A long condemnation of the religious leaders of the time, honoring the righteous when dead.
Matthew 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
Matthew 23:29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.
Oh-vey, you scribes, and Pharisees. actors! Because you construct the tombs of the prophets, and you arrange the memorials of the virtuous.
No one is threatened by the virtuous once they are dead.
The word translated as "build" has the metaphoric sense of "build up" as in making something bigger and more important.
The Greek words translated as "garnish the sepulchers" and "decorate the graves" actually means "arrange the memorials." The biblical translators make it sound
While the word translated a "garnish/decorate" has a secondary meaning for "adorn," its primary meaning is "to order" and "to arrange," a verb form of the word that Jesus commonly uses to refer to the "world order."
The word translated as "sepulchers/graves" means "memorial" or "record." It is a noun form of the verb meaning "to remember." This could refer to the role of religious leaders giving speeches at funerals or creating other forms of memorials for those who were seen as particularly good examples.
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "Pharisees" means "distinguished." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "hypocrites" means "actors." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "tombs" is the same word translated as "sepulcher" in the previous verse.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "garnish" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "sepulchers" should be something more like "memorials."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "teachers" should be something more like "writers."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "of the law" doesn't exist in the source.
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "Pharisees" means "distinguished." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "hypocrites" means "actors." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "since" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "decorate" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "graves" should be something more like "memorials."
Woe - "Woe" is from an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas." Today we would say "sadly" or "boo-hoo." More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor, under the subtitle, "exaggeration."
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
you, -- The "you" here is from the plural, dative, second-person pronoun.
scribes - "Scribes" is translated from a Greek word describing anyone who used written records in their job, "secretary," "registrar,' and "scholar." However, Christ used it to name those scholars who specifically studied the Bible and wrote about its meanings.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
Pharisees, -- (UW) "Pharisees" is an example of where we use the Greek word as the name of the religious sect, instead of translating it. In Greek, the word means the "separatists" or "the judgmental," but it is a Hebrew word meaning "distinguished" or "elite."
hypocrites! -- (UW) The Greek for "the hypocrites" is a great example of a word that has taken its English meaning from how it is used in the Bible rather than the original Greek. The primary meaning during Christ's era was "an actor." See this article on the word and its wordplay.
because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." It is not the word normally translated as "for" in the Gospel, used below, but a word normally translated as "that."
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
build - "Build" is a word that specifically means "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify." The English word "construct" may come closest.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
tombs - (CW) "Tombs" is from the word that the KJV translated in Matthew 23:27 as "sepluchers." It means both the funeral service and the burial site. The idea here is that a tomb is built up as a "house" not just to build tombs.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
prophets, - The Greek word translated as "prophets" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. Jesus uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople, but their books in the OT. It is from the verb that means "to shine before." This word is a form of the verb meaning "to shine" that has been used in the previous two verses, Matthew 23:27 and Matthew 23:28 , and translated as "appear."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
garnish - (CW) The Greek word translated as "garnish" means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn," and "to equip." It is the verb form of the noun that means "the world order," usually translated as "the world" in the NT. Jesus frequently uses the noun, but only uses this verb four times.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
sepulchres - (WW) The Greek word translated as "sepulchres" is not the word translated as "sepulchers" in Matthew 23:27, but a word that means "memorial," "remembrance," and "record." Jesus uses this noun only four times, but does use two different verb forms of the same root word.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
righteous, - The final word here can either be the noun means "the virtuous" or a form of the verb means "to do right." When introduced by an article, as it here, the verb becomes the concept of doing right, "these virtues." This idea also refers back to the previous verse where Christ said his accusers "appear" righteous.
Woe - "Woe" is from an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas." Today we would say "sadly" or "boo-hoo." More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor, under the subtitle, "exaggeration."
to -- This word to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
you, -- The "you" here is from the plural, dative, second-person pronoun.
teachers - (WW) "Teachers" is translated from a Greek word describing anyone who used written records in their job, "secretary," "registrar,' and "scholar." However, Christ used it to name those scholars who specifically studied the Bible and wrote about its meanings.
of the law -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "of the law" in the Greek source.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
Pharisees, -- (UW) "Pharisees" is an example of where we use the Greek word as the name of the religious sect, instead of translating it. In Greek, the word means the "separatists" or "the judgmental," but it is a Hebrew word meaning "distinguished" or "elite."
you - This is from the vocative form of the noun that means it names the person being talked to.
hypocrites! -- (UW) The Greek for "the hypocrites" is a great example of a word that has taken its English meaning from how it is used in the Bible rather than the original Greek. The primary meaning during Christ's era was "an actor." See this article on the word and its wordplay.
