BIBLE IN TEN

Saturday, 24 October 2026
 
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, Matthew 23:29
 
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites! Because you build the ‘tombs, the prophets’, and you arrange the ‘sepulchers, the righteous’.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus finished His seventh pronouncement of woe, saying to the scribes and Pharisees that they appear outwardly righteous, but inside they are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. He next begins the eighth and final woe, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites!”
 
By now, any scribe or Pharisee within earshot would have a burning nostril as flames shot out of his nose. Jesus openly rebuked these spiritual leaders for their hypocrisy, exposing one negative trait after another about them.
 
The thing is, deep down they probably knew His words were true. But because of their upbringing, education, and status, they felt they had a right to get away with their conduct. As for Jesus’ words, He continues, saying, “Because you build the ‘tombs, the prophets’.”
 
There was a desire to build tombs for those who were noted in Israel’s history as a way of remembering them. This is done throughout the world. People build music halls, rename airports, dedicate highways, etc., to dead people. In Israel, they were building tombs as a way of honoring the prophets of time past. Along with this, it says, “and you arrange the ‘sepulchers, the righteous’.”
 
The word translated as arrange, kosmeó, was seen in Matthew 12:44, where a house was empty, swept, and put in order. It signifies tidying up, decorating, adorning, etc. They probably found the tombs of the righteous falling into disrepair and decided that it would be good to get them suitably arranged once again.
 
Though taking care of these things as noted by Jesus seems like a good thing, there is a problem with it that He will address in the words ahead.
 
Life application: God’s judgment on Israel was because they lived lives completely contrary to what the Lord would have for them. He would suffer their uncaring attitudes, allow them to be troubled in some way, then they would turn back to Him, and He would restore them. After that, the cycle would continue until there was nothing left but destruction and exile.
 
The US has gone through ups and downs. Each time there has been a national calamity, the churches swell, and the people call out to God. The nation gets back on its proverbial feet, and within no time at all, the nation has forgotten about the Lord. This is true with other Christian nations as well.
 
There is a problem with things the way they are in the world. National debts are carried around the world like a house of cards. This is why the little country of Greece threatened to bring down the entire world economy in 2009. If Greece had gone, the whole house of cards would have fallen in on itself.
 
Because of this interconnected system between the nations, things can only be allowed to go so far before trouble will result. As much as the nations of the world may hate President Trump, they can’t unite together and just cut America off. This type of thing may have been possible in the past, but it is not feasible today.
 
In other words, the whole world is primed for an end-times calamity it cannot get itself out of. There won’t be a way for the world to turn back to God, as most of the world never believed in the true God to begin with. One can see how the Bible presents the end times as not only possible, but inevitable.
 
If you are saved but have not been living for the Lord, you should redirect your priorities. Nations have in history, but each person must as well. The only remedy to the horrible prospect of eternal separation from God is faith in Jesus. And for those who are saved, all of our actions after salvation will be judged for reward or loss.
 
Either way, be sure to get Jesus right. Come to the cross, accept what God has done in the giving of Jesus, and be saved. Then spend your life living for Him. Fix your eyes on Jesus and don’t get distracted from pursuing Him all the days of your life.
 
Lord God, it is so easy for us to stray from You. Life keeps coming at us, and distractions tug at our senses. In what seems like no time at all, we get misdirected from doing the things we should be doing. Help us to stay fixed on Jesus, never deviating from the right and sound path. Amen.
 

Friday, 23 October 2026
 
Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:28
  
“Thus, also, you outwardly – indeed – you appear to the men righteous. Inwardly, also, you are replete – hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus began His seventh woe directed at the scribes and Pharisees, noting that they were like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness inside. He continues His words, saying, “Thus, also, you outwardly – indeed – you appear to the men righteous.”
 
Just as a whitewashed tomb seems innocuous enough, maybe even cheerful if adorned with flowers, the Pharisees had an outward appearance that seemed righteous. People are easily misdirected by externals.
 
They see meticulously lived lives, formal garments of pious religion, an unwillingness to touch anything unclean, etc., and they assume that the person is the same on the inside. But as often as not, it is just the opposite. As Jesus says, “Inwardly, also, you are replete – hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
 
A new word is seen here: mestos, replete. It can be literal or figurative. In the case of the Pharisees, they were replete with being double-faced. This included being hypocrites about the law that they were supposed to represent and uphold.
 
Jesus saw right through them and their wickedness, clearly pointing it out for others to understand as well.
 
Life application: Religious processions draw a lot of attention. The pope will have lines of people dressed in fancy garb carrying crosses while chants are heard from the choir. This puts on a great show, and it immediately fills people’s minds with a sense of true religion. How could God not be pleased with such a show of piety?
 
This follows through in lesser denominations. For example, the Episcopal church is big on these externals. They wear special flowing garments that shine like silk. Sewn into them are crosses and other “holy” symbols. They come to the altar with carefully selected tunes playing on an organ as they carry shiny crosses on wooden staves.
 
