Note 6 at Mt 23:13: Jesus pronounced eight denunciations in Mt 23, each beginning with, "Woe unto you" (Mt 23:13-16, 23, 25, 27, and 29). "Woe" is the Greek word "OUAI" used by the Lord as an interjection in denunciation of hypocrisy (note 6 at Mr 7:6 and see note 2 at Mt 22:18). The word "woe" actually means "deep distress or misery, as from grief; wretchedness...misfortune; calamity." Jesus pronounced it against those religious leaders who professed to hold virtues that they did not possess.

It is used in Scripture in Mt 11:21 (twice), 18:7 (twice), 23:13-16, 23, 24:19, 26:24; Mr 13:17, 14:21; Lu 6:24 (thirteen times), 6:25 (twice), 6:26 (once), 10:13 (twice), 11:42-44, 46-47, 52, 17:1, 21:23, 22:22; 1Co 9:16; Jude 11; Re 8:13 (twelve times), 9:12 (twice), 11:14 (twice), and 12:12 (once). Re 18:10, 16, and 19 use the word "alas" twice in each of those verses, which means essentially the same as "woe."

Note 7 at Mt 23:13: In Jesus' exposure of these scribes and Pharisees, He detailed the main characteristics of hypocrites. Hypocrites don't practice what they preach (Mt 23:3-4), they always seek self-glory instead of seeking to glorify God (Mt 23:5-7), they have their priorities wrong (Mt 23:16-24), they focus on outward show instead of the inner condition of the heart (Mt 23:25-28), and they always persecute the true worshipers of God (Mt 23:29-35).

Note 8 at Mt 23:13: There are two main types of hypocrisy: (1) not practicing what one preaches (Tit 1:16) and (2) right actions with wrong motives (Mt 15:8). This second type of hypocrisy was what Jesus rebuked in the scribes and Pharisees. It is more subtle than the first type and is very prevalent in religion today.

People universally dislike blatant hypocrisy, but this subtle type of hypocrisy has been encouraged and even promoted by religion. Religion teaches tithing or giving for selfish motives, while 1Co 13:3 and 2Co 9:7 make it clear that giving will profit people nothing unless they have the proper motives. The same thing is done when people try to achieve holiness and when they do many other religious acts. It is not always the acts that are wrong, but if the motivations behind those acts are wrong, those motives can make hypocrites too.

Note 9 at Mt 23:13: These scribes and Pharisees "shut up the kingdom of heaven against men" in two main ways. One way was that they put down so many requirements for salvation that people despaired of ever being good enough to be accepted by God. And the second way was that their hypocrisy made people think, "If what they have is salvation, then I don't want it."

The same thing is happening today. However, those who are rejecting salvation because of the religious hypocrites should remember that if they don't go ahead and receive Jesus as their Lord, then they will have to spend eternity with all those hypocrites in hell.