Practice What You Preach
The greatest among you shall be your servant
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
In the temple courts, Jesus told the crowds to follow what the scribes and Pharisees taught from God's law, but not to copy what they did, because they didn't practice what they preached. He said they put heavy loads on people without helping, and did their good deeds to be seen. He told his followers they have one Teacher and one Father, and that the greatest among them shall be their servant.
Where it is in the Bible: Matthew 23:1-12
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. It is a few days before he dies.
- The crowds and the disciples: People listening to Jesus in the temple courts.
- The scribes and Pharisees: Religious leaders who taught God's law. Jesus is talking about them.
Setting
- The temple courts in Jerusalem.
When
- Holy Week, about 2,000 years ago, a few days before Jesus was crucified.
Before the Story
The leaders had tried to trap Jesus with questions. He answered every one, and "from that day on no one dared to question Him any further" (22:46).
Jesus had said the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor (22:37-39).
Here's what you know: Jesus is about to show what real greatness looks like. In a few days, he will wash his disciples' feet and die on a cross.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Do what they say | 23:1-3 | Jesus says to listen, but not to copy them |
| 2. Heavy loads | 23:4 | They put burdens on others |
| 3. Done to be seen | 23:5-7 | They love attention and titles |
| 4. One Teacher | 23:8-12 | Jesus says the greatest is the servant |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Do What They Say
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples.
The scribes and Pharisees taught God's law. Jesus said they sat in "Moses' seat."
"So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach" (23:3).
Scene 2 of 4Heavy Loads
"They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them" (23:4).
This is a comparison. The "loads" were all the extra rules they piled on people. They didn't help anyone carry them.
Scene 3 of 4Done to Be Seen
"All their deeds are done for men to see" (23:5).
They wore extra-large prayer boxes and extra-long tassels on their clothes, so everyone could see how religious they were.
They loved the best seats at dinners and in the synagogue.
They loved being greeted with respect in the marketplace and being called "Rabbi," which means "Teacher."
Scene 4 of 4One Teacher
Jesus told his followers not to be like that.
"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers" (23:8).
They have one Father, who is in heaven. And one Instructor, the Christ.
"The greatest among you shall be your servant" (23:11).
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (23:12).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Practice and observe everything they tell you" (23:3) | God's word is still God's word, even when the teacher falls short. |
| "They do not practice what they preach" (23:3) | Their lives didn't match their words. |
| "Not willing to lift a finger" (23:4) | They made life heavy for others and didn't help. |
| "Done for men to see" (23:5) | They did good things to be admired. |
| "You have one Teacher" (23:8) | Jesus is the one true Teacher. Everyone else is a fellow learner. |
| "The greatest among you shall be your servant" (23:11) | In Jesus's kingdom, greatness means serving. |
Back Then
Phylacteries were small leather boxes with Scripture inside. People tied them on their foreheads and arms when they prayed, following Deuteronomy 6:8.
Tassels were sewn on the corners of clothes. God commanded them to remind people of his commandments (Numbers 15:38-39).
"Moses' seat" was a place of teaching. Some synagogues had a special stone seat for the teacher.
Literal Reader Alert
Can I never call anyone "teacher" or "father"? Jesus is not banning words. Christians still have teachers and dads. He is warning against loving titles and putting people in God's place.
Were all Pharisees bad? No. Some Pharisees, like Nicodemus, followed Jesus (John 19:39). Jesus is warning about pride and showing off, which can happen to anyone.
Is it wrong to want to be noticed? It's normal. But Jesus says greatness is serving, not being seen. God sees what you do in secret (6:4).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The crowds | Burdened | They carried heavy loads of rules (23:4) |
| The scribes and Pharisees | Proud | They loved honor and titles (23:6-7) |
| The disciples | Challenged | Jesus told them to serve (23:11) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does Jesus's warning say to you? Tap one.
I show off
Everyone does sometimes. Jesus says the greatest is the servant.
My words and life don't match
That's true for all of us. Jesus forgives, and helps us change.
Someone loaded me down
Jesus doesn't. His burden is light (11:30).
I want to serve
That's what greatness looks like to Jesus.
You Might Have Heard
"Church people are all hypocrites."
What's true: Christians don't always practice what they preach. Jesus said so about religious leaders.
What the story is mainly about: Jesus is honest about hypocrisy, and he doesn't excuse it. But he doesn't point people to better leaders. He points them to himself, the one Teacher, who served all the way to the cross.
Where Jesus is: In the temple courts, a few days before he would humble himself completely, for us.
Good News
The leaders put heavy loads on people. Jesus came to carry them.
"The greatest among you shall be your servant" (23:11).
Jesus is the greatest, and he became the servant of all. He humbled himself to death on a cross. God lifted him up, and he lifts up everyone who trusts him.
Jesus is the one Teacher who practiced everything he preached. He humbled himself to serve us.
Big Idea
Don't do things to be seen. Jesus, our one Teacher, practiced everything he preached, and the greatest is the one who serves.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther warned against using religion to look holy in front of others. He taught that true good works are done quietly, for the sake of our neighbor, not to be seen.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Matthew 23:1-12 in early November (Lectionary 31).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
The greatest among you shall be your servant.
How did that feel?
You finished Practice What You Preach.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 31 Year AGospel, Matthew 23:1–12
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Practice What You Preach, explained in plain words. Jesus warns about religious leaders who love being seen. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/practice-what-you-preach/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church