Once they are at the altar, arms are raised, and pious benedictions are spoken out over the people. It all seems so God-honoring in appearance. And yet, hanging outside on the same pole as the Christian flag, sometimes above that flag, are gay and trans flags. Their homilies lean toward a communist message, manipulating the Bible for extreme left-wing purposes.
 
Like the pope in the Vatican, they talk about ecumenism, something that immediately puts the way of man above the word of God. Though not politically established, their choice of wording leaves no doubt that they side with globalism, left-wing causes, and a one-world government hierarchy.
 
They preach tolerance, and yet, they are intolerant of those who disagree with their warped ideas and world outlook. It is not the externals that have any value. In fact, they only distract from what is truly good.
 
But this is not limited to mainstream denominations. One can look at how people conduct themselves on a stage in front of thousands of people in a mega church and see that this rings true as well.
 
There must be a standard by which God either approves of a church or not. And there is. That standard is set on how Jesus Christ is proclaimed and how the word of God is handled. Anything else is just show without substance. Be sure to know the Bible well enough to know when you are being led down a false path.
 
Lord God, help us to be wise in who we listen to and what we accept. There are many ways to present Your word, but what is said must conform to what it says. Help us to be prudent and responsible as we pursue You through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thursday, 22 October 2026
 
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Matthew 23:27
  
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites! Because you resemble tombs having been whitewashed, which outwardly, indeed, they appear beautiful. Inwardly, also, they swell – ‘bones, dead’ and all impurity.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus finished His sixth woe to the scribes and Pharisees. He now begins His seventh woe, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites!”
 
Without letting up a bit, Jesus repeats the same thought He has already stated several times. If nothing else, this type of repetitive speech provides its own emphasis for the people to consider. With that introductory thought stated, He next says, “Because you resemble tombs having been whitewashed.”
 
Three new words are seen here. The first is paromoiazó, to resemble or be like. It is only found here in the New Testament. The next is taphos, a tomb. It is derived from thaptó, to celebrate funeral rites. The third is koniaó, to whitewash. It is derived from konia, dust. Thus, the sense of whitening is understood. It is used only here and in Acts 23:3.
 
Tombs are places for burial of the dead. Throughout human history, monuments have been set up to honor and remember those who have died. Whitewashing a tomb is something anyone would understand. Because the tombs were whitewashed, Jesus says, “which outwardly, indeed, they appear beautiful.”
 
Another new word is seen, hóraios, belonging to the right hour or season. By implication, it means to be flourishing or beautiful. That is the point of whitewashing. After time, things break down, appearances get moldy or blasted by heat and wind, etc. In order to keep things looking good, a layer of whitewash is needed from time to time. For those who see it, depending on who is inside, there may be fond memories or feelings of honor.
 
There is a truth about this, however, that most people don’t take the time to think about. And yet, with one exception, it is universal in its scope. Jesus says, “Inwardly, also, they swell – ‘bones, dead’ and all impurity.”
 
Two more new words are seen to finish off this verse. The first is osteon, bone. One can see the etymological ancestor of our prefix osteo, such as in osteoporosis. The second is akatharsia, impurity, both physically and morally.
 
Of this verse, Charles Ellicott says, “Ye are like unto whited sepulchres.—Contact with a sepulchre brought with it ceremonial uncleanness, and all burial-places were accordingly white-washed once a year, on the 15th day of the month Adar—i.e., about the beginning of March—that passers-by might be warned by them, as they were of the approach of a leper by his cry, ‘Unclean, unclean!’”
 
Life application: The words of Jesus in this woe resemble those of the previous woe in that they speak of outward appearances while the inward is corrupt. Sometimes, this occurs because people think they are better than those around them, or that they have a right to do things they shouldn’t do for whatever illogical reason they make up in their heads.
 
Others may do things they shouldn’t do without really thinking through their actions. You are at work, and there is something you want, but you have no right to it. In such cases, we may try to justify in our own minds that taking it is ok. Maybe if I swap something else for what I am taking, it will balance things out.
 
Or we might think, “The boss doesn’t care if I take this. He’s a good guy and won’t mind.” Have you asked if it’s ok to do what you are doing? Probably not, if you have to make up excuses in your head.
 
We are being evaluated based on how we interact with the world around us. Taking something that doesn’t belong to you is stealing. Saying untrue things is lying. Let each of us continuously evaluate ourselves, determining that we will not do such things, even if it involves something that may seem inconsequential.
 
Lord God, may our lives and actions be carefully aligned with Your will. Help each of us to be honest, truthful, and always the epitome of integrity to those we come in contact with. Yes, may it be so. Amen.

Wednesday, 21 October 2026
 
Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew 23:26
 
“‘Pharisee, blind’! You cleanse first the ‘within the cup and the side-dish’ that it might be, also the outward of them, clean.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus chided the hypocritical Pharisees for cleaning the outside of the cup and side-dish while the inside was full of pillage and unrestraint. He continues that now, saying, “‘Pharisee, blind’!”
 
