_CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 23:1. THEN SPAKE JESUS.—The day of grace is over for the leaders of the people; but for the people themselves there may still be hope; so the Lord of the temple turns to THE MULTITUDE, the general throng of worshippers, mingled with whom were several of His own disciples, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 23:13. WOE.—There is indignation in the word, and just denunciation; but, as Vatable long ago remarked, there is “deploration” too. There is wailing in it. It is rendered “alas!” in Revelation 18:10; Revelation 18:16; Revelation 18:19 (_Morison_). HYPOCRITES.—See note on Mat... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 23:16. GOLD OF THE TEMPLE.—The exact meaning of this expression is uncertain; but the probability is that it refers to money offered as a gift to God, to which the scribes and Pharisees ascribed peculiar sanctity (_Mansel_). See R.V., margin. Matthew 23:18. GUILTY.—_A debt... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 23:29. BUILD THE TOMBS, ETC.—See R.V. A portion of the temple offerings were devoted to this purpose. Matthew 23:31. THE CHILDREN.—You inherit their wickedness in compassing the death of the prophet of the Lord (_Carr_). Matthew 23:32. FILL YE UP, ETC.—Or, more literally,... [ Continue Reading ]