Devine Scripture

Matthew 23:12

What does Matthew 23:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 23:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 23:12 means

Jesus articulates a universal spiritual law: those who promote themselves will ultimately be brought low, while those who humble themselves will be elevated by God. This principle serves as a divine judgment against the self-exalting scribes and Pharisees, and simultaneously as an encouragement for His disciples to embrace humility. It reveals that God opposes the proud and favors the humble, promising true exaltation to those who willingly serve rather than seek personal glory.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And whoever makes himself high will be made low, and whoever makes himself low will be made high.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Context

This verse encapsulates the eternal consequence of the principles of humility and service introduced in the previous verse. It acts as a summary judgment, establishing a divine principle that applies to both the proud actions of the Pharisees and the humble service Jesus expects from His disciples. This overarching truth then perfectly transitions to the explicit

v.11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

v.12This passage

v.13But 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 4:6

    But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

  • Job 22:29

    When they casttheedown, thou shalt say, There is lifting up; And the humble person he will save.

  • Psalms 138:6

    For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar.

  • Proverbs 29:23

    A man’s pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.

  • Luke 18:14

    I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

  • Proverbs 15:33

    The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honorgoethhumility.

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