This is a reference made by Jesus in Matthew 23:14 where he pronounces woe upon the scribes and Pharisees, saying they “devour widows’ houses.” But what exactly does this mean?
There are a few key things to understand about the context here:
- Jesus was addressing the religious leaders – the scribes were experts in the law and the Pharisees were a sect that strictly observed the law.
- He pronounced a series of “woes” against them in this chapter, confronting their hypocrisy and wrong practices.
- “Widows” were among the most vulnerable in society back then, often lacking protection and provision.
So when Jesus said the Pharisees were devouring widows’ houses, he was accusing them of preying upon and taking advantage of widows in particular. There are a few ways they may have done this:
1. Foreclosing on widows’ homes over debts
One way the Pharisees exploited widows was through foreclosing on their homes over unpaid debts. Women in those times often did not inherit much from their husbands and struggled to pay costs for living and food. The Pharisees used their power and legal knowledge to confiscate widows’ houses when debts went unpaid.
2. Pressuring widows for offerings
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for being greedy and self-indulgent, even though they kept strict outward appearances (Matthew 23:25). They put heavy and disproportionate burdens on people to give offerings at the temple and synagogue. Widows may have been pressured to give money they didn’t have.
3. Charging widows unfair fees
The Pharisees often found loopholes and technicalities to charge extra fees of people – for everything from food tithes to ceremonial vow redemptions (Matthew 23:16-22). They may have intentionally targeted and overcharged widows who were not familiar with the complex laws.
4. Mismanaging widow’s estates
Wealthy widows would sometimes rely on the Pharisees’ legal expertise to handle estates and trusts. The Pharisees may have misused their position to mismanage assets and siphon off funds.
5. Neglecting care for widows
God’s law strictly charged the Israelites to care for widows along with orphans and foreigners (Exodus 22:22-24). But the Pharisees neglected this duty while flaunting their stalwart observance of other laws. Their lack of compassion exploited widows’ needs.
Jesus offered a scathing indictment of the Pharisees for their overt hypocrisy and false spirituality. They appeared righteous outwardly but in practice they actually oppressed the vulnerable. Their greed, self-indulgence, and lack of compassion led them to find ways to prey upon widows – from pressuring offerings to mismanaging their assets.
This serves as a grave warning. Religious devotion means nothing if it is not accompanied by justice, mercy and sincerity. As James 1:27 says, true religion requires caring for widows in need. We must guard our own hearts against hypocrisy and be sure to protect the vulnerable rather than take advantage of them.
Other Examples of Pharisees Exploiting the Vulnerable
Beyond their mistreatment of widows, the Gospels also shed light on other ways the Pharisees exploited and overlooked the vulnerable in society:
The poor
The Pharisees viewed wealth as a sign of God’s blessing and poverty as a curse or punishment for sin. Their theologies promoted the rich while further oppressing the poor (Luke 16:14, James 2:6-7).
The sick
Though they kept stringent Sabbath laws, the Pharisees had no patience or compassion toward healing the sick on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17, Mark 3:1-6). Their legalism overlooked human needs.
Social outcasts
The Pharisees shunned sinners and outcasts from society, building barriers between themselves and those they deemed as spiritual failures (Luke 18:9-14). They failed to reach out to the very ones Jesus came to save (Matthew 9:10-13).
Heavy burdens
While the Pharisees provided legal loopholes for themselves, they placed heavy religious burdens onto others without providing aid (Matthew 23:4). Their harsh, cynical legalism oppressed regular people.
Overall, the Pharisees were characterized by misplaced priorities and callousness toward those in need. Jesus confronted this at every turn, providing a model of relating to the vulnerable with compassion.
7 Lessons We Can Learn
As we reflect on Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees devouring widows’ houses, here are seven lessons we can take to heart:
- Authentic faith requires caring for the vulnerable, not exploiting them.
- Outward religiosity means nothing if not accompanied by justice, mercy and sincerity.
- Self-indulgence and greed often creep in subtly – we must guard our hearts.
- Those with power and privilege have a duty to protect the disadvantaged.
- Neglecting to care for others is itself a form of oppression.
- Standing up for what is right often means speaking truth to power.
- The best test of our faith is how we treat and advocate for those in need.
Principles on Caring for Widows
Scripture outlines several principles for how widows ought to be treated – in contrast to the Pharisees’ example:
Defend and uphold justice for widows
“Defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:9). Widows deserve full justice and we must speak up on their behalf against those who exploit them.
Care personally for widows in need
“Religion that God accepts as pure is this: caring for widows in their need” (James 1:27). It’s not just a job for the church but for every believer.
Provide food and daily necessities
“Make sure that the widows among you are taken care of . . . Provide food for the hungry” (1 Timothy 5:3, 10). We must give generously to supply widows’ basic needs.
Fulfill God’s mandate to protect them
“The Lord protects foreigners and orphans; he cares for widows” (Psalm 146:9). When we care for widows, we reflect God’s own compassionate heart.
Consider it true spirituality
“A Father who cares for orphans and widows in need is the kind of religion that God the Father considers pure” (James 1:27). God measures our heart by how we treat vulnerable widows.
May we live out these principles in authentic care and advocacy, unlike the Pharisees who exploited the weak. As we defend and provide for widows, we honor what the Lord finds pure and undefiled religion in His sight.