In Matthew 23:15, Jesus says to the scribes and Pharisees, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” This is a stern rebuke from Jesus against the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and failure to truly follow God’s laws.
To understand this verse, we need to look at the context. In Matthew 23, Jesus is pronouncing a series of warnings and woes against the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. They laid heavy burdens on people but did not lift a finger to help (v.4). They did their deeds to be seen by others (v.5). They loved places of honor and titles (v.6-7). They shut people out of the kingdom of heaven rather than entering themselves (v.13) and made their converts twice as much a child of hell as themselves (v.15).
The Pharisees were one of the major religious groups in Israel during Jesus’ time. They were known for strictly observing the Law of Moses and all the ritual purity laws they added on top. They sought to carefully follow all the commandments and details of the law. Outwardly, they appeared very righteous and pious.
However, Jesus condemned them for being hypocritical. Their outward displays of righteousness masked inward corruption. They added many extra rules but neglected justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). They appeared righteous on the outside but inside were full of greed, wickedness and self-indulgence (Matthew 23:25-28). Their focus was on minor details but neglected the more important matters of justice, mercy and faith (Matthew 23:23).
The Pharisees also prided themselves on being teachers of the law and making converts. But Jesus said that their converts became even worse than they were – “twice as much a child of hell.” Despite their emphasis on following the law, they did not genuinely lead people into a true relationship with God. The Pharisees were more concerned about making converts than sincere spiritual transformation.
So what did Jesus mean by calling them “child of hell”? Hell here refers to Gehenna, a valley outside Jerusalem where trash and bodies were burned. Gehenna symbolized condemnation and judgment. So calling someone a “child of hell” meant they were deserving of and headed for judgment.
Jesus used shocking language to get across how severely He wanted to warn people about following the example of the Pharisees. Their hypocrisy and false teaching would only lead people astray and into greater condemnation. Even though they appeared righteous, they could not bring people genuinely into the kingdom of heaven. By calling them “children of hell,” Jesus was pronouncing condemnation on them for their misleading of others.
Some key points about why Jesus referred to the Pharisees in this way:
- They focused on external ritual purity but inwardly were corrupt.
- They placed heavy burdens on people but did not help lift them.
- Their outward piety masked inward selfishness and self-righteousness.
- They made converts who followed rituals but did not truly know God.
- They shut people out of God’s kingdom and did not enter themselves.
- They neglected justice, mercy and faithfulness.
- They were hypocritical and their teaching led people astray.
- They were deserving of judgment for misleading others.
Jesus warned the people that following the teaching and example of the Pharisees would only lead to greater condemnation. Although they appeared righteous, they could not lead people into the sincere love and mercy of God which they themselves lacked. They did not understand the true spirit of God’s law which is love. By calling them “children of hell,” Jesus gave a stern warning about the dangerous hypocrisy and false religion of the Pharisees that could only lead others into the same pit.
1. The Pharisees’ Hypocrisy and Failure to Follow God’s Laws
The main reason Jesus referred to the Pharisees as “children of hell” was because of their hypocrisy and failure to genuinely follow God’s laws. Outwardly, the Pharisees put on an elaborate show of piety and righteousness. They followed the laws and rituals down to the minute detail. But inwardly, their hearts were far from God. Jesus condemned them for being like whitewashed tombs – beautiful on the outside but full of dead men’s bones on the inside (Matthew 23:27). Their outward displays of righteousness masked inward corruption.
Jesus called them hypocrites because they did not practice what they preached (Matthew 23:3). They laid heavy and cumbersome burdens on people by adding many meticulous rules and regulations to God’s laws. But they themselves did not lift a finger to help those struggling under these burdens (Matthew 23:4). They did all their deeds to be seen by others, wearing fancy scripture boxes and lengthening their prayers in order to impress (Matthew 23:5). They loved the places of honor at banquets and to be greeted with respect in public (Matthew 23:6-7). But inwardly they were not living out God’s laws of justice, mercy and faithfulness that matter most (Matthew 23:23).
The Pharisees’ hypocrisy was especially offensive because they were regarded as teachers and religious leaders who interpreted the Law of Moses. They were well-versed in Scripture and proudly wore this identity. Yet for all their knowledge, they were grossly misrepresenting God’s true character and laws. By calling them “children of hell,” Jesus pronounced His judgment on them for utterly failing to live out and teach God’s laws rightly. They honored God with their lips but their hearts were far from Him (Mark 7:6).
2. The Pharisees’ Pride and Self-Righteousness
Another key reason Jesus spoke so harshly against the Pharisees was because of their pride and self-righteousness. Even though they failed to live by God’s true standards, the Pharisees believed they were justified before God because of their meticulous keeping of the law and rituals. Jesus said they trusted in themselves that they were righteous and viewed others with contempt (Luke 18:9). Their pride came across in their elaborate displays of piety – wearing fancy scripture boxes, seeking seats of honor, and making sure everyone saw how spiritual they were with their lengthy prayers (Matthew 23:5-7).
The Pharisees’ self-righteousness caused them to believe they were the experts and authorities on Scripture. After all, they had intensely studied the laws and rituals. They took pride in their knowledge and ability to interpret Scripture. Because of this, they did not think they needed teaching or redirection, even from Jesus. In their arrogance, they looked down on tax collectors, prostitutes, and other sinners that Jesus welcomed (Matthew 9:10-13). Anyone who disagreed with their interpretations was lacking in understanding.
