NT 16-Matthew 23

1. NT 16-Matthew 23 131—more holiness give me Phylactery replicas

2. Matthew 23—Hypocrisy The word ‘hypocrite’ comes from a Greek word that means “play actor”. A hypocrite is someone pretending to be something that he or she is not in order to receive recognition or gain.

3. Matthew 23 Class reads Matthew 23:1-12, 13-15, 23-28 discussing the scribes and Pharisees and their practices, making modern analogies. Now with a buddy try and write Matthew 23:40—a modern day version of these rebukes, or in other words if Christ were addressing hypocrisy in our day, what practices would He call out? What analogies might He make? Have some fun with it.

4. Phylacteries “Through a traditional interpretation of Exo. 13:9 and Deut. 6:8, the Hebrews adopted the custom of wearing phylacteries, which consisted essentially of strips of parchment on which were inscribed in whole or in part the following texts: Exo. 13:2-10 and 11-17; Deut. 6:4-9, and 11:13-21. Phylacteries were worn on the head and arm. The parchment strips for the head were four, on each of which one of the texts cited above was written. These were placed in a cubical box of leather measuring from ½ inch to 1-1/2 inches along the edge; the box was divided into four compartments and one of the little parchment rolls was placed in each. Thongs held the box in place on the forehead between the eyes of the wearer. The arm phylactery comprised but a single roll of parchment on which the four prescribed texts were written; this was placed in a little box which was bound by thongs to the inside of the left arm so as to be brought close to the heart when the hands were placed together in the attitude of devotion. The Pharisees wore the arm phylactery above the elbow, while their rivals, the Sadducees, fastened it to the palm of the hand (see Exo. 13:9). The common people wore phylacteries only at prayer time; but the Pharisees were said to display them throughout the day. Our Lord's reference to the Pharisees' custom of making broad their phylacteries had reference to the enlarging of the containing box, particularly the frontlet. The size of the parchment strips was fixed by rigid rule” (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 565).

5. Matthew 23:15 “Of the Jews who strove to make proselytes it has been said that ‘out of a bad heather they made a worse Jew.’ Many of their converts soon became perverts” (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 555).

6. Hypocrisy in our Homes Being consistent in our homes is important for another reason. Many of the Savior’s harshest rebukes were directed to hypocrites. Jesus warned His disciples concerning the scribes and Pharisees: “Do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matthew 23:3). This strong admonition is sobering given the counsel to “express love—and show it,” to “bear testimony—and live it,” and to “be consistent.” The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causes the greatest destruction within our own homes. And children often are the most alert and sensitive when it comes to recognizing hypocrisy. A public statement of love when the private actions of love are absent at home is hypocrisy—and weakens the foundation of a great work. Publicly declaring testimony when faithfulness and obedience are missing within our own homes is hypocrisy—and undermines the foundation of a great work. The commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness” (Exodus 20:16) applies most pointedly to the hypocrite in each of us. We need to be and become more consistent. “But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). As we seek the Lord’s help and in His strength, we can gradually reduce the disparity between what we say and what we do, between expressing love and consistently showing it, and between bearing testimony and steadfastly living it. (David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 17–20)