"Greater Damnation…"

May 19, 2014

“Greater Damnation…”

Blessings folk!

We continue the “woes” proclaimed by Jesus in Matthew 23.

We encounter something today of which we need to be aware.

I usually provide the Scripture passage...with a hyperlink for parallel translations.

Here is the passage for today in the New American Standard.

Matthew 23:14
14 [Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.]


...the King James (Authorized) Version

Matthew 23:14
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.


...lastly, the English Standard Version and NIV

Matthew 23:14



No, that is not a typographical omission.

Many “modern, contemporary” translations will simply omit certain verses from the Word.
This is an example.
They usually say something in the footnotes along this line “this verse is not in the earliest manuscripts.”
The NASB does not delete, but will “bracket” a passage with an accompanying footnote.
A proper discussion is beyond this forum.
Suffice to say that when I study, I use several translations beginning with the KJV and NASB.
Do not allow the evil one to distract you with this.

Now, for the passage.

The scribes and Pharisees were to receive “greater condemnation”...greater than what?
“Regular” condemnation?
Likely.

What they were doing was of such a degree of evil that they would receive greater wrath from God.

Note what they were doing.

  1. Devouring widow’s houses. They were abusing the widow’s resources. The same tactic occur today...not just limited to “televangelist”. The Lord does not look lightly upon abusing the widow.

  1. They were making long, pretense-filled prayers. Prayers of the mind and soul of man that brought glory to man and his activities rather than glory to God.

Greater damnation is the reward for such “religious activities”.
Be not a part of such.