Matthew 23:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
6 of 25
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
ὑποκριταί
hypocrites
G5273
ὑποκριταί
hypocrites
Strong's:
G5273
Word #:
7 of 25
an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"
ὅτι
! for
G3754
ὅτι
! for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 25
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανῶν
of heaven
G3772
οὐρανῶν
of heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
13 of 25
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἔμπροσθεν
against
G1715
ἔμπροσθεν
against
Strong's:
G1715
Word #:
14 of 25
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
18 of 25
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
οὐκ
yourselves neither
G3756
οὐκ
yourselves neither
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
19 of 25
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 11:52Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.Matthew 23:29Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,Zechariah 11:17Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.Matthew 23:23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Matthew 23:27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.Acts 8:1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.Isaiah 33:14The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?2 Timothy 4:15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.2 Timothy 3:8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.Acts 13:8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Historical Context
By AD 30, the scribes and Pharisees controlled popular religious teaching throughout Judea and Galilee. Their rejection of Jesus as Messiah, backed by their authority and scholarship, influenced countless Jews to reject Him. After His resurrection, they continued opposing the Gospel (Acts 4:1-3, 5:17-18), fulfilling Jesus's accusation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do religious leaders today 'shut the kingdom of heaven' by teaching falsehood or creating barriers to faith?
- What makes blocking others from salvation worse than merely failing to enter oneself?
- Why does Jesus grieve (woe) over the Pharisees rather than simply condemning them in anger?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men—the Greek ouai (οὐαί, woe) expresses not anger but profound grief, like a funeral lament. Hypokritai (ὑποκριταί, hypocrites) derives from Greek theater, meaning actors wearing masks—their piety was performance, not reality. The phrase kleiete tēn basileian tōn ouranōn (κλείετε τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν, you shut the kingdom of heaven) uses a vivid metaphor: they stand at the gate, blocking entrance.
The tragedy deepens: you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. The verb aphiete (ἀφίετε, allow) shows active obstruction, not passive failure. The Pharisees rejected Jesus (the door to the kingdom, John 10:9) and prevented others from entering by teaching that He was demon-possessed (Matthew 12:24). This is the gravest indictment: not merely missing salvation themselves, but blocking others from finding it.