Matthew 23:3 (KJV)

What does Matthew 23:3 mean?

Matthew 23:3 says that people should pay attention to and follow what the religious leaders teach, but not copy their actions, because those leaders do not practice what they preach. Jesus is warning that the leaders’ instructions might be correct, but their behavior does not match their words.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the crowds and his disciples about the scribes and Pharisees, who were respected teachers of the Jewish law. He points out the gap between what these leaders say and what they actually do, urging listeners to notice the difference between right teaching and poor example. This sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where Jesus criticizes hypocrisy among religious authorities.

The Greek behind Matthew 23:3

• The word "observe" (τηρέω, tēreō) appears twice and means to keep, guard, or pay careful attention to. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of listening to the content of the teaching, not just hearing it.
• "Do" (ποιέω, poieō) is used both for what the people should do and what the leaders fail to do. The repetition highlights the contrast between saying and actually doing.
• "For they say, and do not" uses the Greek words λέγω (legō, "say") and ποιέω (poieō, "do"), making the leaders’ inconsistency clear in the original language.

Why Matthew 23:3 matters

• This verse clarifies that Jesus is not rejecting the law or its teaching, but is calling out the failure of leaders to live by what they teach.
• It highlights the problem of hypocrisy, showing that correct teaching is not enough if it is not matched by genuine action.
• Matthew 23:3 helps explain why Jesus later delivers strong warnings against the scribes and Pharisees, setting up the theme of integrity versus outward appearance in religious life.