Matthew 23:13

KJV

¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} woe {G3759} unto you {G5213}, scribes {G1122} and {G2532} Pharisees {G5330}, hypocrites {G5273}! for {G3754} ye shut up {G2808} the kingdom {G932} of heaven {G3772} against {G1715} men {G444}: for {G1063} ye {G5210} neither {G3761} go in {G1525} yourselves, neither {G3756} suffer ye {G863} them that are entering {G1525} to go in {G1525}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"But woe to you hypocritical Torah-teachers and P'rushim! For you are shutting the Kingdom of Heaven in people's faces, neither entering yourselves nor allowing those who wish to enter to do so.

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

American Standard Version

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering in to enter.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 23:13, Jesus pronounces the first of seven "woes" against the scribes and Pharisees, condemning their profound hypocrisy and spiritual malpractice. He indicts them for actively obstructing access to the "kingdom of heaven," not only by refusing to enter themselves but also by hindering others who sought to enter, thereby revealing their failure as spiritual guides and the severe consequences of their self-righteous legalism.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a scathing series of condemnations, known as the "seven woes," delivered by Jesus in Jerusalem during the final week of His earthly ministry, just prior to His passion. Positioned within [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"), this discourse represents Jesus' most direct and public confrontation with the religious establishment—the scribes and Pharisees. It follows His triumphal entry and several parables that subtly critiqued the Jewish leadership (e.g., the parable of the wicked tenants in [Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33-46 "Matthew 21:33-46 - Parable of the Wicked Tenants")). This specific woe sets the thematic foundation for the subsequent pronouncements, establishing the core charge of their spiritual obstructionism.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scribes were experts in the Mosaic Law, responsible for interpreting and teaching it, often holding positions of significant influence. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Law, oral traditions, and a zealous pursuit of ritual purity and righteousness. While outwardly pious and respected, Jesus consistently challenged their legalistic interpretations and their emphasis on external observance over internal transformation. Jerusalem, at this time, was the spiritual and political heart of Judaism, and the Temple was central to Jewish life. Jesus' public denunciation of these leaders in such a prominent setting underscores the gravity of their spiritual abuses and His direct challenge to their authority, which ultimately contributed to their desire for His crucifixion.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - The Woes Against the Scribes and Pharisees") is the **unveiling of hypocrisy**. Jesus labels the scribes and Pharisees as "hypocrites," exposing the stark contrast between their outward religious performance and their inward spiritual corruption. This woe highlights their **exclusion from the kingdom**, as they not only reject the true path to God's reign themselves but actively prevent others from entering. Their actions demonstrate a profound **failure of spiritual leadership**, transforming them from guides to stumbling blocks. This spiritual obstruction is further elaborated in [Luke 11:52](/luke/11-52 "Luke 11:52 - The Key of Knowledge"), where Jesus condemns them for taking away "the key of knowledge," implying they withheld the true understanding necessary for entering the kingdom. The concept of the "kingdom of heaven" itself is a major theme throughout Matthew, referring to God's active, saving reign, inaugurated by Jesus, which demands repentance and faith for entry, as seen in [Matthew 4:17](/matthew/4-17 "Matthew 4:17 - Jesus Begins His Ministry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** This is a powerful interjection expressing intense grief, lamentation, or a pronouncement of impending judgment. It is not merely an expression of sorrow but a solemn declaration of divine condemnation and the dire consequences awaiting those addressed. Its use here underscores the gravity of the scribes' and Pharisees' spiritual state and actions.
* **Hypocrites (Greek, _hypokritḗs'_):** Derived from a term for an actor or stage-player, this word literally means "one who answers from behind a mask." In this context, it vividly describes individuals who present a false outward appearance of piety, righteousness, or moral integrity while their true character or motives are hidden and corrupt. Jesus uses this term to expose the fundamental deception at the heart of their religious practice.
* **Shut up (Greek, _kleíō'_):** This verb means "to close" or "to bar," whether literally or figuratively. Here, it is used metaphorically to describe the act of obstructing or preventing access. The scribes and Pharisees are accused of actively blocking the entrance to the kingdom of heaven, implying a deliberate and harmful action that denies others the opportunity to experience God's saving reign.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!":** Jesus begins with a strong adversative "But" (G1161, _dé_), signaling a sharp contrast to previous teachings or a direct confrontation. The exclamation "woe" (G3759, _ouaí_) is a solemn pronouncement of judgment. Addressing the "scribes and Pharisees" (G1122, _grammateús_ and G5330, _Pharisaîos_) directly, Jesus immediately labels them "hypocrites" (G5273, _hypokritḗs_), setting the tone for the entire discourse by exposing their pretense.
* **"for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men:":** The conjunction "for" (G3754, _hóti_) introduces the reason for the "woe." The core accusation is that they "shut up" (G2808, _kleíō_) the "kingdom of heaven" (G932, _basileía_ and G3772, _ouranós_) "against men" (G1715, _émprosthen_ and G444, _ánthrōpos_). This metaphor powerfully conveys their active obstruction of humanity's access to God's saving reign and spiritual blessings.
* **"for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.":** Another "for" (G1063, _gár_) provides further explanation. This clause details the two-fold nature of their obstruction. First, "ye neither go in [yourselves]" (G3761, _oudé_ and G1525, _eisérchomai_) highlights their personal rejection of the kingdom's true nature and requirements. Second, "neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in" (G3756, _ou_ and G863, _aphíēmi_ and G1525, _eisérchomai_) accuses them of actively preventing or hindering others who are genuinely seeking to enter, through their burdensome legalism, false teachings, and opposition to Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 23:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey Jesus' condemnation. The most prominent is **Condemnation**, expressed through the repeated "woe" (G3759, _ouaí_), which functions as a prophetic lament and a divine judgment. **Metaphor** is central to the accusation that they "shut up the kingdom of heaven," vividly portraying their spiritual obstruction as if they were barring a physical gate. This is further amplified by **Irony**, as those who were supposed to be spiritual guides and gatekeepers to God's truth are instead depicted as actively preventing access. The structure of the accusation, detailing both their personal failure ("neither go in yourselves") and their hindrance of others ("neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in"), utilizes a form of **Parallelism** or **Antithesis**, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of their spiritual malpractice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 23:13 profoundly underscores the theological truth that true entry into God's kingdom is not achieved through outward religious observance or human merit, but through genuine faith and repentance, which the scribes and Pharisees rejected and obscured. Their actions reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of God's grace and the nature of His reign, replacing a relationship with God with a system of burdensome rules. This verse highlights the severe accountability of spiritual leaders, whose primary role is to lead people *to* God, not to create barriers. Their hypocrisy stands in stark contrast to the genuine righteousness that God desires, which begins in the heart and leads to transformed living.
* [Luke 11:52](/luke/11-52 "Luke 11:52 - The Key of Knowledge")
* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")
* [Romans 10:2-4](/romans/10-2-4 "Romans 10:2-4 - Righteousness by Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 23:13 serves as a timeless and sobering warning against religious pretense and the dangers of spiritual leadership that misleads rather than guides. For believers today, this passage calls for a deep and honest self-examination of our own hearts and motives. Are we pursuing a genuine relationship with God, characterized by inward transformation and humble obedience, or are we merely performing outward religious duties to gain human approval or maintain a facade of piety? Furthermore, it challenges us to consider how our lives, words, and actions might inadvertently create barriers for others seeking to know God. We are called to be conduits of grace, pointing people to the simplicity and accessibility of the gospel, rather than adding unnecessary burdens or fostering an exclusive, judgmental spirit. Our mission is to open the door to the kingdom, not to shut it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, consciously or unconsciously, exhibit hypocrisy in my own faith journey?**
* **Am I ever guilty of creating unnecessary barriers or burdens for others who are seeking to understand or enter into faith?**
* **How can I ensure that my spiritual leadership, whether in formal roles or informal influence, genuinely points people towards Christ and the true nature of God's kingdom?**
* **What does "entering the kingdom of heaven" truly mean for me, and how does my daily life reflect that understanding?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "shut up the kingdom of heaven"?**