Changing “Pharisees” to “Pharisee” makes Jesus’ address more personal. It is an appeal for the individual to change his thinking and act with wisdom. That change continues with the next words, “You cleanse first the ‘within the cup and the side-dish’.”
 
The verb “you cleanse” remains in the singular. Jesus appeals to each Pharisee to come out from the herd thinking and lifestyle to make a change suitable to be free from his previous aberrant thinking and actions. A new word is seen in this clause, entos, within. It will only be seen here and in Luke 17:21. Jesus next speaks of the result of cleaning the “within” of the dishes, saying, “that it might be, also the outward of them, clean.”
 
Another new word is seen here, ektos, outward. It can be used to figuratively mean “except” or “besides.” Through this example, Jesus turns their thinking upside down. Cleaning the outside of the cup carefully while neglecting the inside doesn’t help purify the food that is placed in the dish.
 
As such, if the food is pure before it is put in the cup, and if it remains pure after it is put in because the inside of the cup is pure, then the outside of the cup is made clean without any extra purification. Of this, the Pulpit Commentary says, “So in the case of the moral agent, the ceremonial purity is a mockery and hypocrisy unless it be accompanied by holiness of the heart.”
 
The point is that Jesus equates the inside and outside of the dishes to the internal and external lives of these men. Unless they purify their insides, the outward showiness is nothing. They remain defiled.
 
“For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, ‘May the good Lord provide atonement for everyone 19 who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.’ 20 And the Lord listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.” 2 Chronicles 30:18-19
 
Life application: Jesus’ example is plain enough for each of us to consider. What is it about our lives that hides away corruption? Until we get such things cleared up, we may present a decent outward appearance, but the Lord is certainly displeased with our internal state.
 
And these things come in many degrees and variations. Almost daily, there will be an article about a pastor, priest, missionary, youth minister, etc., who secretly hides away disturbing traits.
 
Some steal from the church – some are pedophiles, etc. If those who represent the church are inclined to do these things, it is likely that some of us are as well. Staying close to the Lord, reading His word, and applying its lessons to our lives are ways we can crucify the flesh, cleanse our inward inclinations, and thus be presentable to the Lord in our walk before Him.
 
Let us endeavor to do these. In doing them, we will do well.
 
Lord God, help us to live lives that honor You, not just as an outward pretense, but as a core part of who we are. May what is inside be pure and honorable as we interact with You and with others in these lives You have given us. Amen.

Tuesday, 20 October 2026
 
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25
 
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites! Because you cleanse the ‘outwardly, the cup and the side-dish’. Inwardly, also, they swell from pillage and unrestraint.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus finished His fifth woe pronouncement upon the scribes and Pharisees. With that complete, He immediately moves to the sixth, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites!”
 
In Isaiah, the Lord pronounces a series of woes upon the people of the land. They had acted wickedly and would be punished for their conduct. The same Lord came and stood among the people. His pronouncements upon the scribes and Pharisees will end in no less judgment than what the people received in the past.
 
One would think the direct and truthful nature of Jesus’ words would have affected them, but they continued down their stubborn path. For now, Jesus continues His words, saying, “Because you cleanse the ‘outwardly, the cup and the side-dish’.”
 
New words are seen. The first is the adverb exóthen, outside, outward, etc. It is derived from exó, external. Being an adverb, saying “the outside” fails to give the proper sense. The second new word is paropsis, a side-dish.
 
It is derived from para, near or beside, and opsarion, a relish to other food (as if cooked sauce), but specifically fish. The word is found only here and in the next verse. The cup and side dish are outwardly clean. This refers to what is outside, which is evident to all.
 
Thus, there is the sense of doing things for show. However, there is an underlying problem that the Lord sees, even if it is not outwardly evident to others. He continues, saying, “Inwardly, also, they swell from pillage and unrestraint.”
 
Three new words are seen here. The first is gemó, to swell out and thus full. HELPS Word Studies says it signifies “totally characterized by (in every sense).” The next word is harpagé, pillage. Thus, abstractly, it refers to extortion, ravening, or spoiling. It is derived from the word harpazó, to snatch away, as what will take place at the rapture.
 
In this case, the usage identifies a violently greedy attitude among these men. That is accompanied by the third new word of the clause, akrasia, want of self-restraint. Thus, it means excess or incontinence. It is only seen again in 1 Corinthians 7:5.
 
The Lord, who reads the hearts and minds, sees beyond the exterior appearance of these men, knowing that inside there is corruption and wickedness.
 
Life application: Remember that Paul was a Pharisee. He is one of the men Jesus is speaking to at this time. He was outwardly showy, but inwardly corrupt. This attitude is seen in his early appearances in Acts. The chance of him waking up and realizing his corrupt state before the Lord was extremely thin. However, by an act of grace, He was offered salvation and a chance to serve the Lord with his life.
 
