King James Version

What Does Matthew 23:13 Mean?

Matthew 23:13 in the King James Version says “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”

Matthew 23:13 · KJV

Context

11

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

13

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

14

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

15

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Read Matthew 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men—the Greek ouai (οὐαί, woe) expresses not anger but profound grief, like a funeral lament. Hypokritai (ὑποκριταί, hypocrites) derives from Greek theater, meaning actors wearing masks—their piety was performance, not reality. The phrase kleiete tēn basileian tōn ouranōn (κλείετε τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν, you shut the kingdom of heaven) uses a vivid metaphor: they stand at the gate, blocking entrance.

The tragedy deepens: you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. The verb aphiete (ἀφίετε, allow) shows active obstruction, not passive failure. The Pharisees rejected Jesus (the door to the kingdom, John 10:9) and prevented others from entering by teaching that He was demon-possessed (Matthew 12:24). This is the gravest indictment: not merely missing salvation themselves, but blocking others from finding it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

By AD 30, the scribes and Pharisees controlled popular religious teaching throughout Judea and Galilee. Their rejection of Jesus as Messiah, backed by their authority and scholarship, influenced countless Jews to reject Him. After His resurrection, they continued opposing the Gospel (Acts 4:1-3, 5:17-18), fulfilling Jesus's accusation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do religious leaders today 'shut the kingdom of heaven' by teaching falsehood or creating barriers to faith?
  2. What makes blocking others from salvation worse than merely failing to enter oneself?
  3. Why does Jesus grieve (woe) over the Pharisees rather than simply condemning them in anger?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
Οὐαὶ1 of 25

“woe”

G3759

woe

δὲ2 of 25

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὑμῖν3 of 25

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

γραμματεῖς4 of 25

“scribes”

G1122

a professional writer

καὶ5 of 25

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Φαρισαῖοι6 of 25

“Pharisees”

G5330

a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary

ὑποκριταί7 of 25

“hypocrites”

G5273

an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"

ὅτι8 of 25

“! for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

κλείετε9 of 25

“ye shut up”

G2808

to close (literally or figuratively)

τὴν10 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλείαν11 of 25

“the kingdom”

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

τῶν12 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανῶν13 of 25

“of heaven”

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

ἔμπροσθεν14 of 25

“against”

G1715

in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)

τῶν15 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπων·16 of 25

“men”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ὑμεῖς17 of 25

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

γὰρ18 of 25

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

οὐκ19 of 25

“yourselves neither”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εἰσελθεῖν20 of 25

“go in”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

οὐδὲ21 of 25

“neither”

G3761

not however, i.e., neither, nor, not even

τοὺς22 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εἰσελθεῖν23 of 25

“go in”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

ἀφίετε24 of 25

“suffer ye”

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

εἰσελθεῖν25 of 25

“go in”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 23:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 23:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 11:52Matthew 23:29Matthew 23:23Matthew 23:27Zechariah 11:172 Timothy 4:15

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