The Meaning of Matthew 23:13 Explained

Matthew 23:13

KJV: But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

YLT: 'Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut up the reign of the heavens before men, for ye do not go in, nor those going in do ye suffer to enter.

Darby: But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for ye do not enter, nor do ye suffer those that are entering to go in.

ASV: But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering in to enter.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  woe  unto you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  for  ye shut up  the kingdom  of heaven  against  men:  for  ye  neither  go in  [yourselves], neither  suffer ye  them that are entering  to go in. 

What does Matthew 23:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 23:13-26 - Woes For The False-Hearted
These repeated woes may be translated, Alas for you! Our Lord with unfailing accuracy indicates the inevitable doom which such conduct as that of the Pharisees and scribes must incur. He forewarned them that they could expect nothing in the dread future but the judgment of Gehenna-the metaphor being taken from the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where fires were kept burning to consume rubbish and refuse.
Hypocrisy is hiding under a cloak of religion the sins which the ordinary moralist and worldling would condemn. It is very injurious, because it hinders men from entering the Kingdom, Matthew 23:13. It is punctilious in its exactions, because while it strains out gnats, it swallows camels, Matthew 23:23-24. It expends itself on outward ritual-the Pharisees would not enter Pilate's hall on the day before the Passover, but they murdered the holy Savior. Above all things, let us be true, professing to be no more than we are! [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 23

1  Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples
5  His disciples must beware of their ambition
13  He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,
34  and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem

Greek Commentary for Matthew 23:13

Hypocrites [υποκριται]
This terrible word of Jesus appears first from him in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16; Matthew 7:5), then in Matthew 15:7 and Matthew 22:18. Here it appears “with terrific iteration” (Bruce) save in the third of the seven woes (Matthew 23:13, Matthew 23:15, Matthew 23:23, Matthew 23:25, Matthew 23:27, Matthew 23:29). The verb in the active The MSS. that insert it put it either before Matthew 23:13 or after Matthew 23:13. Plummer cites these seven woes as another example of Matthew‘s fondness for the number seven, more fancy than fact for Matthew‘s Gospel is not the Apocalypse of John. These are all illustrations of Pharisaic saying and not doing (Allen). [source]
Ye shut the kingdom of heaven [κλειετε την βασιλειαν των ουρανων]
In Luke 11:52 the lawyers are accused of keeping the door to the house of knowledge locked and with flinging away the keys so as to keep themselves and the people in ignorance. These custodians of the kingdom by their teaching obscured the way to life. It is a tragedy to think how preachers and teachers of the kingdom of God may block the door for those who try to enter in Literally, before. These door-keepers of the kingdom slam it shut in men‘s faces and they themselves are on the outside where they will remain. They hide the key to keep others from going in. [source]
Against [εμπροστεν]
Literally, before. These door-keepers of the kingdom slam it shut in men‘s faces and they themselves are on the outside where they will remain. They hide the key to keep others from going in. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 23:13

