Matthew 23:15
Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
«وَيْلٌ لَكُمْ أيُّهَا الفِرِّيسِيُّونَ وَمُعَلِّمو الشَّرِيعَةِ المُرَاءُونَ! لِأنَّكُمْ تُسَافِرُونَ عَبْرَ البَحْرِ وَالبَرِّ لِتَكْسِبُوا تَابِعًا وَاحِدًا لَكُمْ. وَعِنْدَمَا يُصْبِحُ كَذَلِكَ، تَجْعَلُونَهُ يَسْتَحِقُّ جَهَنَّمَ ضِعفَ مَا تَسْتَحِقُّونَ أنْتُمْ.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse from Matthew's Gospel, Jesus is speaking to the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites for their efforts in converting others to Judaism but leading these new converts into worse behaviors than themselves.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game where you have to get your friends to join. But once they do, instead of helping them play better, you make it so that they end up losing even more. Jesus is saying the scribes and Pharisees are doing something like this with their religion.
Historical Background
This verse is from the Gospel written by Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples. It was likely written in the late first century for a primarily Jewish-Christian audience. The context reflects tensions between Jesus' teachings and the religious leaders of his time who were strict followers of the law.
Living It Out Today
Today, this can apply to when people join groups or movements that seem positive but end up pushing them towards more extreme behaviors than their original intentions. It's a reminder to be careful about the influence we have on others.
Topics
hypocrisyreligionjudgmentinfluenceconversionmorality
Related Verses
Deuteronomy 30:15-20Isaiah 58:1-9John 7:46-53Romans 2:17-24Galatians 5:1-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the scribes and Pharisees?
The scribes were Jewish legal experts who interpreted the law, while the Pharisees were a group that emphasized strict adherence to both written and oral laws. They often opposed Jesus' teachings.
What does 'child of hell' mean in this context?
This phrase refers to people whose behavior is so harmful it leads them towards spiritual destruction, indicating severe moral corruption or damnation.
Why did Jesus use the term 'hypocrites' for the scribes and Pharisees?
Jesus called them hypocrites because they showed one face publicly but behaved differently privately, failing to practice what they preached.
How can we avoid leading others into worse behaviors in our faith?
By ensuring that any teaching or influence is rooted in love, compassion, and genuine spiritual growth rather than rules alone. It’s important to lead by example with integrity.