MPV Commentary

38. The Pharisees marveled at Jesus' teaching and behavior.

39-41. Our Lord uses everyday objects to illustrate profound truths. He compares the Pharisees' greed to a ravenous animal that consumes everything in its path. This is an apt description of their insatiable desire for wealth and power.

40. The outer life, which includes one's relationships with others and their obligations, is subject to God's authority. If this is true, then why would the inner man, or one's spiritual nature, be less under His control?

41. Jesus teaches that giving alms and doing good deeds can make even the most mundane activities, like eating meals, acceptable in God's sight. This principle has immense value, as it highlights the importance of living a life of generosity and compassion.

42. The Pharisees were meticulous about tithing on even the smallest products of the earth, such as mint, rue, and dill (Leviticus 27:30). Jesus uses these examples to illustrate their hypocrisy, as they were more concerned with outward appearances than true spirituality.

43. The Pharisees coveted the most prominent seats in synagogues and public gatherings, where they could receive the greatest recognition and admiration from others (Luke 14:7-11).

44. The Pharisees' outward appearance was deceiving, much like a person who unknowingly walks over a grave and becomes ceremonially unclean. Their corrupt character was hidden beneath a veneer of respectability.

46. The Pharisees imposed burdensome regulations on the people, not just because they were difficult to follow, but also due to their heartless enforcement and hypocrisy (Acts 15:10).

47-48. The Pharisees claimed to honor the prophets by repairing and beautifying their tombs, while simultaneously condemning themselves for being part of a lineage that had killed the prophets. This was a stark example of their duplicity.

49-51. Jesus declares that He will now carry out God's judgment on this generation, just as ancient warnings foretold (Matthew 23:34). The phrase "all that is required" suggests that the iniquity of Israel had accumulated over time and would soon be punished.

50. This generation was marked by a complete and awful accumulation of sin, much like the Amorites before them (Genesis 15:16). The full weight of God's vengeance was about to fall on this people.

51. Jesus refers to the prophets in the New Testament sense, including those who would be martyred for their faith (Matthew 23:34; 1 Corinthians 12:28). The allusion is likely to the murder of Zechariah, whose last words were "The Lord require it" (2 Chronicles 24:20-22).

52. Jesus accuses the Pharisees of taking away the key to knowledge and understanding, which is essential for eternal life (John 17:3). Instead, they substituted their own traditions, shutting heaven to those who sought true wisdom.

53-54. The Pharisees were stung by Jesus' words, yet they had no grounds for their accusations against Him. They were provoked to harass Him with questions, but their efforts would ultimately prove futile.