Wherefore ye testify against yourselves — By your smooth words as well as devilish actions: that ye are the genuine sons of them who killed the prophets of their own times, while they professed the utmost veneration for those of past ages.
From Matthew 23:3-30 is exposed every thing that commonly passes in the world for religion, whereby the pretenders to it keep both themselves and others from entering into the kingdom of God; from attaining, or even seeking after those tempers, in which alone true Christianity consists. As, Punctuality in attending on public and private prayer, Matthew 23:4-14. Zeal to make proselytes to our opinion or communion, though they have less of the spirit of religion than before, Matthew 23:15. A superstitious reverence for consecrated places or things, without any for Him to whom they are consecrated, Matthew 23:16-22. A scrupulous exactness in little observances, though with the neglect of justice, mercy, and faith, Matthew 23:23-24. A nice cautiousness to cleanse the outward behaviour, but without any regard to inward purity, Matthew 23:25-26. A specious face of virtue and piety, covering the deepest hypocrisy and villany, Matthew 23:27-28 A professed veneration for all good men, except those among whom they live.