Mat 23:3, Mar 3:35, 6:20, Luk 6:46-47, 49 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 3. All therefore whatsoever , etc, That is, all that they teach consistent with the law of Moses; all the commands of Moses which they read to you and properly explain. The word all could not be taken without such a restriction, for Christ himself accuses them of teaching many things contrary to that law, and of making it void by traditions, . They say, and do not . The interpretation they give to the law is in the main correct, but their lives do not correspond with their teaching. It is not the duty of men to imitate their teachers unless their lives are pure; but they are rather to obey the law of God than to frame their lives by the example of evil men. (s) "for they say"

Matthew 23:3

Verse 3. All therefore whatsoever, etc, That is, all that they teach consistent with the law of Moses; all the commands of Moses which they read to you and properly explain. The word all could not be taken without such a restriction, for Christ himself accuses them of teaching many things contrary to that law, and of making it void by traditions, Mt 15:1-6.

They say, and do not. The interpretation they give to the law is in the main correct, but their lives do not correspond with their teaching. It is not the duty of men to imitate their teachers unless their lives are pure; but they are rather to obey the law of God than to frame their lives by the example of evil men.

(s) "for they say" Rom 2:21-23

Mark 3:35

Verse 35.

(v) "whosoever shall do" Jas 1:25, 1Jn 2:17

Mark 6:20

Verse 20. He did many things. But he did not do the thing which was demanded of him--to break off from his sins. He attempted to make a compromise with his conscience. He still loved his sins, and did other things which he supposed might be accepted, in the place of putting away, as he ought, the wife of his brother--the polluted and adulterous woman with whom he lived. Perhaps he treated John kindly, or spoke well of him, or aided him in his wants; and attempted in this way to silence his rebukes, and destroy his faithfulness. This was probably before John was imprisoned. So sinners often treat ministers kindly, and do much to make them comfortable, and hear them gladly, while they are still unwilling to do the thing which is demanded of them, to repent and believe the gospel. They expect that their kind attentions will be accepted in the place of what God demands--repentance and the forsaking of their sins.

(k) "feared" Ex 11:3, Eze 2:5-7 (2) "observed him" or, "kept him", or "saved him"

Luke 6:46-47

Verse 46. Mt 7:21; Mt 7:22; Mt 7:23; Mt 7:24; Mt 7:25; Mt 7:26; Mt 7:27.

(c) "call ye me good" Mal 1:6, Mt 7:21, 25:11, Lk 13:25, Gal 6:7 Verse 47. Mt 7:21; Mt 7:22; Mt 7:23; Mt 7:24; Mt 7:25; Mt 7:26; Mt 7:27.

Luke 6:49

Verse 49. Mt 7:21; Mt 7:22; Mt 7:23; Mt 7:24; Mt 7:25; Mt 7:26; Mt 7:27.

(g) "heareth" Jas 1:24-26 (h) "it fell" Prov 28:18, Hoss 4:14