Daily Writing

Sunday, 8 November 2026

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. Matthew 24:4

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And answering, the ‘Jesus’, He said to them, ‘You must look, lest anyone, you, he should ‘roam’.’” (CG)

In the previous verse, while Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, His disciples came to Him privately, asking when the things He referred to would be, and what the sign of His advent and the consummation of the age would be. Matthew next records, “And answering, the ‘Jesus’, He said to them, ‘You must look, lest anyone, you, he should ‘roam’.’”

In other words, Jesus warns them that they should be on guard to keep from being deceived. He uses the word planaó, to roam. In this case, He uses it in the sense of causing another to roam.

As seen a few times already, this word is the etymological root of our word planet. Just as a planet appears to roam in the sky, Jesus says that, as a star appears to remain fixed in the sky, His disciples should be grounded in their thinking and fixed in their thoughts concerning what He says. The way someone would fail at this would be for him to be led astray.

The specific means by which someone might deceive others in this manner will be explained in the coming verses. The words Jesus uses tell us that what He says is intended for those who will come later, not specifically the apostles themselves.

Life application: The disciples came to Jesus because they were curious about the events of the consummation of the age. That certainly means something different to the church than it does to Israel. The church has a set age in which it operates. Israel had an age in which it operated.

However, almost like a cosmic clock that stopped, Israel’s age ceased running. Jesus will refer to the words of Daniel the prophet in verse 15. Daniel gives a specific timeline of events for the nation of Israel. However, no matter which way you interpret those verses, there will be a gap of time in them.

Some think the gap was a very short time, maybe a few years. Some think it was approximately forty years, referring to the destruction of the temple in AD70. Others who hold to the dispensational model (not hyperdispensationalism) say the gap began at the time following Christ’s crucifixion, and the age will only pick up again after the church age. That is a period that has lasted, so far, for two thousand years.

Those who hold to the shorter view of time claim that the Bible never speaks of such a long gap. That is actually incorrect, but setting that aside, it doesn’t matter if the gap is a week or two thousand years. From God’s perspective, both are just a blip –

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8

The consummation of the church age is not the same as the consummation of the age the disciples have asked about. First, the church age didn’t exist at the time they asked their question.

As such, the disciples had as much understanding of the coming church age as they had concerning how to make a pineapple pizza, something that didn’t exist until 1962 when Sam Panopoulos stepped outside the bounds of traditional cuisine, taking a monumental risk on an untested blend of sweet and savory. His culinary audacity defied the rules of pizza purists, carving out an enduring legacy built on sheer creative bravery. He called his new delight Hawaiian Pizza.

Second, Jesus speaks about those in Judea. Although there are believers in Judea, that is not the focus of the church age. Rather, the entire world is. Judea is the land of the Jews. Jesus also speaks about observing the Sabbath, something set for the nation of Israel.

In the church, some sects observe the Sabbath, thinking they must do so in order to be saved and to remain in God’s favor, but the Sabbath is a requirement for neither. Standard, proper Christian theology understands that the Sabbath is fulfilled in Christ. Those who believe in the finished work of Christ enter into what the Sabbath only pictured. That is explicitly stated several times in the epistles.

These and other clues in Chapter 24 make it clear that what Jesus speaks of in this chapter is directed to Israel, the nation which is comprised of Jews. The church is a separate entity that has its own age, an age that will end before the time when the age of Israel under the law recommences. That period will last for seven years.

For now, despite Israel being back in the land and being prepared for what lies ahead, they remain Lo Ammi, Not My People, in God’s redemptive plan. Be sure not to mix the dispensations that the Bible presents. In doing so, you will do well. And if you have never tried pineapple pizza, give it a shot. You might like it.

Lord God, thank You that in the church, we are saved by grace through faith and that through this faith, we will be brought into Your presence at the rapture. We long for that day and pray for its coming. May it be soon. Amen.

Saturday, 7 November 2026

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Sitting, also He, upon the ‘Mount, the Olives’, they came to Him, the disciples, in private, saying, ‘You tell us when these, it will be? And what the sign, the ‘Your advent’, and the ‘consummation, the age’?’” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus told the disciples that not one stone of the temple and its associated structures would be left upon another. They would all be thrown down. Matthew next says, “Sitting, also He, upon the ‘Mount, the Olives’.”

