Matthew 23:6

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

And {G5037} love {G5368} the uppermost rooms {G4411} at {G1722} feasts {G1173}, and {G2532} the chief seats {G4410} in {G1722} the synagogues {G4864},

they love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues,

They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues,

and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

Commentary

Matthew 23:6 is part of a scathing denunciation by Jesus Christ against the scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of His day. In this verse, Jesus exposes their deep-seated hypocrisy and pride, specifically highlighting their love for public recognition and prominent positions.

Context

This verse comes from a discourse where Jesus publicly condemns the scribes and Pharisees for their outward show of piety that lacked genuine spiritual substance. In ancient Jewish society, seating arrangements at public gatherings, particularly feasts and in the synagogues, carried significant social and religious weight. The "uppermost rooms" (or chief couches at dining tables) and "chief seats" (front rows or prominent positions in the synagogue) were highly coveted. These spots were typically reserved for those considered most important, wealthy, or religiously authoritative. By actively seeking these positions, the religious leaders demonstrated a desire for honor and deference from men, rather than a humble heart devoted to God. This behavior stands in stark contrast to Jesus' teachings on humility and service, as seen in Matthew 20:26-28.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy and Pride: The verse directly exposes the prideful nature of the scribes and Pharisees. Their actions were driven by a desire for public acclaim and status, rather than a genuine love for God or sincere service to others. They valued outward appearance over inner righteousness.
  • Seeking Human Approval: Jesus criticizes their motivation to perform religious duties and seek prominent positions "to be seen of men" (Matthew 23:5). This highlights a fundamental flaw in their spiritual leadership: they sought honor from people, not the honor that comes from God alone.
  • Misuse of Authority: True spiritual authority, according to Jesus, is characterized by humility and service, not by seeking elevated status or control. This passage serves as a warning against those who use religion as a means for personal aggrandizement.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "uppermost rooms" (Greek: πρωτοκλισία, prōtoklisia) refers to the chief or first reclining places at a banquet, which were considered the most honorable positions. Similarly, "chief seats" (Greek: πρωτοκαθεδρία, prōtokathedria) denotes the most prominent chairs in the synagogue, often located at the front or near the ark where the Torah scrolls were kept. Both terms emphasize the desire for preeminence and public display of status that Jesus condemns.

Related Scriptures

  • This verse is closely linked to Matthew 23:5, which sets the stage by describing their actions as being "to be seen of men."
  • Jesus further emphasizes the importance of humility in Luke 14:7-11, where He teaches about choosing the lowest seat at a feast.
  • The principle that God looks at the heart, not outward appearance, is a foundational truth throughout scripture (1 Samuel 16:7).

Practical Application

Matthew 23:6 remains a powerful warning for all believers, especially those in positions of leadership. It challenges us to examine our motivations: are we seeking recognition, titles, or status from others, or are we genuinely serving God and our neighbor with humility and integrity? True influence and spiritual authority come from a heart devoted to Christ and a willingness to serve, not from outward displays or positions. This verse calls us to emulate Christ's example of self-emptying service (Philippians 2:3-8), prioritizing genuine love and humility over pride and self-exaltation in all areas of life, especially within the church and community.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 3 John 1:9

    ¶ I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

  • Luke 14:7

    ¶ And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

  • Luke 14:11

    For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

  • Luke 11:43

    Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

  • Luke 11:54

    Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

  • Mark 12:38

    And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and [love] salutations in the marketplaces,

  • Mark 12:39

    And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
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