This toxic mixture of pride, arrogance and self-righteousness was reprehensible to Jesus. The Pharisees’ belief in their own righteousness blinded them from seeing their need for repentance. It caused them to reject Jesus and His message of grace and truth. It kept them from entering the kingdom and fostered spiritual blindness. Their proud hypocrisy utterly opposed the humility, grace and mercy of God. So Jesus pronounced them “children of hell” for misleading others down the path of self-righteous destruction they were on.
3. The Pharisees as False Teachers
Jesus also referred to the Pharisees as “children of hell” because they were false teachers who were misleading others. Being regarded as experts in the law, the Pharisees had significant influence over others. They prided themselves in winning converts who adopted their interpretations and way of life (Matthew 23:15). But despite their emphasis on the law, the Pharisees’ teaching did not lead people into a genuine relationship with God.
Jesus accused the Pharisees of shutting people out of the kingdom of heaven rather than entering themselves (Matthew 23:13). Their legalism and self-righteousness fostered spiritual pride rather than humility before God. They taught the rituals but not how to truly love and obey God. They were blind guides who strained out a gnat but swallowed a camel (Matthew 23:24). Outwardly they appeared righteous to others seeking direction. But inwardly they were far from the kingdom of God.
These false teachers made their converts even worse than themselves – twice the “child of hell” – because they passed on an empty hypocritical religion not true salvation. Their converts learned how to follow rituals and outward displays of piety, but not how to walk in faith, hope and love. The Pharisees’ example bred spiritual blindness and hardness of heart in their converts. This counterfeit of true faith was dangerous and deceptive, leading only to deeper condemnation.
As the Son of God, Jesus could clearly perceive the damaging hypocrisy and false teaching of the Pharisees. Out of love and desire to protect people, He strongly warned against following them and their ways. Although they appeared righteous teachers, they could only lead people down the broad path of destruction (Matthew 7:13). By calling them “children of hell,” Jesus gave a grave warning about the deception and consequences of their false religion. His harsh words aimed to jolt people into discernment and repentance.
4. The Coming Judgment on the Pharisees
Undergirding Jesus’ stern rebuke of the Pharisees was the reality of coming judgment for their hypocrisy and false teaching. Earlier in Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces a series of warnings to the scribes and Pharisees starting with “Woe to you…” These woes denounce the pride, hypocrisy, self-exaltation and injustice of the Pharisees. Jesus warns them that their claims to expertise will be judged. They will face a stricter judgment for knowing Scripture but failing to live it out and for preventing others from entering the kingdom.
When Jesus calls them “children of hell”, this ties back to the woes and warnings of coming judgment. Hell as a reference to Gehenna evoked imagery of fire and destruction. Jesus warned that their hypocritical words and actions were piling up judgment that would end in condemnation. They would not escape being held accountable before God, despite their privileged position as teachers. In fact, their greater knowledge would only add to their accountability (Luke 12:47-48). By calling them “children of hell,” Jesus reinforced the reality that the Pharisees would face God’s judgment and wrath if they did not repent.
Jesus as the Son of God knew the hearts of the Pharisees and the trajectory they were on. His harsh words aimed to wake them up to the coming consequences for their pride and false piety. The fire of Gehenna awaited unless they turned from their sins, hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Sadly, instead of heeding Jesus’ warnings with humility and repentance, the Pharisees continued down the destructive path of opposing Him.
5. To Shock People into Discernment
Lastly, Jesus referred to the Pharisees as “children of hell” to provoke His listeners into discernment and repentance. His shocking language cut through façades and jolted people into noticing the gravity of the situation. Jesus understood the powerful sway the Pharisees held over people as teachers of the law. His stern words grabbed people’s attention and urged them to evaluate the Pharisees (and their own lives) honestly rather than blindly follow.
By using such severe language, Jesus pushed people to open their eyes to the dangerous hypocrisy of the Pharisees. His condemnation was meant as a warning to flee from the influence of their false teaching and counterfeit religion. It was meant as a call to return to the truth of God’s word and genuineness of heart that the Pharisees lacked. Jesus’ harsh words were an invitation into the repentance, faith and sincerity the Pharisees resisted and rejected.
Jesus deliberately used provocative language because He cared deeply about the spiritual well-being of the people who were being misled. His warning revealed the sincerity of His efforts to turn them away from the broad path to destruction onto the narrow way of life (Matthew 7:13-14). By calling the respected Pharisees “children of hell” Jesus made it clear that hypocrisy and false religion, if not repented of, lead only to judgment. His shocking words were meant to startle people into repenting and returning to God before it was too late.
Conclusion
Jesus’ stern rebuke of calling the Pharisees “children of hell” provides a sobering warning that remains relevant today. Outward displays of piety can mask inward corruption. Pride and hypocrisy lead to self-righteousness and spiritual blindness. False teaching can seem respectable but lead people away from God’s truth and love. Pretending to be righteous while neglecting justice, mercy and faith is reprehensible to God.
May we approach Scripture with humility, taking Jesus’ warnings seriously. May we surround ourselves with godly community that can keep us accountable. May we abide in Christ daily so that we live out God’s word with sincerity, not just know it intellectually. And may we extend gracious correction to other believers, leaving judgments of eternal destiny to God alone.