Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Matthew 23:29-32   Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,  And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.  31  Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.  32  Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.  This is the last "Woe" of condemnation and judgment Jesus pronounced against the self righteous, religious hypocrites among scribes and Pharisees. Jesus previously condemned them for religious hypocrisy because scribes and Pharisees engaged in praying, fasting, or tithing in order to be seen by others. The word "hypocrite" was associated with Greek actors who wore a mask while performing a play.  A mask hid the actor's true identity behind a facade of the character they represented. This is just like r...

Matthew 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  The seventh Beatitude stands in contrast to the seventh "Woe" from Jesus. Those who are blessed are those who have peace with God through faith in Christ.  Children of God should be known as peacemakers by sharing the life changing gospel of Christ with lost people. Scribes and Pharisees did not have peace with God because they did not hear Christ's gospel and heed His Words. Their false religion produced more people who did not have peace with God and their hearts were wicked and corrupt. Matthew 23:27-28  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.  28  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.  Jesus powerfully rebuked Judaism and the religious practices o...

Matthew 23:25-26  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.  26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.  Scribes and Pharisees focused on maintaining a proper outward appearance of religion but they were unconcerned about being born again. They wanted to appear to others as pious men rather than seeking to honor God by living for His glory. Scribes and Pharisees lifestyles are compared to a cup  or platter that is  washed  clean  on the outside but is dirty on the inside.   The word translated "platter" refers to a dish or bowl like object, such as a soup bowl. Jesus gave a picture of a religion which promotes outward religiosity but fails to address the internal issue of a wicked, sinful heart. Scribes and Pharisees took great care to eat m...

Matthew 23:23-24  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.  24  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.  Pronouncing this "Woe" Jesus addressed their specific sin, showed their point of departure from spiritual duties and gave an illustration of their error. Scribes and Pharisees viewed themselves as the only ones who understood God's law and how to rightly interpret and apply it. However, Jesus told us that they elevated traditions of men to the place of ultimate authority, even higher than inspired scripture that God gave them. Such arrogance bred contempt for the scriptures and led scribes and Pharisees to add many man made rules that they said must be followed. What impact did traditions of scribes and Pharisees have on the sacred scriptures from...