Matthew 23:15
What does Matthew 23:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 23:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 23:15 means
Jesus pronounces the second woe, condemning the scribes and Pharisees for their zealous efforts to win converts, only to make them worse than themselves. They cross formidable barriers, like sea and land, to make one proselyte, yet their teachings and example lead these new adherents into a deeper state of spiritual condemnation, making them "twofold more a son of hell." This exposes the destructive nature of their legalistic and hypocritical religion, which produces adherents who are doubly lost.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Woe 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Woe 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Woe 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949A curse is on you, scribes and Pharisees, false ones! for you go about land and sea to get one disciple and, having him, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye go round the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte, and whenever it may happen--ye make him a son of gehenna twofold more than yourselves.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte. And when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye compass the sea and the dry [land] to make one proselyte, and when he is become [such], ye make him twofold more [the] son of hell than yourselves.
Context
This verse delivers the second "woe," following the denunciation of the Pharisees for hindering people from entering the kingdom. It illustrates another destructive aspect of their leadership: their misguided missionary zeal. This detailed example of their proselytizing efforts leading to deeper spiritual ruin for converts provides a concrete illustration of their corrupting influence, setting a dark tone that continues into the next woe concerning their distorted oath-taking.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 8:17
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them.
- Galatians 4:17
They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek them.
- Matthew 5:22
but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.
- Acts 14:19
But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
- Acts 14:2
But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.
- Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaüs a proselyte of Antioch;
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