Matthew 23:15

KJV

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {G3759} unto you {G5213}, scribes {G1122} and {G2532} Pharisees {G5330}, hypocrites {G5273}! for {G3754} ye compass {G4013} sea {G2281} and {G2532} land {G3584} to make {G4160} one {G1520} proselyte {G4339}, and {G2532} when {G3752} he is made {G1096}, ye make {G4160} him {G846} twofold more {G1362} the child {G5207} of hell {G1067} than yourselves {G5216}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Woe to you hypocritical Torah-teachers and P'rushim! You go about over land and sea to make one proselyte; and when you succeed, you make him twice as fit for Gei-Hinnom as you are!

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

American Standard Version

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 23:15 records one of Jesus' most scathing condemnations against the scribes and Pharisees, exposing their profound hypocrisy and misdirected religious fervor. He denounces their zealous efforts to convert Gentiles to Judaism, revealing that their teaching and influence pervert true spiritual transformation, ultimately leading their converts to a state of spiritual ruin even worse than their own. This "woe" highlights the grave danger of religious activity devoid of genuine righteousness and love for God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' series of seven "woes" (or denunciation's) against the scribes and Pharisees, recorded in [Matthew chapter 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Jesus' Woes Against the Pharisees"). Preceding this verse, Jesus has already condemned them for shutting off the kingdom of heaven from people and for their covetousness disguised as piety ([Matthew 23:13-14](/matthew/23-13-14 "Matthew 23:13-14 - First Woes")). Following this particular woe, Jesus continues to expose their spiritual blindness regarding oaths, tithing, and their outward cleanliness contrasting with inward corruption ([Matthew 23:16-28](/matthew/23-16-28 "Matthew 23:16-28 - Further Woes")). This entire chapter serves as a climactic public indictment of the religious establishment, delivered shortly before Jesus' passion, underscoring the stark contrast between their legalistic system and the true kingdom values He proclaimed.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scribes were experts in the Mosaic Law, responsible for its interpretation and teaching, while the Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious party known for their strict adherence to both written and oral traditions, seeking to live lives of ritual purity and legalistic righteousness. During this period, Judaism actively sought proselytes, particularly from among the Gentiles who were attracted to monotheism and Jewish ethical standards. This proselytizing zeal involved extensive travel ("compass sea and land") to gain converts, who would undergo circumcision (for males), ritual immersion, and commit to observing the Mosaic Law and the oral traditions. Jesus' critique here is not against proselytizing itself, but against the *nature* of the discipleship offered by the Pharisees, which, rather than leading to genuine repentance and a heart-relationship with God, led to a more burdensome and spiritually deadening legalism.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Hypocrisy**, as Jesus repeatedly exposes the chasm between the Pharisees' outward religious performance and their inward spiritual corruption. Their "zeal" is shown to be misguided, serving their own reputation and system rather than God's glory or the spiritual well-being of others. It also highlights the theme of **False Teaching and Spiritual Blindness**, as their instruction leads people away from true righteousness and into a deeper state of condemnation, contrasting sharply with Jesus' call to [true discipleship](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24 - The Call to True Discipleship") and the [narrow path to life](/matthew/7-13-14 "Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow Gate"). Finally, the "woe" itself functions as a declaration of **Divine Judgment**, emphasizing the severe consequences for those who obstruct God's kingdom and lead others astray, a theme that culminates in Jesus' pronouncements about the [end times and final judgment](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hypocrites (Greek, _hypokritḗs'_):** From G5273, meaning "an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler." Jesus uses this term repeatedly to describe the Pharisees, indicating that their outward piety and religious acts were merely a performance, a mask hiding their true, corrupt intentions and spiritual emptiness. Their actions were not driven by genuine faith or love for God, but by a desire for human recognition and adherence to a self-serving system.
* **proselyte (Greek, _prosḗlytos'_):** From G4339, meaning "an arriver from a foreign region, i.e. (specially), an acceder (convert) to Judaism." This word refers specifically to a Gentile who converted to Judaism, embracing its laws and customs. The Pharisees' extensive efforts to gain such converts underscore their missionary zeal, but Jesus immediately exposes the devastating spiritual outcome of this conversion under their tutelage.
* **hell (Greek, _géenna'_):** From G1067, of Hebrew origin (גַּיְא and הִנֹּם), referring to the "valley of (the son of) Hinnom." This was a literal valley outside Jerusalem, once a site of pagan child sacrifice, which later became a perpetually burning garbage dump. Figuratively, it became a powerful metaphor for the place or state of everlasting punishment and destruction. To be a "child of hell" meant to be characterized by, destined for, and embodying the very spiritual corruption that leads to ultimate destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!":** Jesus initiates this denunciation with a strong exclamation of grief and impending judgment. The term "woe" (Greek, _ouaí'_ from G3759) is not merely an expression of sorrow but a pronouncement of divine condemnation. He directly addresses the "scribes and Pharisees," identifying them by their religious and professional titles, and immediately labels them "hypocrites," setting the tone for the severe critique that follows.
* **"for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte,":** Jesus explains the reason for His "woe." The Pharisees exhibited extraordinary zeal and effort ("compass sea and land," Greek, _periágō'_ from G4013, meaning "to walk around" or "to take around") in their missionary endeavors to gain a single convert (Greek, _heîs prosḗlytos'_ from G1520 and G4339). This highlights their intense commitment to expanding their religious influence and numbers, even to the point of extensive travel and arduous work.
* **"and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.":** This is the devastating punchline of Jesus' condemnation. The "making" of the proselyte (Greek, _gínomai'_ from G1096, meaning "to become" or "to be made") results in a tragic outcome. The convert, instead of finding spiritual life, becomes "twofold more" (Greek, _diploûs'_ from G1362, meaning "two-fold") a "child of hell" (Greek, _huiós Geennēs'_ from G5207 and G1067) than their teachers. This implies that the Pharisees' teaching not only failed to lead to true righteousness but intensified the spiritual corruption and condemnation of their converts, perhaps by instilling an even more rigid, self-righteous, and legalistic adherence to external rules, devoid of inner transformation.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 23:15 is rich in **Hyperbole** and **Irony**. The phrase "compass sea and land" is a vivid hyperbole, emphasizing the extreme lengths to which the Pharisees would go for a single convert, underscoring their relentless zeal. The profound **Irony** lies in the outcome: their intense efforts, ostensibly for God, lead to a result diametrically opposed to divine will, producing individuals "twofold more the child of hell." This is a tragic reversal of purpose. The phrase "child of hell" is a powerful **Metaphor** (specifically, a Hebrew idiom of filiation, where "son of X" means "one characterized by X" or "destined for X"). It vividly portrays the spiritual state and ultimate destiny of those who embrace the Pharisees' perverted form of religion, highlighting their profound spiritual corruption and condemnation. The entire "woe" functions as a **Denunciation**, a formal and severe public condemnation, characteristic of prophetic speech.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly reveals the danger of religious zeal without divine truth and genuine spiritual transformation. It underscores that outward religious activity, even intense missionary effort, can be spiritually destructive if it is not rooted in God's genuine righteousness and grace. The Pharisees, in their pursuit of converts to their legalistic system, effectively led people further from God rather than closer to Him, demonstrating that a focus on human traditions and self-righteousness, rather than the true heart of God's law, leads to condemnation. This stands in stark contrast to the true nature of conversion and discipleship, which should lead to life and salvation through faith.

