Seven Woes and One Lamentation

Matthew 23 is the fifth of six discourses of Jesus in the Gospel. It acts as a bridge between Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and His Olivet Discourse of Matt 24-25. Matthew 23 also acts as a summary of Jesus' condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees' burdensome legalistic righteousness teaching and a prophet warning to them and the Old Covenant nation of Israel.

Prominent in this discourse are the Seven Woes--a prophetic pronouncement of warning upon the spiritual leaders (and their followers) and calling to repentance. Following the Seven Woes is a heartfelt Lamentation of our Lord over the impenitent sin and impeding judgment upon Israel. May we hear this call to repent afresh, today.

Sermon Notes: Matthew 23 – Seven Woes and a Lamentation
I. Seven Woes (vv1-36)
---A. Sins of Scribes and Pharisees (vv1-12)
------1. Introduction (vv1-3)
------2. They lack Sympathy, Sincerity, Humility (vv4-7)
------3. Don't You lack Sympathy, Sincerity, Humility (vv8-12)
---B. Woes to Scribes and Pharisees (vv13-30)
------1. (1,2) Close Kingdom and Corrupt Converts (vv13-15)
------2. (3,4) Lesser over Greater (vv16-24)
------3. (5,6) Outside over Inside (vv25-28)
------4. ( 7 ) Superior but Same…or worse (vv29-30)
---C. Judgment of Scribes and Pharisees…and Jerusalem (vv31-36)
------1. You are murderers (v31)
------2. You will murder Me (vv32-33)
------3. You will murder and mistreat My messengers (vv34-35)
------4. You will be judged this generation (v36)
II. One Lamentation (vv37-39)