Matthew 23:13 Hypocrites [υποκριται]
This terrible word of Jesus appears first from him in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16; Matthew 7:5), then in Matthew 15:7 and Matthew 22:18. Here it appears “with terrific iteration” (Bruce) save in the third of the seven woes (Matthew 23:13, Matthew 23:15, Matthew 23:23, Matthew 23:25, Matthew 23:27, Matthew 23:29). The verb in the active The MSS. that insert it put it either before Matthew 23:13 or after Matthew 23:13. Plummer cites these seven woes as another example of Matthew‘s fondness for the number seven, more fancy than fact for Matthew‘s Gospel is not the Apocalypse of John. These are all illustrations of Pharisaic saying and not doing (Allen). [source]
Matthew 8:12 Into the outer darkness [εις το σκοτος το εχωτερον]
Comparative adjective like our “further out,” the darkness outside the limits of the lighted palace, one of the figures for hell or punishment (Matthew 23:13; Matthew 25:30). The repeated article makes it bolder and more impressive, “the darkness the outside,” there where the wailing and gnashing of teeth is heard in the thick blackness of night. [source]
Matthew 9:36 Were distressed and scattered [ησαν εσκυλμενοι και εριμμενοι]
Periphrastic past perfect indicative passive. A sad and pitiful state the crowds were in. Rent or mangled as if by wild beasts. Σκυλλω — Skullō occurs in the papyri in sense of plunder, concern, vexation. “Used here of the common people, it describes their religious condition. They were harassed, importuned, bewildered by those who should have taught them; hindered from entering into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 23:13), laden with the burdens which the Pharisees laid upon them (Matthew 23:3). Εριμμενοι — Erimmenoi denotes men cast down and prostrate on the ground, whether from drunkenness, Polyb. v. 48.2, or from mortal wounds” (Allen): This perfect passive participle from ριπτω — rhiptō to throw down. The masses were in a state of mental dejection. No wonder that Jesus was moved with compassion (εσπλαγχνιστη — esplagchnisthē). [source]
Luke 20:20 Which should feign [ὑποκρινομένους]
Lit., feigning. Rev., which feigned. Only here in New Testament. See on hypocr ites, Matthew 23:13. [source]
Luke 12:1 Hypocrisy []
See on hypocrites, Matthew 23:13. [source]
Luke 12:1 Many thousands [μυριαδων]
Genitive absolute with επισυναχτεισων — episunachtheisōn (first aorist passive participle feminine plural because of μυριαδων — muriadōn), a double compound late verb, επισυναγω — episunagō to gather together unto. The word “myriads” is probably hyperbolical as in Acts 21:20, but in the sense of ten thousand, as in Acts 19:19, it means a very large crowd apparently drawn together by the violent attacks of the rabbis against Jesus.Insomuch that they trode one upon another (ωστε καταπατειν αλληλους — hōste katapatein allēlous). The imagination must complete the picture of this jam.Unto his disciples first of all This long discourse in Luke 12 is really a series of separate talks to various groups in the vast crowds around Jesus. This particular talk goes through Luke 12:12.Beware of (προσεχετε εαυτοις απο — prosechete heautois apo). Put your mind (νουν — noun understood) for yourselves (dative) and avoid (απο — apo with the ablative).The leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy In Mark 8:15 Jesus had coupled the lesson of the Pharisees with that of Herod, in Matthew 16:6 with that of the Sadducees also. He had long ago called the Pharisees hypocrites (Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16). The occasion was ripe here for this crisp saying. In Matthew 13:33 leaven does not have an evil sense as here. See note on Matthew 23:13 for hypocrites. Hypocrisy was the leading Pharisaic vice (Bruce) and was a mark of sanctity to hide an evil heart. [source]
Luke 12:1 Unto his disciples first of all [προς τους ματητας αυτου πρωτον]
This long discourse in Luke 12 is really a series of separate talks to various groups in the vast crowds around Jesus. This particular talk goes through Luke 12:12.Beware of (προσεχετε εαυτοις απο — prosechete heautois apo). Put your mind (νουν — noun understood) for yourselves (dative) and avoid (απο — apo with the ablative).The leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy In Mark 8:15 Jesus had coupled the lesson of the Pharisees with that of Herod, in Matthew 16:6 with that of the Sadducees also. He had long ago called the Pharisees hypocrites (Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16). The occasion was ripe here for this crisp saying. In Matthew 13:33 leaven does not have an evil sense as here. See note on Matthew 23:13 for hypocrites. Hypocrisy was the leading Pharisaic vice (Bruce) and was a mark of sanctity to hide an evil heart. [source]
Luke 12:1 The leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy [της ζυμης ητις εστιν υποχρισις των Παρισαιων]
In Mark 8:15 Jesus had coupled the lesson of the Pharisees with that of Herod, in Matthew 16:6 with that of the Sadducees also. He had long ago called the Pharisees hypocrites (Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16). The occasion was ripe here for this crisp saying. In Matthew 13:33 leaven does not have an evil sense as here. See note on Matthew 23:13 for hypocrites. Hypocrisy was the leading Pharisaic vice (Bruce) and was a mark of sanctity to hide an evil heart. [source]
John 3:17 Condemn [κρίνῃ]
Better, as Rev., judge. Condemn is κατακρίνω , not used by John (Matthew 20:18; Mark 10:33, etc.). The verb κρίνω means, originally, to separate. So Homer, of Ceres separating the grain from the chaff (“Iliad,” v. 501). Thence, to distinguish, to pick out, to be of opinion, to judge. See on Hypocrite, Matthew 23:13. [source]
Romans 12:9 Without dissimulation [ἀνυπόκριτος]
Rev., without hypocrisy. See on hypocrites, Matthew 23:13. [source]
Galatians 5:15 Bite and devour [δάκνετε καὶ κατεσθίετε]
Strong expressions of partisan hatred exerting itself for mutual injury. Δάκνειν tobite, N.T.oIn lxx metaphorically, Micah 3:5; Habakkuk 2:7. For κατεσθίειν devourcomp. Matthew 23:13; 2 Corinthians 11:20; Revelation 11:5. [source]
1 Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy [ἐν ὑποκρίσει ψευδολόγων]
Wrong. Rend., through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies. Ὑποκρίσις hypocrisyonce in Paul, Galatians 2:13, see note. See also on Matthew 23:13. The phrase ἐν ὑποκρίσει only here. Ψευδολόγος speakinglies, N.T.oolxx. Rare in Class. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 23:13 mean?

Woe however to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites For you shut up the kingdom of the heavens before - men You for neither enter nor even those who are entering do you allow to go in
Οὐαὶ δὲ ὑμῖν γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί ὅτι κλείετε τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὑμεῖς γὰρ οὐκ εἰσέρχεσθε οὐδὲ τοὺς εἰσερχομένους ἀφίετε εἰσελθεῖν

Οὐαὶ  Woe 
Parse: Interjection
Root: οὐαί  
Sense: alas, woe.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
γραμματεῖς  scribes 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: γραμματεύς  
Sense: a clerk, scribe, esp.
Φαρισαῖοι  Pharisees 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: Φαρισαῖος  
Sense: A sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile.
ὑποκριταί  hypocrites 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: ὑποκριτής  
Sense: one who answers, an interpreter.
κλείετε  you  shut  up 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κλείω  
Sense: to shut, shut up.
βασιλείαν  kingdom 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: βασιλεία  
Sense: royal power, kingship, dominion, rule.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
οὐρανῶν  heavens 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: οὐρανός  
Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it.
ἔμπροσθεν  before 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἔμπροσθεν  
Sense: in front, before.
τῶν  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀνθρώπων  men 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
οὐκ  neither 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
εἰσέρχεσθε  enter 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: εἰσέρχομαι  
Sense: to go out or come in: to enter.
οὐδὲ  nor  even 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: οὐδέ  
Sense: but not, neither, nor, not even.
τοὺς  those  who 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εἰσερχομένους  are  entering 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: εἰσέρχομαι  
Sense: to go out or come in: to enter.
ἀφίετε  do  you  allow 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀφίημι 
Sense: to send away.
εἰσελθεῖν  to  go  in 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: εἰσέρχομαι  
Sense: to go out or come in: to enter.