What is the meaning of Matthew 2323 in the Bible?

Answer 1

Matthew 23:23 (kjv) 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.

Often times we get too caught up in the finer 'wrongs' in life. It is easy to fault someone for their skin color, or to blame someone for the type of music to which they listen/enjoy. Sometimes, we even go so far as to condemn, trash, and otherwise dismiss others for their religious beliefs, opinions, and perspectives.... but, over-look the things that truly are more important - matters of the heart. The Scribes & Pharisees were the religious of the religious. Scribes did the writing and translating of texts and were closely monitored to be sure they "crossed all their T's and dotted all their I's", as it were (...every jot and every tittle...). Pharisees were the religious leaders (priests, elders, etc). These two groups of religious people were immersed in the scriptures and the religious practices of the day. Too often, the "can't see the forest for the trees" problem would occur and they would get blinded with the "letter of the law" and overlook the "spirit of the law". Worse, they would pressure others to achieve righteousness through fulfllment of the 'rules', but not apply them to themselves. Jesus rebuked them (and us all) for being "so spiritually minded, we are no earthly good", or at least being hypocritical about the lives we are leading (do as I say...). There is a distinct difference between religion/spirituallity being your life, and your life being religious/spiritual. One you put on, the other you put in. When you put religion & spirituallity "on" (worn on the outside), others see you are righteous and holy, but God sees the 'inner man' beneath the covering. When you put religion and spirituallity "in", the outward change/influence may not be obvious to the outside world right away (if ever, in some cases), but God knows your heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

This passage in Matthew is essentially guiding us to improve from the inside out (God working within us), instead of the outside in (us working within God). These are, after all, MyPerspectives.com

Answer 2

Matthew 23:23 addresses the issue of neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness in favor of following rules and regulations. Jesus criticizes religious leaders for being meticulous about trivial matters while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. He exhorts them to prioritize these important virtues alongside their religious practices.