As noted in a previous commentary, this movement from the temple to the Mount of Olives matches the pattern of the Lord, Yehovah, departing from the temple in Ezekiel before its destruction. From there, it said –

“And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain, which is on the east side of the city.” Ezekiel 11:23

Jesus reveals His divinity through following this same pattern. He is the Lord, Yehovah, incarnate, repeating that which has been done. Having moved to the Mount of Olives in this manner, it next says, “they came to Him, the disciples, in private.”

In Mark 13, it says, “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately…” Thus, this may be only those four whom Jesus is speaking to. It may also be that other disciples were already there, these four were talking about Jesus’ words, and they then joined the other disciples and asked the question.

Either way, Matthew is aware of the words of Jesus. So either he was there, or he later was told about the conversation. As for the reason for coming to Jesus privately, Matthew next records that they were “saying, ‘You tell us when these, it will be?’”

The meaning of “these” is based on the previous verse. First, in Matthew 23, Jesus said to Jerusalem that its house was left to it desolate. Then, in verse 24:2, Jesus noted that every stone would be thrown down. This is the “these” they are referring to. But they question further, asking a question that is still waiting for its fulfillment two thousand years later: “And what the sign, the ‘Your advent’, and the ‘consummation, the age’?”

A new word is seen: parousia, advent. It is usually translated as “coming” and most often applied to the Lord’s coming. But there are instances where it is applied to the coming of another, such as Stephanas in 1 Corinthians 16:17 or Titus in 2 Corinthians 7:6. HELPS Word Studies says –

“parousía (from parōn, ‘be present, arrive to enter into a situation’) – properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (cf. LS). 3952 (parousía) is a ‘technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, “a royal visit”’ (Souter) – ‘hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ’ (A-S).”

So, the disciples want to know about the sign of Jesus’ advent, His coming. To come, one must first be gone. Therefore, it is probable that they are specifically talking about Jesus’ words of Matthew 23:39, “for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

At this time, the disciples must have thought Jesus wouldn’t return to Jerusalem until they acknowledged Him in this way, not that He would be gone from them. There is no indication that they knew He would be gone from them, be it days, months, years, or millennia. However, because of Jesus’ words, they were aware that the temple would be destroyed and that He would only return to Jerusalem at some point in the future.

The confusion in the minds of these men, even after being told everything, having seen Him crucified and raised, and having spent forty days with Him, is evident from the words of Acts 1, where it says –

“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ ⁷ And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. ⁸ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” Acts 1:6-8

Even after all of His instruction, they were still thinking Christ’s kingdom and rule over Israel would come about right then. Now, two thousand years later, we are still waiting for the end-times events to come about.

Life application: The Bible is written. We have all the information that God intends to give us until all things are complete. We are not going to be told when the rapture will be. Jesus will not pop into someone’s head and say, “You need to call on Me to be saved.”

The Bible is given to tell us all we need to know about future events, the doctrine of salvation, what to do so that others can be saved, etc. We should not assume that God is going to make an exception to this. Nor should we be looking for such a thing.

Let us pick up the Bible, read it, contemplate it, and accept that it is exactly what we need for our life conduct, walk before the Lord, and information about what is coming. What else do we need? Nothing! Read the Bible and be informed!

Lord God, even the apostles had no idea of the scope of Your plan. Here we are two thousand years later, still waiting for the words of Scripture to come to pass. Help us be patient and also diligent in conducting our affairs, not idly sitting around speculating on things You have not told us about. May we be productive Christians, doing the business You have given us. Amen.

Friday, 6 November 2026

And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“The ‘also Jesus’, He said to them, ‘Not you see all these? Amen, I say to you, no not it may be left here, stone upon stone, which not it will be collapsed.’” (CG)

In the previous verse, it said that Jesus departed from the temple and that His disciples came to show Him the buildings of the temple. Despite its magnificence, Matthew records, “The ‘also Jesus’, He said to them, ‘Not you see all these?’”

One can almost sense the conversation. Jesus had proclaimed to Jerusalem that her house would be left to her desolate. Probably stunned by that prophecy, the disciples called attention to the temple mount and all the structures on it, noting how long it took to build and all the careful effort taken to ensure it would always remain standing.

Jesus, knowing the future, may have said, “Yes, I have seen them. But what you see is not what I see. Take a careful look!” This is all speculation, but it probably gets the sense of what transpired between them. With Jesus having called their attention to the scene, He next says, “Amen, I say to you, no not it may be left here, stone upon stone.”