After his conversion, he pressed forward in Christ, never forgetting who he was or the depths from which the Lord had pulled him. Imagine it! One of Israel’s elites was a great offender who later acknowledged how terrible he truly was –
 
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” 1 Timothy 1:15, 16
 
Understanding Paul’s words, think about how they reflect our own state before the Lord. Paul says he was a pattern to those who are going to believe. What we have received in Christ was unmerited. We may not have been as bad as the scribes and Pharisees in one way, but we may have been far worse than them in others.
 
No person deserves grace. It is unmerited favor. As this is true, there is nothing you can do to earn it. Therefore, the life we now live in Christ should be one that is grateful, willing to serve, and filled with thanks at all times. If we start feeling smug in our salvation, looking down on others, all we need to do is remember that we stand before the Lord solely because of His grace.
 
Let us remain humble and willing to share the good news with others at all times. It is God who deserves all the glory for having pulled us out of the pit we were in. Praise God for His goodness to us.
 
“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14
 
Lord God, thank You for looking down on each of us, miserable sinners, and seeing something of value in what we could become. Because of Your love for Your creatures, You were willing to do the unimaginable. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

Monday, 19 October 2026
 
Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!  Matthew 23:24
 
“‘Guides, blind’! The ‘through-filtering the gnat’, the ‘also camel gulping’.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus began His fifth woe against the scribes and Pharisees, noting that they paid tithes of the little things but forsook the weightier things expected of them. He next chastises them for this conduct, beginning with, “‘Guides, blind’!”
 
Jesus has already used this same thought against Israel’s leaders in Matthew 15:14 and 23:16. The idea of their failed leadership is somewhat reflected in Proverbs 28:10 –
 
“Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,He himself will fall into his own pit;But the blameless will inherit good.”
 
Being Israel’s leaders, they were accountable for being proper examples to the people. However, they caused the people to go astray. In doing so, they would fall into their own pit. Unfortunately, they would cause those they were supposed to lead to fall into it as well. The example they set forth is stated by Jesus, “The ‘through-filtering the gnat’.”
 
There are two new words here. The first is diulizó. It is from dia, through, and hulizo, to filter. Thus, it means to thoroughly filter something out. The second is kónóps, a gnat. The derivation of the word is debated. Aristotle identified it as the wine-gnat or midge that is bred in (fermenting and) evaporating wine. Others use the word to describe a gnat.
 
In regard to the tithe, they meticulously filtered out any chance of not meeting the expectation set forth by the law. One can see them weighing out ten percent of the mint, dill, and cummin, getting to the last seed to make sure everyone was aware that they wouldn’t cheat a single grain. And yet, Jesus next says of them that they are “the ‘also camel gulping’.”
 
Another new word is seen, katapinó, to gulp entirely. It is from kata, down against, and pinó, to imbibe. The reason for straining out the gnat is found in Leviticus –
 
“All flying insects that creep on all fours shall be an abomination to you.” Leviticus 20:11
 
Jesus equates their scrupulous tithing of the herbs to someone who would strain out everything they drank to ensure not a single gnat would enter their mouth, causing them to violate the law. And yet, they would willingly gulp down an entire camel –
 
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, 2 ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying, “These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: 3 Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat. 4 Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; 5 the rock hyrax, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; 6 the hare, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; 7 and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8 Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you.”’” Leviticus 11:1-8
 
This is the largest animal specifically mentioned in the list of unclean animals. Therefore, the contrast is made all the more striking. The scribes and Pharisees spent so much time on what was of lesser importance, and they openly ignored what was of the highest importance.
 
Life application: The major biblical focus on the law versus grace is seen from the first words of the Lord to man in Genesis 2 until the last words of the Bible in Revelation 22. When considered as one reads through Scripture, it is evident that this is the main theme concerning pleasing God in all of the Bible.
 
The law demands the work of man to accomplish. Grace requires that we have faith to accept that what God has done is as described: a gift. People in the church who attempt to merit God’s favor apart from the works of Jesus are like gnat strainers. They do everything they can to ensure that they dot every i and cross every t (well, those things that they think are necessary) to merit salvation.
 
And yet, they gulp down unclean camels. By doing this, they reject what God in Christ has done. Only He has perfectly met the demands of the law. Therefore, no matter how many gnats one strains, the camels remain to be gulped down. There is no way around this.
 
This is what Israel’s leaders were doing. They were meeting the demands they thought they could easily get away with, but they ignored the more burdensome demands that were required to be met.
 
The greatest, and only, requirement for salvation is faith in what God has done through Christ. Don’t be a gnat-strainer who misses out by swallowing the camels of law observance! Come to Christ and be saved.
 
Lord God, thank You for Christ’s perfection. We accept it by faith. Amen.
 

