Time after Pentecost · Year A
Proper 26
November 1, 2026
Overview & Insights
“The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)
Matthew concludes his narration of confrontation between Jesus and the Jerusalem leaders with a series of judgment warnings upon the Pharisees and teachers of the law (23:1–36). The chapter begins with a call to Jesus’ followers to avoid the motivation and example of these teaching leaders, while acknowledging the importance of Torah instruction (23:1–12). Jesus speaks of the heavy loads that these leaders put upon those whom they teach (through their ways of interpreting the Torah [23:4]), directly contrasting his earlier words about his own Torah instruction: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (11:30). Jesus’ followers are to avoid the hypocrisy of seeking to gain prestige and positions of honor through religious adherence (23:5–12), a refrain already resounding in earlier parts of Matthew (6:1–18; 20:1–16, 20–28).
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Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 23:1-12 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on this Year A Gospel by a named seminary scholar.
Matthew 23 - Jesus and the Religious Leaders Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the warning against hypocrisy and the call to servanthood.
Matthew 23:1-12 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on empty display and the one true Teacher and Father.
Matthew 23:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the charge against the scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew 23:1 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further preaching voice.
Matthew 23 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page collecting word studies and cross references on the chapter.
Background & Word Study
Matthew 23 (Matthew Henry Complete) Bible Study Tools
Matthew Henry's full exposition of the chapter for a classic devotional reading.
Matthew 23:1 Interlinear BibleHub
The Greek of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers, including the words for teacher and servant.
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's book introduction to Matthew for the setting of Jesus' words against the leaders.
Gospel of Matthew Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of Matthew that frames Jesus' teaching on true and false righteousness.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is Jesus criticizing here?
Jesus warns the crowds and disciples against leaders who “do not practice what they preach,” who love titles, honor, and the best seats (Matthew 23:1–12). Over against that, greatness in the kingdom is servanthood: “the greatest among you will be your servant” (23:11).
Where does this fall in the lectionary?
Proper 26 (Ordinary 31) in Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary, the Sunday whose date falls between October 30 and November 5.
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