Pharisees and Teachers of the Law
Category: Failure of sincerity & truth
Could endure: Teach God’s law faithfully, lead people to righteousness.
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you.” (Matthew 23:2–3a)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Malachi 2:7.
Chose wrongly: Hypocrisy, outward show without inward holiness.
“They do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:3b)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 29:13; Romans 2:23–24.
Endured (negatively): Woe and judgment.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:27)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 6:13–15; Matthew 15:7–9.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, greed, desire for honor.
“Everything they do is done for people to see.” (Matthew 23:5)
Cross-Refs: Luke 16:15; Galatians 1:10.
Result: Left desolate.
“Look, your house is left to you desolate.” (Matthew 23:38)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 12:7; Luke 19:41–44.
Judas Iscariot
Category: Failure of loyalty
Could endure: Remain faithful as a disciple.
*“Follow me,” Jesus told them. (Matthew 4:19 — original call)
Cross-Refs: John 6:70; John 12:26.
Chose wrongly: Betrayed Jesus for money.
“What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you? So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 26:15)
Cross-Refs: Zechariah 11:12–13; John 13:27.
Endured (negatively): Guilt, despair, suicide.
“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:5)
Cross-Refs: Acts 1:18–19; Psalm 41:9.
Why (wrong motive): Greed, disillusionment.
“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10 — principle)
Cross-Refs: John 12:6; James 1:14–15.
Result: Lost apostleship, replaced by another.
“His place let another take.” (Acts 1:20, quoting Psalm 109:8)
Cross-Refs: Acts 1:25; John 17:12.
Pontius Pilate
Category: Failure of courage
Could endure: Uphold justice and release the innocent.
“For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.” (Matthew 27:18)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 23:7; Luke 23:4.
Chose wrongly: Washed hands, handed Jesus to be crucified.
“When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere… he washed his hands… ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood.’” (Matthew 27:24)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 27:25; John 19:12–16.
Endured (negatively): Compromise and guilt.
“All the people answered, ‘His blood is on us and on our children!’ Then he released Barabbas to them.” (Matthew 27:25–26)
Cross-Refs: Acts 3:13–15; 1 Timothy 6:13.
Why (wrong motive): Fear of crowd, political pressure.
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas.” (Mark 15:15, parallel)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 29:25; John 19:12.
Result: Remembered for cowardice and injustice.
“You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.” (Acts 3:14)
Cross-Refs: Revelation 21:8; Matthew 25:41.
Unbelieving Crowds
Category: Failure of faith
Could endure: Receive Christ as King.
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 118:26; John 12:13.
Chose wrongly: Shouted for His crucifixion.
“All the people answered, ‘His blood is on us and on our children!’” (Matthew 27:25)
Cross-Refs: John 19:15; Acts 3:14.
Endured (negatively): Fell under judgment.
“Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.” (Matthew 23:36)
Cross-Refs: Luke 19:41–44; 1 Thessalonians 2:15–16.
Why (wrong motive): Fickle loyalty, swayed by leaders.
“But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.” (Matthew 27:20)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 23:2; Galatians 1:10.
Result: Jerusalem destroyed in 70 AD.
“Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:2)
Cross-Refs: Luke 21:20–24; Daniel 9:26.