Moses’ seat," which meant they were the recognized judges and teachers of the law for the nation of Israel Matthew 23:2ST March 21, 1878, par. 1. As they read the scriptures publicly, they were delivering the actual Word of God, which remains authoritative regardless of the character of the person speaking itGCB/GCDB April 4, 1901, page 1.61+1. Because they consistently taught that strict obedience should be rendered to the law of God, Jesus told the people to respect that instruction and follow the requirements of the law they readSITI August 27, 1885, page 521.8+1. Whatever their own practice might have been, the words they read from Moses were true and to be obeyed by the peopleGCB April 4, 1901, page 41.9+1.

The Rejection of Their Works 🚫

While their teaching from the scriptures was to be respected, Jesus explicitly warned, "do not ye after their works" because they did not practice what they enjoined upon others Matthew 23:33LtMs, Ms 5, 1882, par. 14. The Pharisees were characterized by several spiritual failures:

• Hollow Formalism: Their observance of the law was merely outward, while their hearts were filled with envy, strife, and iniquity Matthew 23:28DA 278.1+1.

• Self-Exaltation: They performed their religious duties—such as wearing broad phylacteries and making long prayers—primarily to be seen and honored by men Matthew 23:5-73LtMs, Ms 5, 1882, par. 14+1.

• Heavy Burdens: They bound "heavy burdens" and rigorous requirements on the people's shoulders but were unwilling to lift a finger to help or move them Matthew 23:4HLv 409.1.

• Neglect of the Weightier Matters: They were scrupulous about minor details like tithing garden herbs but omitted the most important aspects of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith Matthew 23:231SM 386.2+1.

The Need for a Higher Righteousness ✨

Jesus used the example of the Pharisees to establish a very high standard for His followers, stating that unless their righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees, they could not enter the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:20ARSH April 19, 1860, page 172.3. The Pharisees believed they were righteous through their own efforts to keep the letter of the law for selfish benefit, but this resulted in a "manufactured religion" that lacked the love of God5BC 1086.1+1. True righteousness is not found in the external forms of the Pharisees but in a heart changed by the Holy Spirit, which leads to inward purity and sincere obedience1SM 386.2+1. By distinguishing between their words and their works, Jesus taught that while the Word of God is always to be honored, religious hypocrisy is an abomination that leads to spiritual blindness1SM 388.1+1.