第廿三章
最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：
1那時，耶穌對眾人和門徒講論，2說：「文士和法利賽人坐在摩西的位上，3
凡他們所吩咐你們的，你們都要謹守遵行。但不要效法他們的行為；因為他
們能說，不能行。4他們把難擔的重擔捆起來，擱在人的肩上，但自己一個
指頭也不肯動。5他們一切所做的事都是要叫人看見，所以將佩戴的經文做寬
了，衣裳的繸子做長了，6喜愛筵席上的首座，會堂裏的高位，7又喜愛人在
街市上問他安，稱呼他拉比（拉比就是夫子）。8但你們不要受拉比的稱呼，
因為只有一位是你們的夫子；你們都是弟兄。9也不要稱呼地上的人為父，
因為只有一位是你們的父，就是在天上的父。10也不要受師尊的稱呼，因為
只有一位是你們的師尊，就是基督。11你們中間誰為大，誰就要作你們的用
人。12凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。
默想：
1. 耶穌吩咐門徒不要接受拉比、父或教師的稱號，因為世上只有一位最終
極、最具權威的教師——不是摩西或所羅門，而是基督（10節）。因
此，跟從耶穌的人，要一生做學生。凡高舉自己的必降為卑，謙卑的人
必升為高（12節）。耶穌反覆多次責備他們「假冒為善」，這意思就是
「做戲」的行為。文士和法利賽人外表與實質不一致、說話與行為不配
合，引致耶穌嚴厲的批評（13-33節）。
2. 文士和法利賽人相當於現代的教授。他們非常仔細入微地研讀聖經，
又背誦大量篇幅的經文。即使如此，亦未能使他們完全遵從所研讀的教
訓。你要怎樣避免成為假冒為善，說一套，做一套的人呢？
禱告與筆錄：
繼續安靜在神面前聆聽神，並將你的的思想、問題、觸動你的字、詞、圖
畫，或是與神的禱告，寫在你的靈程筆記簿上面。
今日箴言：3:31-35
31不可嫉妒強暴的人，也不可選擇他所行的路。32因為乖僻人為耶和
華所憎惡，正直人為他所親密。33耶和華咒詛惡人的家庭，賜福於義人
的居所。34他譏誚那好譏誚的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。35智慧人必承受尊
榮，愚昧人高升也成為羞辱。
Chapter 23
If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here.
Then focus on the following section:
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2”The teachers of the law and the
Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you.
But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up
heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to
lift a finger to move them. 5”Everything they do is done for men to see: They make
their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place
of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to
be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ 8”But you are not
to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9And do
not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor
are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11The greatest
among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Meditation:
1. Jesus’ disciples are commanded not to accept the title rabbi, father, or teacher,
for there is only one final and authoritative teacher – not Moses or Solomon,
but the Christ (v10). Thus, Jesus’ followers must always remain learners. Those
who exalt themselves will be humbled and vice versa (v12). Jesus repeatedly
condemns play-acting, which is what the word “hypocrite” actually means.
Jesus’ criticism is aimed at the dichotomy between appearance and reality,
between word and deed.
2. The scribes and Pharisees were the professors of their time. They studied
Scripture in minute detail and memorized huge chunks of it. Yet all of their study
and memorization didn’t keep them from doing things contrary to what they
were studying. How can you keep from being hypocrite: teaching one thing and
doing another?
Prayer & Journaling:
On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions,
words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Proverbs for Today: Prov 3:31-35
Family Time:
Talk about the meaning of being exalted and being humbled. Share a time when
you thought too highly of yourself and were humiliated because of it. Look up
and read aloud Matt 20:26; John 6:3; and 1 Cor 10:12. Have someone to pray
asking God to give each of you true humility.