Matthew 23:15

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Οὐαὶ
G3759
Woe
woe
#2
ὑμῖν
G5213
unto you
to (with or by) you
#3
γραμματεῖς
G1122
scribes
a professional writer
#4
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#5
Φαρισαῖοι
G5330
Pharisees
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
#6
ὑποκριταί
G5273
hypocrites
an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"
#7
ὅτι
G3754
! for
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#8
περιάγετε
G4013
ye compass
to take around (as a companion); reflexively, to walk around
#9
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
θάλασσαν
G2281
sea
the sea (genitive case or specially)
#11
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#12
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
ξηρὰν
G3584
land
arid; by implication, shrunken, earth (as opposed to water)
#14
ποιεῖτε
G4160
to make
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#15
ἕνα
G1520
one
one
#16
προσήλυτον
G4339
proselyte
an arriver from a foreign region, i.e., (specially), an acceder (convert) to judaism ("proselyte")
#17
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#18
ὅταν
G3752
when
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
#19
γένηται
G1096
he is made
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#20
ποιεῖτε
G4160
to make
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#21
αὐτὸν
G846
him
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
#22
υἱὸν
G5207
the child
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#23
γεέννης
G1067
of hell
valley of (the son of) hinnom; ge-henna (or ge-hinnom), a valley of jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting p
#24
διπλότερον
G1362
twofold more
two-fold
#25
ὑμῶν
G5216
than yourselves
of (from or concerning) you

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Matthew. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to gospel presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish Messianic hope, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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