Jesus speaks of the event as certain. Not only will the temple be destroyed, but there will not be a single stone left to indicate it was ever there. Of this, Albert Barnes gives a thorough description, saying –

“After the city was taken, Josephus says that Titus ‘gave orders that they should now “demolish the whole city and temple,” except three towers, which he reserved standing. But for the rest of the wall, it was laid so completely even with the ground by those who “dug it up from the foundation,” that there was nothing left to make those believe who came hither that it had ever been inhabited.’ Maimonides, a Jewish writer, has also recorded that ‘Terentius Rufus, an officer in the army of Titus, with a plowshare tore up the foundations of the temple, that the prophecy might be fulfilled, “Zion shall be plowed as a field,”’ Micah 3:12. This was all done by the direction of divine Providence. Titus was desirous of preserving the temple, and frequently sent Josephus to the Jews to induce them to surrender and save the temple and city. But the prediction of the Saviour had gone forth, and, notwithstanding the wish of the Roman general, the temple was to be destroyed. The Jews themselves first set fire to the porticoes of the temple. One of the Roman soldiers, without any command, threw a burning firebrand into the golden window, and soon the temple was in flames. Titus gave orders to extinguish the fire; but, amid the tumult, none of the orders were obeyed. The soldiers pressed to the temple, and neither fear nor entreaties, nor stripes could restrain them. Their hatred of the Jews urged them on to the work of destruction, and thus, says Josephus, the temple was burned against the will of Caesar. – Jewish Wars, b. 6 chapter 4, section 5-7.”

The words of Jesus were validated. Jesus had said that the sign of Jonah would be given for the people to understand. Jonah’s words to Nineveh were, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” In the standard biblical pattern, a day for a year, Jerusalem (which Nineveh pictured) was destroyed forty years later. So complete was the destruction that Jesus said concerning every one of the stones, “which not it will be collapsed.”

Just as He spoke, so it came to pass. They plowed the temple mount like a field. Any visitor would see just a barren base, as if waiting for someone to come and erect a building on it, not realizing one once stood there.

Life application: Jesus proclaimed what would occur, even telling the people when it would take place. To the minutest detail, His words were validated. And yet, to this day, He is dismissed by the nation of Israel. His name is normally not spoken, except in a derogatory manner. His memory among the nation is like that of a person who is a leprous outcast.

Imagine it! God Himself came to His own people in the Person of Jesus. He perfectly fulfilled every prophecy spoken in anticipation of His coming. And more, no other person since then could fulfill the prophecies. And so either Jesus is who He claimed to be, or the Bible is not the word of God.

Despite all of the evidence to validate who Jesus is, He is utterly rejected by them. And now, after two thousand years, the church itself is turning away from Him in an immense way. There are still many faithful believers around the world. But the large denominations that have carried the message of Jesus are scorning Him and biblical doctrine more each day.

The world is ripe for judgment. When will that day be? We have to wait and see. But until it comes, we should carefully guard the faith, passing it to others and constantly fixing our eyes on the Lord so that we don’t get pulled away from soundness of faith.

Jesus! Let us focus our lives each day on the One who has come, prevailed over sin and death, and who promises to bring us home someday. May we be willing to share the good news with those around us. There is hope in Jesus. Without Him, there is only a temporary life of futility followed by an eternity of separation from God. Jesus! Let us focus on Jesus.

Lord God, there is nothing surer than the words of Scripture that tell us of the coming of Jesus. Every prophecy finds its fulfillment in Him. Every word is given to assure us that in finding Jesus, we have found the One the Bible proclaims. Help us to get the good news out to the world that Jesus has come and that in Him, there is salvation. Hallelujah for Jesus! Amen.

Thursday, 5 November 2026

Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. Matthew 24:1

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And having departed, the ‘Jesus’, He traversed from the temple, and they approached, the ‘disciples, His’, to exhibit to Him the ‘buildings, the temple’.” (CG)

In the previous verse, Jesus finished Chapter 23 with His warning to Jerusalem that they would not see Him again until they should speak, “Having been blessed, the ‘Coming in Name, Lord’.” Chapter 24, a chapter filled with prophecies concerning Israel’s future, begins with, “And having departed, the ‘Jesus’, He traversed from the temple.”

Matthew records this as a point of reference. Jesus had been at the temple. He pronounced woes upon Israel’s spiritual leadership and told the city (meaning its leaders) they would see Him no more until they acknowledged Him as the Christ, coming in the Name of the Lord.

