Note 1 at Mt. 23:1: This rebuke by Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy was the harshest treatment that He ever gave to any group (see note 3 at Lk. 11:44, p. 264). He also did this publicly before the multitude that these hypocrites so longed to impress.

Jesus had faced many battles with the scribes and Pharisees before. On this particular day, this encounter had started with the chief priests and elders challenging Jesus' authority (see note 1 at Lk. 20:2, p. 369). Jesus stunned them by replying with a question that challenged their authority. He then used three parables to illustrate that these leaders of the Jews had rejected the rule of God in their lives despite their pious religious acts. They "perceived that he spake of them" (Mt. 21:45).

The Pharisees countered by tempting Jesus with a question about paying taxes to the Roman government (see note 1 at Lk. 20:20, p. 377). Then the Sadducees tried to stop Jesus with a question about the resurrection (see note 1 at Mt. 22:23, p. 378; see note 1 at Lk. 20:29, p. 381), and finally, a lawyer tried to snare Him with a question about what was the greatest commandment (see note 3 at Mk. 12:28, p. 383). Jesus did so well in each test that "no man after that durst ask him any question" (Mk. 12:34). Jesus then asked these leaders who were supposed to know it all a question that none of them could answer.

These were the events of the day that led up to Jesus' stinging public rebuke of these hypocrites, and this rebuke was given with Jesus knowing full well that they were planning to kill Him. Jesus was totally fearless in the face of their threats.