Answer: When Jesus says the scribes and Pharisees "shut up the kingdom of heaven," He is using a powerful metaphor. The "kingdom of heaven" refers to God's sovereign rule and saving activity, which was breaking into the world through Jesus' ministry (see [Matthew 4:17](/matthew/4-17 "Matthew 4:17 - Jesus Begins to Preach")). The scribes and Pharisees, through their rigid legalism, emphasis on external rituals over internal transformation, and their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, were effectively blocking people from experiencing God's true reign and salvation. They presented a distorted view of God's requirements, making it impossible for ordinary people to find genuine access to Him. This is echoed in [Luke 11:52](/luke/11-52 "Luke 11:52 - The Key of Knowledge"), where Jesus states they "have taken away the key of knowledge."

**Why does Jesus call the scribes and Pharisees "hypocrites"?**

Answer: Jesus calls them "hypocrites" (Greek: _hypokritḗs_) because their outward religious performance did not match their inward spiritual reality. The term originally referred to an actor wearing a mask, playing a role. The scribes and Pharisees meticulously observed religious laws and traditions, often in public, to appear righteous and devout (as seen in [Matthew 6:1-6](/matthew/6-1-6 "Matthew 6:1-6 - True Righteousness")). However, their hearts were filled with pride, self-righteousness, and a lack of genuine love for God or neighbor. Their actions, such as devouring widows' houses or neglecting justice and mercy (mentioned in [Matthew 23:14, 23](/matthew/23-14-23 "Matthew 23:14, 23 - Woes on Hypocrisy")), exposed their pretense. Jesus condemned this spiritual deception that prioritized outward show over inward transformation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 23:13, with its stark condemnation of those who shut up the kingdom of heaven, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ as the sole true "door" and "way" to God's kingdom. While the scribes and Pharisees obstructed access through their legalism and hypocrisy, Jesus declares Himself to be the one who opens the way. He states in [John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door") that He is "the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved." Furthermore, in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life"), Jesus unequivocally asserts, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." His death on the cross tears the temple veil (as described in [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), symbolizing the removal of all barriers between God and humanity, making direct access to the Father possible through His atoning sacrifice. Thus, the very kingdom that the Pharisees shut up is now opened wide by Christ, inviting all to enter by grace through faith in Him, fulfilling the promise of a new and living way (as seen in [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 11:52

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Matthew 23:29

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

Zechariah 11:17

Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword [shall be] upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Matthew 23:23

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.

Matthew 23:27

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.

Acts 8:1

¶ And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 Timothy 4:15

Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.