Matthew 23

The Savior Condemns Hypocrisy

During the last week of the Savior’s mortal ministry, He condemned the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. This lesson can help you avoid hypocrisy and be a humble follower of Jesus Christ.

Understanding the context of the scriptures. Learning about the culture and customs of New Testament times can help students better understand the New Testament. Understanding the context of the scriptures will prepare students to recognize the messages of its inspired authors.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of people who try to follow the Savior with sincerity and pure intent as they serve others.

Possible Learning Activities

If students would benefit more from learning about the protection the Savior offers us than about His teachings on hypocrisy, consider teaching the activity on Matthew 23:37 in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section.

What is hypocrisy?

Prepare three nontransparent cups. Dirty the outside of the first cup and the inside of the second cup, and leave the third cup clean. Display the cups, and ask the class which one they would prefer to drink from. Invite a student to examine the insides of the cups and to explain which cup he or she would prefer to drink from and why.

Photo of three cups. One that is dirty on the inside, one that is dirty on the outside, and one that is clean

In what ways could the dirty cups represent hypocrites?

As students discuss hypocrisy, they should look inward and focus on themselves. Avoid having students point out hypocrisy in others.

The word hypocrite is translated from a Greek word meaning “actor” and refers to one who pretends, exaggerates a part, or is deceitfully inconsistent in one’s actions. It “generally denotes one who pretends to be religious when he is not” (Bible Dictionary, “Hypocrite”). It could also refer to someone who pretends not to be religious when he or she really is.

As you study Matthew 23, look for truths that will help you avoid hypocrisy and become more like Jesus Christ.

As part of the Savior’s final public message during the last week of His mortal ministry, He condemned the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He pointed out that the scribes and Pharisees “[sat] in Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2), which means that they occupied a position of authority to teach the doctrine and interpret and administer the law. They considered themselves more worthy than anyone else in the synagogue.

Read Matthew 23:3–7, looking for what the Savior said about how the scribes and Pharisees were being hypocritical. Before you read, it may be helpful to know that “phylacteries” (verse 5) were small leather boxes that Jews strapped onto the forehead and left arm. Inside the phylacteries were small rolls of parchment that contained specific verses of scripture from the Old Testament. The Jews wore phylacteries to help them remember to follow God’s commandments.

After reading, you may also want to watch the video “Phylacteries” (1:06), found at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

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According to verse 5, why did the scribes and Pharisees enlarge their phylacteries and “the borders of their garments”?

The Lord did not condemn those who wore phylacteries, but He did condemn those who used them hypocritically or enlarged them so that others would notice them or to make themselves appear more important.

What are some dangers of worshipping God in outward acts because you want to be noticed by others?
Why do you think God wants you to worship Him in sincerity and with righteous intent?

In addition to warning the people not to follow the behavior of the scribes and Pharisees, the Savior also spoke directly to the scribes and Pharisees. He pronounced several woes that would come upon them for their hypocrisy (see Matthew 23:13–33). Woe means a condition of misery, distress, and sorrow.

Read Matthew 23:23–28, looking for what the Savior told the scribes and Pharisees.

How do these verses add to your understanding of hypocrisy?

Help students understand that one problem with hypocrisy is that it prevents us from genuinely becoming like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. When we are hypocritical, we focus more on how we appear to others than who we are truly becoming.
What would you say to someone who worries about being a hypocrite when they make mistakes while striving to live the gospel?

If students need help with the above question, share the statement from Elder Jeffrey R Holland in the “Commentary and Background Information” section.

How we can avoid and overcome hypocrisy

In contrast to the scribes and Pharisees, the Savior never acted hypocritically. He taught the people not to consider themselves better than others, because they were all God’s children, equal in His sight. He testified that Heavenly Father is our Creator and that He, Christ, was sent by the Father and is our true Master who gives life (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 23:6 [in Matthew 23:9, footnote a]; Matthew 23:8–10).

Read Matthew 23:11–12, and look for teachings that can help us overcome and avoid hypocrisy. In verse 12, the word exalt means lift, and abased means lowered, humiliated or less respected.

What principle do you think Jesus Christ is teaching us in these verses?

The Savior taught that if we are humble and serve others, the Lord will lift us up. He will help us to become more like Him, and by obedience to His commandments and true repentance God will grant us exaltation in the celestial kingdom.

How is Jesus Christ an example of being humble, serving others, and avoiding hypocrisy?
How can being humble and serving others help you avoid hypocrisy and become more like the Savior?

Display the following statements, and invite students to reflect on which they identify with most often. Encourage students to seek the guidance of the Spirit as they reflect. Remind them that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love them and want to help them overcome hypocrisy. Students could record their thoughts in a study journal.
I pretend to be someone I’m not.
I do good so that I can be noticed by others.
I often think I’m better than others.
Although I make mistakes, I honestly strive to live the gospel.
I try to serve others and do good without seeking recognition.
I try to be humble and not see myself as better than others.

Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost as you identify any areas you can improve in. Remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you and recognize any sincere effort to live the gospel. As you ask Heavenly Father for help, He will help you overcome any weakness or hypocrisy.

Commentary and Background Information

How did the Savior look upon the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees?

In his talk “The Voice of Warning,” Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about how Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees (Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 108–11).

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Am I a hypocrite if I make mistakes as I am strivingto live the gospel?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Brothers and sisters, every one of us aspires to a more Christlike life than we often succeed in living. If we admit that honestly and are trying to improve, we are not hypocrites; we are human.

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 42)

Supplemental Learning Activities