Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 23:3

3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but do not ye after their works, for they say, and do not.

Our Lord having now done with the Pharisees, turneth his D[illegible: 1 letter]scourse to the more Docible People, who (as we heard before) heard him attentively, and gladly, Mark 12.37. Luke 19.48. Our Saviour fore-saw, that some unwary Hearers might make two ill uses of what he had spoke against the Scribes and Pha[illegible: 1 letter]isees. 1. Some might report him an Enemy to the Law t[illegible: 1 letter]e Interpreters of which the Pharisees were. 2. Others mig[illegible: 1 letter]t contemn the Authority of the Law, because he had represented these Men, in whose Hand the Interpretat[illegible: 1 letter]on of it at present, was so truly Contemptible. Whereas on the other side, many might run into Errors of Practice, from the Example of the Scribes, and Pharisees, their Magistrates and Teachers. Against all these mistakes, he Cautions them in this Chap. Shewing, that he did not undervalue the Law of Moses, nor would have his Reflections on the Pharisees prejudice any thing which they taught them of it, and according to it; neither would he have his People take the Copy of the Law from their Actions. The Scribes, and Pharisees sit in Moses seat. These Men were the ordinary Readers, and Interpreters of the Law of God. Moses is here put for the Law, as Luke 16.31. If they hear not Moses, and the Prophets, and so v. 29. They have Moses and the Prophets. Moses his Seat signifieth the Seat appointed for those, that gave the Sense of the Law, or Judgment upon it, thus Acts 15.21. 2 Cor. 3.15. Moses in old time, hath in every City those that Preach him, being Read in the Synagogue every Sabbath Day. Their way was, while they Read the Scriptures, they Stood up, (paying a particular Reverence to the pure Word of God) Luke 4.16. when they had done Reading, they sate down and opened it. Their sitting in the Seat of Moses did not signifie a Succession to Moses, for he had no Successor, being the Mediator of the Old Testament. But the delivering and interpreting the Doctrine, and Law of M[illegible: 1 letter]ses. Dr. Lightfoot thinks it is rather to be understood of the Chair of M[illegible: 1 letter]gistracy, than the Doctrinal Chair. The Phar sees being Exercised in that, it may be understood of both, for the Reading, and Interpreting the Law, chiefly belong'd to the Scribes. All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, observe and do. That is, whatsoever is in M[illegible: 1 letter]ses, which they bid you observe, and do. The Term All is to be understood restrainedly, with respect to the Subject, matter or Persons spoken of, in Multitudes of Scriptures. OurSaviours cautioning his Disciples, so often against the Leaven of these Men, and their Traditions, plainly sheweth us, that must be here the Sense of it. Let not the Law of God lose its Authority with you, because of these wicked Men. He doth not Command them to hear none but them, for then to what purpose did he himself Preach, or send out the Twelve, if none might hear them. All that can be concluded from this Text is, That the Law of God, or Word of God, is not to be dispised whoever Reads, or delivereth it, he goeth on. But after their Works do not, for they say and do not. We are Naturally more led by Example, than by Precept. Men had therefore need be Cautioned against ill living Teachers. Odi Philosophum qui non sapir sibi. A Man had need very well know the Medicine, which he taketh from a Physician, he seeth Sick of the same Disease, when he himself refuseth and Abominates it. He that sa[illegible: 1 letter]s and doth not, may be heard, but not imitated. There may be a time, when Men can ordinarily hear no others, which was the present Case.

Marginal references: Rom. 2.21.22.