* [Galatians 1:6-9](/galatians/1-6-9 "Galatians 1:6-9 - Paul's Warning Against a False Gospel")
* [Romans 10:2-4](/romans/10-2-4 "Romans 10:2-4 - Israel's Misguided Zeal")
* [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15-20 "Matthew 7:15-20 - False Prophets and Their Fruits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 23:15 serves as a profound warning for all who engage in religious activity, particularly those in leadership or evangelism. It compels us to rigorously examine the motivation behind our zeal: Is it a genuine love for God and others, or is it tainted by self-righteousness, a desire for control, or adherence to human systems? True discipleship, in contrast to the Pharisees' model, involves leading people to an authentic, life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ, characterized by inner transformation, grace, and love, rather than merely external conformity or burdensome rules. We must be vigilant against teachings that, despite outward appearances of piety or success, ultimately lead people away from the simplicity and power of the Gospel of grace and into legalism or spiritual bondage. Our aim should always be to make disciples who are truly children of God, reflecting His character and kingdom values.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the motivations behind my own religious zeal or efforts to share my faith? Am I seeking God's glory or my own?**
* **How can I ensure that my understanding and practice of faith lead to genuine spiritual transformation, both for myself and for those I influence, rather than merely outward conformity?**
* **In what ways might modern religious movements or teachings inadvertently create "children of hell" by emphasizing legalism, performance, or human traditions over the liberating grace of Christ?**

### FAQ

**What does Jesus mean by "twofold more the child of hell"?**

Answer: Jesus is not implying that the converts were literally twice as evil as the Pharisees. Instead, the phrase "twofold more the child of hell" (Greek, _diploûs huiós Geennēs'_) is a powerful indictment indicating that the Pharisees' teaching and influence led their converts into an even deeper state of spiritual condemnation and ruin than the teachers themselves. This could be because the converts, in their zeal as new adherents, adopted the Pharisees' legalism and self-righteousness with an even greater fanaticism, becoming more entrenched in a system that led away from God's grace. They might have embraced the external rituals and traditions more rigidly, without any genuine internal change, thus becoming more spiritually hardened and lost than their already hypocritical mentors. This outcome stands in stark contrast to the [true purpose of discipleship](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 23:15, with its stark portrayal of the Pharisees' destructive proselytizing, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' own mission and the nature of the Kingdom He inaugurated. While the Pharisees created "children of hell" through a legalistic system, Jesus came to make "children of God" through grace and truth. He is the ultimate "proselyte-maker" in the truest sense, drawing people from every nation not to a burdensome set of rules, but into a life-giving relationship with the Father. Unlike the Pharisees who shut off the kingdom, Jesus is the [door to the sheep](/john/10-7 "John 10:7 - Jesus, the Door") and the [way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life"). His Great Commission calls believers to [make disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission"), not by imposing external burdens, but by teaching them to obey all that He commanded, which is rooted in love for God and neighbor. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus offers genuine spiritual transformation, forgiving sins and imparting new life, effectively turning those who were once [children of wrath](/ephesians/2-3 "Ephesians 2:3 - Children of Wrath") into [heirs of eternal life](/titus/3-7 "Titus 3:7 - Heirs of Eternal Life") and co-heirs with Christ. His mission reverses the spiritual ruin caused by false teachers, offering true freedom and adoption into God's family.

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

Ephesians 2:3

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Acts 13:10

And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Acts 13:43

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

John 8:44

Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Acts 14:2

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Galatians 4:17

¶ They zealously affect you, [but] not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

Acts 17:5

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.