Sunday, 18 October 2026
 
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  Matthew 23:23
 
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites! Because you tithe the mint, and the dill, and the cummin, and you left the ‘weightier, the law’: the judgment, and the mercy, and the faith. These, also, it necessitated to do – those, not leave!” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus finished up His fourth woe to the scribes and Pharisees. He now moves right to the fifth, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites!” He uses the same opening formula as the first two woes, noting their hypocrisy. He then begins to define it, saying, “Because you tithe.”
 
Here is a new word, apodekatoo, to give, pay, or take a tithe. It is derived from apo, away or from, and dekatoo, a tithe. The tithe was a mandate of the law of Moses. Like taxes today, tithes were mandated as a part of the society to keep various aspects of the society functioning and to keep the needy from abject poverty.
 
Greater levies were imposed on the people by kings or by foreign powers, but the tithe of Israel was mandated in the law with specific targeted purposes that were explicitly stated. Jesus singles out certain tithes made by these men, saying, “the mint, and the dill, and the cummin.”
 
Three new words are seen here. The first is héduosmon, mint. It is derived from hédeós, sweetly, and osmé, fragrance. The two together form a word picture describing mint. The next is anéthon, dill or anise, closely related botanicals. The word is found only here in the Bible.
 
Next is kuminon, cummin. It is etymologically equivalent to kammon, cummin, found three times in Isaiah 28. The Greek word is found only here in the New Testament. These men did the minimum required by the law, as it says in Leviticus 27:30, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.”
 
They were doing what was mandatory and which could be verified by set measurement. But Jesus continues, “and you left the ‘weightier, the law’.”
 
Another new word is seen: the adjective barus, weighty. Figuratively, it signifies being burdensome or grave. It is derived from the noun baros, weight. There is the sense of the inability to move freely. Jesus’ point is that they did the easy stuff, but neglected that which required true effort.
 
In other words, the tithe was something that was set and important, but it did not carry the same weight as other precepts mandated in the law. Jesus next notes what those weightier matters are, saying, “the judgment, and the mercy, and the faith.” The words appear to be a loose citation of Micah 6:8 –
 
“He caused to declare to you, man, what ‘good’.And what Yehovah ‘inquiring’ from you?That if doing verdict, and cherishing kindness, and causing to efface,To walk with your God.” Micah 6:8 (CG)
 
The final Greek word Jesus uses, pistin, signifies faith or faithfulness based on the context. If Jesus is referring to Micah, faith matches the “causing to efface.” One will only purposefully humble himself before God if he has faith that God cares about those things. Faith looks upward to God as the object of trust. Faithfulness looks outward through actions, obedience, and duty.
 
Both are understandable, but in Micah, the person being spoken to is being instructed on faith first and foremost. With this stated, Jesus finishes with, “These, also, it necessitated to do – those, not leave!”
 
The meaning is that the weightier matters (these) were expected, even if they were burdensome. The other matters (those) were always expected to be accomplished as well, even if they were lesser mandates.
 
Life application: Jesus informed these leaders of Israel that tithing was expected. Does this mean that tithing is required even now? No. The law is fulfilled. Tithing was mandated under the law. The instance of Abraham giving a tenth to Melchizedek is descriptive. It prescribes nothing. Jacob’s promise to give a tenth to the Lord is descriptive. It prescribes nothing.
 
These cannot be used as examples that must be followed (the made-up and unsupportable doctrine called “the law of first-mention”). Giving within the church is defined by Paul’s words found in 2 Corinthians 9:6, 7 –
 
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
 
Tithing is a mandate, not a cheerful decision. To understand the full scope of the tithes of Israel and how the mandate is inappropriately abused within the church, refer to the Superior Word sermons on the subject, the main one of which is found in Deuteronomy 14:22-29, entitled The Tithes of Israel. 
 
Lord God, may we always walk humbly with You, glorifying You with our lives, actions, and interactions. Remind us of Your presence so that You are always at the forefront of our thoughts. Be glorified in and through us always. Amen.

Saturday, 17 October 2026
 
And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it. Matthew 23:22
 
“And the ‘having sworn in the heaven’, he swears in the ‘throne, the God’ and in the ‘sitting atop it’.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus told the people that he who swears by the temple swears by it and all that is atop it. He next says, “And the ‘having sworn in the heaven’.”
 
The incorrect thinking of the scribes and Pharisees continues to be highlighted. They might say, “If you swear by heaven, it doesn’t matter. Only if you swear by God in heaven is your vow binding.” Jesus refutes this, saying, “he swears in the ‘throne, the God’ and in the ‘sitting atop it’.”
 
As heaven is where the throne of God is, it implies that there is a God. You can’t have one without the other. As heaven is where God’s throne is located, then by default both God and His throne are included in the equation.
 
The law has already instructed in Deuteronomy 6:13 that when an oath is made, it is to be made in the name of the Lord God. This leaves no provision for any other source to affirm an oath. Thus, the fact that this debate even arose shows the incorrect thinking of these men. Jesus laid out in Matthew 5 what should be done concerning such oaths –
 
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:33-37
 
This doesn’t mean that if a person is challenged to swear an oath in the name of the Lord, that he must refrain from doing so. Rather, swearing an oath in His name is the only allowable way to confirm an oath.
 
