Do Whatever They Tell You: Scribes, Pharisees, and Moses' Seat (Matthew 23:2-3)
In Do Whatever They Tell You, we explore Yeshua’s words in Matthew 23:2–3, where He tells the crowd to obey the scribes and Pharisees who “sit in Moses’ seat.”
Did Yeshua affirm their teachings—or was He pointing to something deeper?
This teaching examines the historical and textual background showing that Yeshua wasn’t validating Pharisaic tradition but affirming obedience to the words of Moses they read aloud each Sabbath (Exodus 18:13–16; Acts 15:21; Matthew 23:1–4).
When understood in context, Yeshua’s command calls His followers to heed the Torah itself, not the traditions that make void the Word of God.
Takeaway:
Yeshua directs His people to hear Moses’ words and live them—testing every teaching by Scripture, not by man-made authority.
In this episode, we explore Acts 15:21 and its often-overlooked role in defining the apostles’ expectations for Gentile believers. Far from replacing Torah observance, the Jerusalem Council outlined a process by which Gentiles would begin their discipleship in the synagogue—learning Moses week by week.
Show Notes:
How were Gentile believers expected to grow in their faith after being welcomed into the community without circumcision? Acts 15:21 provides the key. James assumed regular synagogue attendance, where Moses was read every Sabbath. This teaching challenges the idea that the four rules in Acts 15:20 are the totality of Gentile responsibility. Instead, it shows how Torah learning was foundational to early discipleship. Scripture, scholarship, and first-century practice come together in this powerful teaching.
Takeaway:
Torah observance for Gentiles was never off the table—it was always on the calendar: every Sabbath.
What did Yeshua mean when he said looking at a woman with lustful intent is adultery in the heart? Was he setting an impossible standard—or affirming the Tenth Commandment against coveting? This powerful teaching explores Matthew 5:27–30 with Torah context and clarity, addressing the heart behind sexual sin.
In this teaching, we unpack Yeshua’s words in Matthew 5 about lustful intent. Many have interpreted this passage as setting an unattainable moral bar—but does that reflect what the Torah and Yeshua actually say? By examining the language of coveting in Exodus 20, the grammar of Matthew, and related Scripture from James and Genesis, we see that Yeshua is affirming an existing commandment, not raising the bar to impossible heights. This message also speaks clearly to the issues of pornography, inner desires, and modern application—calling believers to redirect their hearts and intentions toward righteousness.
Spiritual Takeaway - Yeshua isn’t condemning desire itself—he’s calling us to align our hearts with Torah, refusing to covet what is forbidden and walking in holiness by the Spirit.
Did Yeshua contradict Moses when He said, “love your enemies”? We show how Matthew 5:43–48 aligns with Exodus 23:4–5 and why Yeshua corrected tradition, not Torah. We also explain “be perfect” (teleios) as spiritual maturity and give practical steps to love enemies.
Scriptures (4–6):
Matthew 5:43–48; Exodus 23:4–5; Leviticus 19:18; Luke 6:27–28; Romans 5:10; Matthew 5:17
Takeaway (1–2 sentences):
Loving our enemies isn’t optional; it’s how we resemble our Father. Pray, greet, and help even those who oppose you—this is mature obedience.
Did the disciples of Messiah break the Sabbath when they plucked grains? Did Messiah indicate the Sabbath no longer mattered? Could he do whatever he wanted on the Sabbath because he was lord of the Sabbath as declared in the Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, and Luke 6:1-5 accounts?
