Faith without religion.
Woes on the Pharisees: A Deep Dive into Matthew 23
In a recent discussion on Matthew Chapter 23, Shawn and Delaney McCraney delve into the seven woes pronounced by Jesus against the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The conversation highlights the hypocrisy and misguided priorities of these religious leaders, who, according to Jesus, shut the door to the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces and focus on superficial rituals rather than the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Shawn explains that Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their legalistic approach, which emphasizes external compliance with the law while neglecting the internal transformation of the heart. This is illustrated through metaphors like cleaning the outside of a cup while leaving the inside dirty, and whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful outwardly but are filled with decay inside. The discussion also touches on the Pharisees’ misplaced values, such as prioritizing the gold of the temple over the temple itself, which was meant to be sacred.
A significant part of the conversation revolves around the translation of the word “gehenna” to “hell” in the King James Bible. Shawn clarifies that gehenna referred to a literal place outside Jerusalem used as a dump, which Jesus used as a metaphor for the impending judgment on the religious leaders of that time. This interpretation aligns with the historical context of the Roman siege of Jerusalem, where bodies were indeed cast into gehenna.
The session concludes with a reflection on the broader implications of Jesus’ words, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith and the willingness to embrace the truth. The McCraneys invite listeners to explore more of their teachings on their online platform, cult.love, where they offer a variety of courses, including their podcast “I Don’t Get the Bible.”