Inanimate objects cannot read the mind or judge a matter. To swear an oath on an inanimate object implies there is some power in it to do such things, thus confirming what has been sworn. Only God can do this. This is why the Bible is so specific on this matter.
 
Life application: Jesus has taken the most basic oaths that people were making, such as swearing on the gold on the altar as opposed to swearing on the altar, and He has shown that God is ultimately involved in all things.
 
He is the Creator of the materials, and He is the Sanctifier of the altar by which the articles on it are sanctified. Nothing exists apart from Him. To remove God from the equation elevates a lesser thing to the position of God. This should never be. When speaking to others, we should do so with words that are honest and binding.
 
If we are compelled to swear, such as during official testimony, our adjuration should only be made in the name of God. Anything else is idolatry and cannot be condoned. If we need to invoke the name of God to ensure what we are saying is reliable, we need to make sure that what is said is accurate. Paul does this in Philippians 1:8 –
 
“For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.”
 
Let us always take care that the name of God is exalted in our speech. And, at times, it may be necessary to define who our God is. People of other faiths follow false gods. We shouldn’t let them think we are dealing with the same God when we speak. Use thought and care when making your utterances concerning such things, and you will do well.
 
Lord God, thank You for Your word that instructs us on matters that are important as we interact with You and with others. Help us to always speak and conduct our lives in accord with Your will as is expressed in Your word. Be with us in this, O God. Amen.
 

Friday, 16 October 2026
 
He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. Matthew 23:21
 
“And the ‘having sworn in the temple’, he swears in it and in the ‘dwelling, it’.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus said that he who swears by the altar swears by everything on it. He next says, “And the ‘having sworn in the temple’.”
 
Jesus elevates the matter of sanctification from the altar to the temple. The altar is a part of the temple. The scope of the sanctification of the altar is that which touches it. The scope of the temple was a place of holiness. Different places within the temple allowed only certain people to enter.
 
Solomon’s temple had an inner court for the priests and an outer court for the people of Israel to gather. In Herod’s temple, there were these, but added in were the court of the Gentiles and the court of the women.
 
Gentiles could go so far within the complex. The people of Israel could go so far and no further. The priests, depending on their situation (being clean or unclean, etc.), could minister up to a certain area, or they may be restricted from ministering.
 
From there, the high priest alone could enter the Most Holy Place. But he was restricted to entering once a year on the day of atonement. And he could not enter without the blood of a sacrifice for sin. This is because it was the dwelling place of the Lord within the temple.
 
Because the Lord’s presence was there, Jesus says that anyone who swore in (meaning by) the temple, “he swears in it and in the ‘dwelling, it’.”
 
It is the Lord who sanctified the temple. His presence there meant that swearing by the temple meant that the utterance included swearing by the Lord who dwelt in the temple. As such, any such oath had to be considered binding. Jesus carefully schools the religious leaders of Israel on things they were apparently unable to think through properly.
 
Life application: In Matthew 5, using the same word translated as “swear” here, Jesus said –
 
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
 
Jesus is not telling the people in Matthew 23 to swear. He is telling them what it means when they do swear by something. His audience was the people of Israel. In Leviticus 26, the Lord said –
 
“I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you.12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.” Leviticus 26:11, 12
 
If the Lord dwelled among the people, then logically, anything they said would need to be considered as binding. Hence, His instructions were that swearing was unnecessary. The words the people uttered were to be truthful, as if each thing they said was a sacred utterance.
 
Paul cites Leviticus 26 in 2 Corinthians 6:16 –
 
“And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:‘I will dwell in themAnd walk among them.I will be their God,And they shall be My people.’”
 
As this is so, our words should be as honest as those expected of the people of Israel, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 5. When we speak, it should be with the understanding that our relationship with God is being evaluated by the truthfulness of our words.
 
It should be wholly unnecessary for a believer to swear as an attempt to confirm his words. What he or she says should hold up to scrutiny apart from such things. This does not mean that Christians are not to swear when asked to do so, such as confirming one’s words on a legal document or in a court of law.
 
Those things are externally required. The swearing Jesus and the apostles refer to is the confirmation of the truthfulness of one’s words, as if a swear should be needed to ensure what they say can be trusted. This should be unnecessary.
 
Lord God, help us always to be truthful in the things we say. May our promises to others be considered as binding, and may we diligently go about fulfilling what our mouths have spoken. May our actions never bring dishonor on Your glorious name. Amen.
 

Thursday, 15 October 2026
 
Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. Matthew 23:20
 
“The ‘therefore having sworn in the altar’, he swears in it and in all those atop it.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus asked the question as to which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift. The answer is obvious. The altar is greater. Jesus next says, “The ‘therefore having sworn in the altar’.”
 
This refers to the person, identified as “who” in the first clause of verse 18 –
 
“And who, if he should swear ‘in the altar’, nothing, it is. Who, also, if he should swear ‘in the gift’, the ‘atop it’, he is obligated.”
 
