Matthew 23:15
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 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 #:
5 of 25
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
ὑποκριταί
hypocrites
G5273
ὑποκριταί
hypocrites
Strong's:
G5273
Word #:
6 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 #:
7 of 25
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
περιάγετε
ye compass
G4013
περιάγετε
ye compass
Strong's:
G4013
Word #:
8 of 25
to take around (as a companion); reflexively, to walk around
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ξηρὰν
land
G3584
ξηρὰν
land
Strong's:
G3584
Word #:
13 of 25
arid; by implication, shrunken, earth (as opposed to water)
ποιεῖτε
to make
G4160
ποιεῖτε
to make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
14 of 25
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
προσήλυτον
proselyte
G4339
προσήλυτον
proselyte
Strong's:
G4339
Word #:
16 of 25
an arriver from a foreign region, i.e., (specially), an acceder (convert) to judaism ("proselyte")
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
18 of 25
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
γένηται
he is made
G1096
γένηται
he is made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
19 of 25
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ποιεῖτε
to make
G4160
ποιεῖτε
to make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
20 of 25
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
υἱὸν
the child
G5207
υἱὸν
the child
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
22 of 25
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Cross References
Acts 13:10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?Acts 13:43Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.Ephesians 2:3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.Acts 14:2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.Matthew 5:22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.Galatians 6:12As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.Galatians 4:17They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
Historical Context
The historical setting involved complex religious and political dynamics. Jewish leaders maintained authority through Roman tolerance while common people sought deliverance. Jesus' teaching addressed both immediate concerns and eternal truths.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage challenge your understanding of God's character?
- What practical application does this truth have in your daily walk?
- How should this verse shape your priorities and decisions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This text illustrates key Reformed principles: sola Scriptura, sola gratia, and sola fide. The passage demonstrates how God's Word speaks authoritatively to human need, revealing both our depravity and God's merciful provision through Christ.