Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 23 reveals some of the foibles and follies of those striving to be respected and remembered as truly pious. The Pharisees, the group selected for reprimand in today’s text, were not the “bad kids” in the first century collective crowd. In fact, they were perceived by most Jews as the most straight-laced, Torah-observant, morally and religiously strict and respectable. But in Matthew’s gospel the Pharisees are repeatedly held up as examples of what was wrong with first-century Jewish faith. Furthermore, they are depicted as being “out to get” Jesus, even as Jesus continues publicly and pointedly to denounce their brand of piety.

In today’s text Jesus has finished being peppered with questions by these Pharisees. He turns now to address his audience, comprised of…