When such a person swears in the altar, Jesus says, “he swears in it and in all those atop it.” It cannot be that swearing on what is atop the altar is a binding vow while swearing on the altar itself is nothing. The things atop the altar have been sanctified, but it is by the altar that it is so.
 
The scribes and Pharisees assumed that something other than the altar, maybe the act of giving or some other deed affixed to the process, is what sanctified the gift. This shows a naivete about the precept of the law, a misunderstanding about the source of holiness, and an abuse of the sanctification process.
 
To further solidify this concept, Jesus will continue to explain how the process of sanctification comes about.
 
Life application: In Isaiah 65, the Lord explains the type of people Jesus is speaking to right now. The infractions stated may not match the actions of the scribes and Pharisees, but the attitude is what is to be focused on –
 
“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me;I was found by those who did not seek Me.I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’To a nation that was not called by My name.2 I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,Who walk in a way that is not good,According to their own thoughts;3 A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face;Who sacrifice in gardens,And burn incense on altars of brick;4 Who sit among the graves,And spend the night in the tombs;Who eat swine’s flesh,And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels;5 Who say, ‘Keep to yourself,Do not come near me,For I am holier than you!’These are smoke in My nostrils,A fire that burns all the day.” Isaiah 65:1-5
 
Israel, being led by people like the scribes and Pharisees, had a faulty idea about holiness and sanctification. They thought they were holy because of who they are, not because of the One who selected them to be His people. The thinking is, “We must be holy because God selected us.”
 
Rather, the Lord told them repeatedly right in the law that they were to be holy because He is holy. Their holiness was only obtainable by doing what the Lord instructed them to do. And the doing was to be more than a tedious, rote thing. Their mindset, and thus their conduct, was to be conscious of the Lord and His presence at all times.
 
That is reflected in the precept noted in Chapter 22 about loving the Lord God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength. Israel, having the idea of sanctification completely backward, failed to do this. Hence, Paul cites Isaiah 65 in Romans 10.
 
Those outside of Israel who come to God through the gospel do so because they understand that they are not holy. They hear of God’s righteousness through the gospel and its imputation, and they reach out for it. Israel’s attitude, which continues to this day, is, “We don’t need Jesus to be holy. God selected us, demonstrating that we are holy.”
 
One who feels he is already holy before God will naturally reject the gospel because Jesus, through the gospel, essentially calls out, “You need to be holy. I can make you holy. Come to me.” The response is, “I don’t need that. I am already a member of God’s holy people. I’m good, but thanks anyway.”
 
In understanding that they are currently Lo Ammi, Not My People, Israel can deduce that they need something external to make them holy. The tribulation will draw this out of them. When it happens, a change will take place. They will finally get it.
 
Until then, they are a hard bunch to evangelize.  Some understand the gospel, but for the most part, it is an offensive suggestion to them that they need holiness imputed to them. Keep Israel, the nation, in prayer that their eyes will be opened.
 
O God, in Jeremiah, it says, “The Lord, Our Righteousness.” Indeed, there is nothing righteous in man apart from You. May we cling to the cross of Christ, understanding the magnitude of what it signifies in our lives. Thank You for the cross of Jesus our Lord. Amen.
 

Wednesday, 14 October 2026
 
Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Matthew 23:19
 
“Moronics and blind! Which, indeed – greater: the gift or the altar the ‘hallowing the gift’?” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus recalled the unsound teaching of the scribes and Pharisees who said that swearing by the altar, it is nothing, but swearing by the gift on it obliged the person to perform their vow. Jesus next says, “Moronics and blind!”
 
Jesus’ words indicate that it is as if they were brain-dead blind people. If they were walking toward a chasm, they would continue and tumble over the side. In a spiritual sense, that is exactly what was coming. Because of their teaching, Jesus reminds them of a truth found directly in Scripture, asking, “Which, indeed – greater: the gift or the altar the ‘hallowing the gift’?”
 
The answer is found in Exodus 29 –
 
“Seven days you will ‘cover’ upon the altar, and you will consecrate את it. And it will be, the altar, ‘sacred, sacreds’. All the ‘touching’ in the altar, it will be sacred.” Exodus 29:37
 
It is the altar that sanctifies what touches it. A gift may be of silver, gold, etc. But there are idols made of those things. There are coins made of metals. The substance of the gift comes from the ground and has no intrinsic holiness. But when it is placed upon the altar, it becomes sacred.
 
Ultimately, it is the Lord who sanctified the sanctuary where the altar was. Thus, through their ridiculous teaching, they not only dishonored what is taught in the law concerning the altar and what touches it, but more to the point, they dishonored the Lord who sanctified the altar in His sanctuary. For example –
 
“The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” Ezekiel 37:28
 
Israel was in an unclean state among the nations. In their return, they will have a sanctuary authorized by the Lord. That sanctuary will be sanctified because of the Lord. In turn, the people who were previously unclean will be sanctified by the sanctuary which is sanctified by the Lord.
 
