Note 6 at Mt. 23:13: Jesus pronounces eight denunciations in Matthew 23, each beginning with "Woe unto you" (Mt. 23:13- 16,23,25,27,29). "Woe" is the Greek word "ouai" used by the Lord as an interjection in denunciation of hypocrisy (see note 6 at Mk. 7:6, p. 189; see note 2 at Mt. 22:18, p. 378). The word "woe" actually means "to cause deep sorrow, grief, misfortune, or calamity." Jesus pronounced it against those religious leaders who professed to hold virtues that they did not possess.

It is used in scripture in Matthew 11:21; 18:7 twice; Matthew 23 eight times; Matthew 24:19; 26:24; Mark 13:17; 14:21; Luke 6:24-26 four times; 10:13 twice; Luke 11 six times; 17:1; 21:23; 22:22; 1 Corinthians 9:16; Jude 11; Revelation 8:13 three times; 9:12 twice; 11:14 twice; and 12:12. Revelation 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' expose of these scribes and Pharisees, He details the main characteristics of a hypocrite. Hypocrites don't practice what they preach (vv. 3- 4), they always seek self-glory instead of seeking to glorify God (vv. 5-7), they have their priorities wrong (vv. 16-24), they focus on outward show instead of the inner condition of the heart (vv. 25-28), and they always persecute the true worshipers of God (vv. 29-35).

Note 8 at Mt. 23:13: There are two main types of hypocrisy: (1) people don't practice what they preach (Ti. 1:16) and (2) people's motives are wrong even though their actions are right (Mt. 15:8). This second type of hypocrisy was that which 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 1 Corinthians 13:3 and 2 Corinthians 9:7 make it clear that giving will profit us nothing unless we 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 a hypocrite, 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 men despaired of ever being good enough to be accepted by God, and the second way was that their hypocrisy made men think, "If what they have is salvation, then I don't want it."

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