In today’s gospel text Jesus is still in the temple, teaching and speaking before his disciples as well as a mixed crowd of casual listeners. Certain scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees had been badgering Jesus with questions designed to make him look bad. They now have physically retreated from the scene. But these opponents are still the focus of Jesus’ words in 23:1-12, for they offer both examples of possibilities and pitfalls.

As Jesus begins addressing “the crowds” and “his disciples,” he initially sounds deferential, even complimentary, to the scribes and Pharisees. He locates them “on Moses’ seat.” Where is that? Some more recent archaeologists claim this “seat” to be a physical reality. But it may be more safely and accurately understood as a metaphorical reference. Those who sit “on…