Hypocrisy Denounced: The last of Matthew’s five major discourses begins with chapter 23 and runs through chapter 25 (see the standard closing formula at 26:1). It differs from the others somewhat in that there is a break and change of scene between chapters 23 and 24. The first section (chap. 23) is directed to a wider audience (cf. vv. 1, 13, 37); in the second (chaps. 24–25) Jesus speaks to his disciples in private. The material in chapter 23 has been compiled by Matthew on the basis of topical relevance. It was not a single speech given on a specific occasion. Tasker suggests that Matthew may have organized the material according to the pattern of Deuteronomy 32:1–40, in which Moses sang of Israel’s ingratitude and idolatry and then of the goodness of God (p. 216).

Critics have questione…