Bible Strands
Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the crowds and his disciples while delivering his final public rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem. He speaks immediately after defining true greatness as servanthood and immediately before pronouncing woe on those who shut the kingdom against others.
The words — The Greek verb ὑψώσει (hupsōsei) translates literally as "will exalt," while ταπεινώσει (tapeinōsei) translates literally as "will humble." These terms establish the reciprocal mechanism of self-elevation versus voluntary lowliness.
The thread — The same reversal appears in Luke 14:11 as a parallel teaching, in James 4:6 regarding God’s opposition to the proud and grace to the humble, and in 1 Peter 5:5 concerning mutual submission and humility.
Why it lands — The text declares that self-promotion guarantees divine reversal while voluntary lowliness guarantees divine elevation. A reader must abandon the pursuit of religious status and accept servanthood as the only path to true standing.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- James 4:6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
- Matthew 18:4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
- Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.