They Were Not Just Wrong. They Led Others Wrong Too

Jesus did not speak lightly about false teachers. In Matthew 23, He did not pull them aside for a quiet correction. He exposed them openly, because the danger was not just what they believed, but what they were doing to others.

“Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.’” (Matthew 23:1–3)

They had authority and handled the Word of God, yet their lives contradicted it. “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.” (Matthew 23:4)

They made religion heavy for others while avoiding the weight themselves, and underneath it all was pride, because “they do all their deeds to be noticed by men… they love the place of honor.” (Matthew 23:5–6)

Jesus then makes the real issue clear. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:13) They were not just missing the truth, they were blocking others from it. That is what makes a false teacher dangerous.

It goes further. “Woe to you… because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15) They were active and persuasive, but what they produced was not truth. It was more deception.

Jesus calls them what they are. “Woe to you, blind guides…” (Matthew 23:16) They were leading, but they could not see. “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” (Matthew 23:24) They focused on outward details while ignoring what actually mattered, because “you have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.” (Matthew 23:23)

On the outside they looked right, but inside was corruption. “You clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25) “You are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27)

Jesus does not soften the conclusion. “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?” (Matthew 23:33) This is directed at religious leaders. That matters.

Scripture repeats this warning again and again. “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) They do not look dangerous, and that is why they are. “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:13) “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

This is deception that wears the appearance of truth. Jesus said, “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.” (Matthew 24:11) and even, “so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24)

Peter and Paul say the same thing. “False teachers… will secretly introduce destructive heresies… Many will follow them.” (2 Peter 2:1–2) “Savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise… to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29–30) From among your own selves!

This is why Matthew 23 matters so much. Jesus was not just exposing bad behavior. He was exposing a pattern that would continue. False teachers are not just wrong, they lead others wrong. They do not just miss the truth, they stand in the way of it. They do not just stay blind, they guide others into blindness. That is why Jesus spoke the way He did.

The question is not whether they exist. The question is whether we can recognize them. “So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:20) Look at what they produce. Truth produces life. Error produces more error.

And if someone is leading people away from the truth of God’s Word, it does not matter how religious they sound. Jesus already told you what they are. If you are walking in the Spirit, you will see them also.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

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