In stating that He has traversed from the temple, it means He will not return there again without that condition being met. While traversing from there, it next says, “and they approached, the ‘disciples, His’, to exhibit to Him the ‘buildings, the temple’.”

A new word is seen here, oikodomé, architecture, but concretely, a structure. It is also used figuratively, such as building one up, as in edification. It is from oikos, a dwelling and usually translated as house or home, and the base of the word dóma, an edifice, but especially a housetop.

Jesus had just proclaimed to Jerusalem that her house was left to her desolate. The disciples understood the meaning of this, having had their first temple, meaning Solomon’s temple, destroyed by the Babylonians. This temple, built by Herod, had been under construction for forty-six years, as noted in John 2:20.

The temple and its complex were massive, beautifully ordained, and built upon a structure that covered an entire mountain (Mount Moriah). Walking from the temple to their next destination at the Mount of Olives, the temple is in open view. Considering it, the disciples surely questioned how something so grand and magnificent could be made desolate.

The amazing size of the stones alone would make this seem impossible. The foundation stones were absolutely enormous. Its largest known stone today is called the Great Stone. It is located underground in the tunnels under the Western Wall. Though probably not visible at the time, it would be known about, being one of the largest single building blocks ever used in human history.

It is over 44 feet long, has a height reaching twelve feet, and is estimated to be between six and fifteen feet thick. Though unknown, its weight is estimated to be between 285 and 570 tons. Its placement would have been the stuff of legends, and anyone there during the construction would still speak about it.

Other massive stones like this were used as described by Josephus. Barnes, citing this, says, “‘In that temple,’ says Josephus, the Jewish historian, ‘were several stones which were 45 cubits in length, 5 in height, and 6 in breadth;’ that is, more than 70 feet long, 10 wide, and 8 high. These stones, of such enormous size, were principally used in building the high wall on the east side, from the base to the top of the mountain. They were also, it is said, beautifully painted with variegated colors.”

With this in mind, the disciples surely could not fathom how such an edifice atop such a massive foundation could be laid waste.

Life application: Man has accomplished many great things throughout the centuries. Massive complexes of stone have been discovered that formed enormous cities. However, within a short amount of time, the archaeological record shows that they were abandoned.

Skyscrapers are constructed, and it seems like they will last forever. And yet, within a short span, they become obsolete and must be taken down. Others may come down because Islamic terrorists fly planes into them. The great achievements of man don’t seem so great at such times.

Some people build empires worth amazing amounts of money. Solomon is often referred to as the richest man who ever lived. He controlled an empire that stretched from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines (1 Kings 4:21). And yet, it was divided during the lifetime of his son, and the wealth of the empire quickly faded into the past.

Those things that seem like they will last forever can be gone in a moment. Empires fade away, riches disappear through a single bad decision, and the effort of a lifetime can be erased by a single earthquake or tsunami.

Despite this, humanity can’t seem to learn the lesson the Bible teaches us. Everything will pass away, but the word of the Lord will stand forever. For those who put their trust in Jesus, we have a permanent foundation that can never be shaken. How much better it is to trust in Jesus than in anything this world can offer.

We are young one moment, and our lives are ending in the next. It is as if a few breaths were taken and we are planning for our funerals. Keep Jesus in your mind and heart always. Fix your eyes on Him, and don’t be pulled away from faithful devotion to Him. This will last forever.

Lord God, may we carefully consider our days, knowing that they are few and evil. Everything we work for will be left to others. Help us to leave a good mark on the world we live in through our devotion to You. May we speak about You, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Truly, this is something that will outlast even the mountains. Help us to be wise in this way. Amen.

Wednesday, 4 November 2026

A summary of Matthew Chapter 23.

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen). 

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

To read the CG Translation on YouTube (Click Here), or at Rumble (Click Here).

Daniel also did a link concerning the connection between Matthew 23, the Book of Isaiah, and Isaiah 23. That can be listened to (Clicking Here). His readable notes are (Click Here).

Each chapter of Matthew has provided a broad panorama of what is going on in redemptive history. Reviewing the last few chapters, we saw that Chapter 20 hinted at the transition from the dispensation of the law to the dispensation of grace. It presented the truth that God has made faith in what He has done the necessary condition for man’s salvation.

Chapter 21 continued that thought, dealing specifically with the object of that faith, Jesus Christ. Chapter 21 ended with the parable of the wicked vinedressers, revealing that the vineyard would be taken away from Israel and given to other vinedressers.

