No, Brutus Really Is an Honorable Man! (Matthew 23:1-12)

Does Jesus really mean for His disciples to do “whatever (23:3)” the scribes and Pharisees tell them?

Jesus says they’re hypocrites (23:3), so do whatever they tell you.

Jesus here says their hypocrisy isn’t the variety that teaches good but lives bad; but the kind that teaches bad and lives worse (23:4), and to do whatever they tell you.

Jesus says that they lay heavy burdens on people, but do whatever they tell you (23:4).

Jesus says they do their acts to be seen by others (23:5-7), yet, do whatever they tell you.

Jesus says “but you (23:8),” contrasting His disciples with the scribes and Pharisees, yet they must do whatever the Pharisees tell them.

Jesus says they are blind guides (23:16-17), yet do whatever they tell you.

Jesus, six times tells his disciples, “You have heard that it was said [by the Pharisees], but I say unto you… (Matthew 5:21-48),” contrasting His teaching with theirs; still, they are to do whatever the Pharisees tell them.

Jesus says to beware of their leaven, their teaching (Matthew 16:6, 12), but to do whatever they tell you.

Jesus says the kingdom is being taken from them (Matthew 21:43), but to do whatever they tell you.

Jesus says that the Pharisees (John 5:37-40) don’t have God’s word abiding in them, that they search it, but are really clueless as to what it really is about, yet, they are to do whatever the scribes tell them.

Jesus asks the Pharisees again and again, “Have you not read? (Matthew 12:3; 19:14; 21:16, 42),” still, they are to do whatever the those  Pharisees tell them.

Jesus, has just been addressed as “Teacher,” three times by the Pharisees and Sadducees with a smirk, but His credentials were authenticated while theirs were ridiculed (22:15-46); still, do whatever they tell you.

Jesus goes on to pronounce seven severe woes of judgment on them (23:16-37), but do whatever they tell you.

Yeah. Ok. Whatever! and Marc Antony really meant that Brutus is an honorable man.

Monotone Jesus was not, biting irony and sarcasm He knew. Don’t read Jesus as woodenly as the Pharisees read Deuteronomy 6:8 and make your phylacteries broad. Oh how pious you are; not even Jesus can tell a joke in your presence. Just to be clear, that was sarcasm.