An altar in a pagan temple sanctifies nothing. The altar in Israel was not sacred unless the Lord sanctified it. Once the altar is sanctified, that which touches it becomes sacred. Everything leads back to the Source.
 
Life application: The Jewish culture has a phrase used during marriage rites that says, “Blessed are You, Lord, Who sanctifies His people Israel through chupah and kiddushin.” The meaning is “through the marriage canopy and sanctification/betrothal.”
 
The claim is that because they do these things, the Lord sanctifies His people. But if they are not obedient to the law they agreed to, how can they be sanctified? They remain unclean before the Lord. This is the state they have been in since they rejected Jesus, followed by the destruction of the temple.
 
They have lived among the Gentiles, in a state of being rejected, just as the law proclaimed would happen. They have been regathered to the land of Israel and are being prepared for entry into the New Covenant, but they are not there yet.
 
The society in general accepts many things contrary to sound morality. For example, the marriage ceremony that claims they are sanctified through it has been adapted (queered) to accommodate same-sex relationships.
 
Just as in conservative vs. liberal churches, there are branches of Judaism that reject this while others accept it. But this reveals how people claim sanctification without any justification. Churches that ordain women, for example, do so contrary to the clear words of Scripture. And yet, they claim they are led by the Holy Spirit.
 
But the Spirit cannot condone what He has already determined is unacceptable. Holiness and sanctification must stem from the Lord. As the word is given by the Lord, a state of holiness can only exist when one lives in accord with the word.
 
To some extent, we all fail in this, and that is where grace is needed, but a direct refusal to adhere to Scripture can never be considered acceptable. Be careful to not get caught up in fancy words that have no substance behind them. The word of the Lord is the substance we are to use to guide our lives and actions. Endeavor to learn and apply this precious word to your lives.
 
Lord God, may we think clearly and soberly about what Your word says, applying it to our lives in the proper context. May we revere Your word as sacred because it comes from You, the Sanctifier of Your word and of Your people. Amen.
 

Tuesday, 13 October 2026
 
And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ Matthew 23:18
 
“And who, if he should swear ‘in the altar’, nothing, it is. Who, also, if he should swear ‘in the gift’, the ‘atop it’, he is obligated.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Moronics and blind! Which, indeed, greater, it is, the gold or the temple, the ‘having hallowed the gold’?” He next turns to more illogical thinking on their part, repeating what they say, “And who, if he should swear ‘in the altar’, nothing, it is.”
 
The doctrine of the scribes and Pharisees taught that when someone swore by the altar of the temple, the vow could be released, as if it were unimportant. This is the same as their unholy attitude in verse 16 concerning the temple. Jesus continues, citing their illogical thinking, saying, “Who, also, if he should swear ‘in the gift’, the ‘atop it’, he is obligated.”
 
The altar is the brazen altar first described in Exodus 27:1-8 for use in the tabernacle. The altar, in every detail, pointed to the sacrificial role of Christ. Later, the altar for the temple is described in 2 Chronicles 4:1 –
 
“Moreover he made a bronze altar: twenty cubits was its length, twenty cubits its width, and ten cubits its height.”
 
This altar was large and impressive. The “gift” upon the altar refers to the animal sacrifices brought forth by the people. The acceptable sacrifices are detailed in the law. Each of them also anticipates the work of Christ, including as He fellowships with His people.
 
Jesus will again show them the illogical nature of their doctrine.
 
Life application: As noted above, Jesus is the fulfillment of the offerings and sacrifices detailed in the law. An example of this is found in Ephesians 5 –
 
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1, 2
 
The “sweet-smelling aroma” comes from the terminology found in law. A similar phrase is found repeatedly there. One example is the sin offering for the people when they sin –
 
“If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty, 28 or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. 29 And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering. 30 Then the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour all the remaining blood at the base of the altar. 31 He shall remove all its fat, as fat is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma to the Lord. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.” Leviticus 4:27-31
 
What may seem like a tedious read when you get to Leviticus and all of its sacrificial detail is actually a presentation of the work of Christ. Everything about these verses points to Him and His work. To show the supremacy of Christ’s single sacrifice over the repeated sacrifices of the temple, the author of Hebrews says –
 
For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,But a body You have prepared for Me.6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sinYou had no pleasure.7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’”8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
 
As you can see, the Bible is taking us on a journey, anticipating Christ while moving mankind from law to grace. Why anyone would want to step back from God’s grace in Christ and return to a system that could never take away sin is hard to understand. Be grateful to God for what He has done in Christ. Accept His grace, and trust in Him in all your days. In this, God will be pleased with you.
 
Lord God, help us to hold fast to Your grace as it is revealed in the giving of Your Son. Thank You that Jesus has done it all. Now, all we need to do is believe that. Help us to cling to the gospel, never marring it by trying to add to it. Amen.