Chapter 22 began with the parable of the wedding feast. The symbolism was that the Father was preparing Jesus as a bridegroom. The invitation was made to Israel, but they rejected the offer. Because of this, they were destroyed and their city, Jerusalem, was burned, exactly what later occurred.

From there, the message went throughout the world, inviting anyone to come and share in the banquet. At the end of the parable, it was seen that only those who had the appropriate garments, signifying the righteousness of Christ, were welcome. All others would be cast into outer darkness.

The chapter continued, showing Israel what their true responsibilities are and where their proper doctrine should lie. Though they were destroyed and exiled, it did not mean that the nation was finished as far as God’s redemptive plans are concerned.

Chapter 23 focuses almost all of its attention on the scribes and Pharisees. They represent the spiritual leadership in Israel. Despite Israel being exiled, such leaders have remained among the people all along, in their synagogues and rabbinic schools of instruction.

The scribes and Pharisees essentially got Israel into the mess they were in. The rabbis have continued to mislead the people for the past two thousand years, rejecting Christ and looking to establish their own righteousness apart from Him.

Jesus warned the multitudes concerning such people in verses 1-12, explaining how they should handle such people and with whom their fellowship should be. He stressed the people’s need to focus on the teachings of the Christ and have their affections set on the Father. Verses 10-12 were shown to point specifically to the Christ. They are not merely general statements about followers of Christ.

From verses 13-36, Jesus pronounced eight woes upon the scribes and Pharisees, clearly demonstrating that it is their doctrine and teachings that led the people astray. Sheep follow their shepherds. The scribes and Pharisees were worthless shepherds. A good, comparable chapter in the Old Testament to see the Lord’s attitude toward such worthless leaders is Ezekiel 34. In many ways, the words of that chapter mirror the intent of Jesus in Matthew 23 concerning the scribes and Pharisees and now the rabbis and religious schools.

The final woe pronounced by Jesus went from verses 29-36, warning the scribes and Pharisees that they would be held accountable for all of the blood of the righteous, “from the ‘blood, Abel, the righteous’ until the ‘blood, Zechariah, son, blessed of Yah’ whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” Jesus assured them that this reckoning would arrive upon that generation.

The conclusion stated in the commentary on verse 36 said, “As such, it would logically follow that the generation referred to by Jesus is the entire span of the time of those curses.” In other words, the reckoning of the blood of the righteous was not merely poured out on the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ time, but it continues to this day.

Any worthless shepherd in Israel who fails to proclaim Christ Jesus will be a part of that sure judgment. Verses 37-39 confirm this. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, the city led by these worthless shepherds who misdirected the people, telling the city that she would not see Jesus again until she (meaning the leaders within her) says, “Having been blessed, the ‘Coming in Name, Lord’.”

In other words, until the religious leaders of Israel acknowledge Christ Jesus and direct the people to Him, He will not return. When they do, He will return and save them, as indicated in Revelation 19.

These events marked out in Chapter 23 occurred after Jesus completed His work, meaning during the time of the church age, but the chapter does not deal with the church. It deals with Israel’s responsibility toward Christ and the Father, something that has been almost wholly neglected by Israel for two thousand years.

Paul assures us in Romans 11 that there has always been a remnant of Israel according to the election as grace, but for the most part, the woes pronounced upon the scribes and Pharisees have come upon the leaders. In turn, they have come upon the people who have been misdirected by these wicked leaders. Much suffering is ahead for Israel because they rejected and continue to reject Christ Jesus.

Life application: Chapter 24 lies ahead. It is a mournful chapter of the woes coming upon Israel because of their rejection of Jesus, but before it arrives, the hope of Matthew 23:39 is that Jesus will, in fact, be called out to by the leaders in Jerusalem, and He will return to save them. Despite being mournful information about the state of Israel’s leaders and the nation as a whole, there is hope for this wayward nation. That hope is found in their long-rejected Messiah, Jesus.

Lord God, thank You for Your covenant faithfulness. Even when Your people are unfaithful to You, You remain steadfast and faithful to the word You have pronounced. Were it not so, heaven would remain barren of people. But because of Your goodness, grace, and covenant-keeping, it will be filled with the saints of all ages. Thank You for Jesus, who has made this possible. Amen.