missing "since" -- (MW) The untranslated word "since" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
You -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
build - "Build" is a word that specifically means "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify." The English word "construct" may come closest.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
tombs - "Tombs" is from the word that the NIV translated in Matthew 23:27 as "tombs." It means both the funeral service and the burial site. The idea here is that a tomb is built up as a "house" not just to build tombs.
for -- This word "for " comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. In references to time, it could instead be translated ‘during’, ‘at’, or ‘within’.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
prophets, - The Greek word translated as "prophets" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. Jesus uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople, but their books in the OT. It is from the verb that means "to shine before." This word is a form of the verb meaning "to shine" that has been used in the previous two verses, Matthew 23:27 and Matthew 23:28 , and translated as "appear."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
decorate - (CW) The Greek word translated as "decorate " means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn," and "to equip." It is the verb form of the noun that means "the world order," usually translated as "the world" in the NT. Jesus frequently uses the noun, but only uses this verb four times.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
graves - (WW) The Greek word translated as "graves" a word that means "memorial," "remembrance," and "record." Jesus uses this noun only four times, but does use two different verb forms of the same root word. It does not mean "graves."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
righteous, - The final word here can either be the noun means "the virtuous" or a form of the verb means "to do right." When introduced by an article, as it here, the verb becomes the concept of doing right, "these virtues." This idea also refers back to the previous verse where Christ said his accusers "appear" righteous.
Οὐαί [27 verses](exclam) "Woe" is ouai, which is an exclamation of pain or anger meaning "woe" or "alas."
ὑμῖν [289 verses] (pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is from hymin (humin), which is the 2nd person plural dative pronoun. Dative is the case which indicates to whom something is given. --
γραμματεῖς [17 verses](noun pl masc nom/acc/voc) "Scribes" is grammateus, which is generally a "secretary," "registrar," "recorder," and "scholar," but specifically means someone who uses gramma which is Greek for "drawings," "a letter," (as in an alphabet)"diagrams," and "letters" (as in correspondence).]
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
Φαρισαῖοι [19 verses](noun pl masc nom/voc) "Pharisees" is Pharisaios, which means "the separated," "the separate ones," "separatist" and refers to the religious sect. The word comes from the Hebrew, parash, which means "to distinguish." So the sense is also "the distinguished" or "the elite."
ὑποκριταί, ὶ [18 verses](noun pl masc nom/voc) Hypocrites" is from hypokrites, which means "an interpreter," "an actor," "a stage player," and "a dissembler."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "For" is from hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
οἰκοδομεῖτε [18 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "Ye build" is from oikodomeo, which means to "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify."
τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
τάφους [4 verses]noun pl masc acc) "Tombs" is taphos, which means "funeral rights," "funeral feast," "grave," and "tomb."
τῶν [821 verses](article pl masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
προφητῶν [37 verses](noun pl masc gen) "The prophets" is prophetes, which means "one who speaks for a god and interprets his will," "interpreter," "keepers of the oracle," "the highest level of priesthood in Egypt," "interpreter," and "herald." It is a verb that means "to shine forth" It is a form of the verb, prophao. which means "to shine forth," or "to shine before."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
κοσμεῖτε [4 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "Garnish" is kosmeô, which means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn" (especially women), and "to equip." It especially means controlling and arranging an army. It is the verb form of kosmos, the world order. "Kosmos" is usually translated as "the world," but Christ uses to refer to the organization of the rulers of this world.
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
μνημεῖα [3 verses] (noun pl neut acc) "Sepulchres" is mnêmeion, which means "memorial," "remembrance," and "record."
τῶν [821 verses](article pl masc gen ) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
δικαίων, (adj pl masc gen or verb pres inf act) "The righteous" is from dikaios which means "observant of rules," "observant of customs," "well-ordered," "civilized," and "observant of duty." Later it means "well-balanced," "impartial," and "just." As a verb, it means to "set right," "hold or deem right," "claim or demand as a right," "pronounce judgment," "do a man right or justice," "chastise," "punish, and in passive, "have right done one." -- The term translated as "righteous" means "those who observe the laws," "one who does what is right," and "proper and fitting."
The word "prophets" is a form of the word meaning "to shine" which was the focus of last two verses.
The word translated as "the righteous" also means "these virtues."
"Boo-hoo to you," he said, again addressing his accursers. "Scholars and elites, actors!"
The crowd cheered the repeated refrain.
"Because you are building estates," he said, raising his hands indicating a grand estate. Then lowered his hands indicating the ground, and continued more seriously. "From the tombs of the prophets."
The crowd booed.
"And," he continued, pausing briefly for silence.
"Organzing the records," he said, doing a little routine of shuffling papers. Then he indicated the crowd and finished. "Of the virtuous."
The crowd cheered!