Matthew 23

23 Then, the ‘Jesus’, He spoke to the crowds and to ‘disciples, His’. ²saying, “Upon the ‘Moses’ bench’, they sat, the scribes and the Pharisees.” ³All, therefore, as much if they might say to you to guard, you guard, and you do. According, also, to their works, not you do. They say, indeed, and not they do. ⁴They bind, indeed, burdens, weighty and oppressive, and they lay upon the ‘shoulders, the men’. The also ‘finger, theirs’, not they will to stir them. ⁵All, also, the ‘deeds, theirs’, they do to ‘see’, the men. They widen, also, the ‘phylacteries, theirs’, and they enlarge the ‘tassels, the cloaks, theirs’. ⁶They affectionate, also, the first-reclining in the suppers, and the first-sittings in the synagogues, ⁷and the greetings in the markets, and to be called by the ‘men’, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ ⁸You, also, not you should be called ‘Rabbi.’ One, indeed, He is of you the Guide: the Christ. All, also you, brothers – you are. ⁹And ‘father’, none you should call, of you, upon the earth. One, indeed, He is the ‘Father, yours’, the ‘in the celestial’.

¹⁰Not also you should be called guides. One, indeed, of you, He is the Guide: the Christ. ¹¹The ‘also Greater’ of you, He will be your Attendant. ¹²Who, also, he will elevate himself, he will be humbled, and who, He will humble Himself, He will be elevated*.”

¹³“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you close the ‘kingdom, the heavens’ before the ‘men’. You, indeed, neither enter, nor those entering you permit to enter. ¹⁴Woe, also, to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour the ‘houses, the widows’, and pretense – lengthy praying. Through this, you will receive superabundant judgment.

¹⁵“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you traverse the sea and the arid to make one proselyte, and when he might become, you make him ‘son, Gehenna’ two-fold yourselves.

¹⁶“Woe to you, ‘conductors, blind’! Those saying, ‘Who, if he should swear ‘in the temple’, nothing, it is. Who, also, if he should swear ‘in the gold, the temple’, he is obligated. ¹⁷Moronics and blind! Which, indeed, greater it is, the gold or the temple, the ‘having hallowed the gold’? ¹⁸And 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. ¹⁹Moronics and blind! Which, indeed – greater: the gift or the ‘altar, the hallowing the gift’? ²⁰The ‘therefore having sworn in the altar’, he swears in it and in all those atop it. ²¹And the ‘having sworn in the temple’, he swears in it and in the ‘dwelling, it’. ²²And the ‘having sworn in the heaven’, he swears in the ‘throne, the God’ and in the ‘sitting atop it’.

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! ²⁴‘Guides, blind’! The ‘through-filtering the gnat’, the ‘also camel gulping’.

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. ²⁶‘Pharisee, blind’! You cleanse first the ‘within the cup and the side-dish’ that it might be, also the outward of them, clean.

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’. ²⁸ Thus, also, outwardly – indeed – you appear to the men righteous. Inwardly, also, you are replete – hypocrisy and lawlessness.

²⁹“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees! Hypocrites! Because you build the ‘tombs, the prophets’, and you arrange the ‘sepulchers, the righteous’. ³⁰And you say, ‘If we were in the ‘days, the fathers, us’, not if we were ‘sharers with them’ in the ‘blood, the prophets’. ³¹Thus, you witness to yourselves that sons, you are – the ‘having murdered the prophets’. ³²And you, you must fill the measure, the ‘fathers, yours’. ³³Serpents! ‘Offspring, vipers’! How might you flee from the ‘judgment, the Gehenna’? ³⁴Through this, you must behold! I, I send to you prophets, and wise, and scribes. From them you will kill, and you will crucify, and from them you will flog in the ‘synagogues, yours’, and you will pursue from town to town. ³⁵That it should come upon you all ‘blood, righteous being outpoured upon the earth’, from the ‘blood, Abel, the righteous’ until the ‘blood, Zechariah, son, blessed of Yah’ whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶Amen, I say to you, it will arrive, these all, upon the ‘generation, this’.

³⁷“Jerusalem! Jerusalem! The ‘killing the prophets and stoning those having been sent to her’! How often I willed to upon-gather the ‘children, yours’, which way ‘upon-gathers, hen the chicks, hers under the wings’, and not you willed. ³⁸You must behold! It is left to you, the ‘house, yours’, desolate! ³⁹I say, indeed, to you, no, not Me you should see from now, until if you should speak, “Having been blessed, the ‘Coming in Name, Lord’.”

*Verses 10-12 – It is undoubtedly the case that Jesus refers to Himself in these verses. They explain the reference to “the Christ” in verse 8. Hence, the capitalization.