The Meaning of Matthew 23:12 Explained

Matthew 23:12

KJV: And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

YLT: and whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Darby: And whoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

ASV: And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  whosoever  shall exalt  himself  shall be abased;  and  he  that shall humble  himself  shall be exalted. 

What does Matthew 23:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 23:1-12 - Humbling The Self-Exalted
These words were addressed to the disciples and the crowds that had gathered around. The Jewish religious leaders divorced morality and religion, and insisted that men should respect their office, whatever might be their personal character. The craving for this has been the temptation and bane of Christ's ministers in every age.
But how evidently our Lord condemns clerical and priestly assumption! With the two-edged sword, which pierces to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, He cuts between the professions and performances of these men. No more awful words were ever spoken! How true is Matthew 23:4! The hypocrite always spares himself, but is merciless in his demands on others. The true servant of God never exacts these titles as a rightful homage, or as indicating either superiority or special sanctity. We all have one Master and one Father; and, though our talents greatly differ, we stand on an absolute equality so far as saving grace is concerned. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 23

1  Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples
5  His disciples must beware of their ambition
13  He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,
34  and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem

Greek Commentary for Matthew 23:12

Exalt himself [υπσωσει εαυτον]
Somewhat like Matthew 18:4; Matthew 20:26. Given by Luke in other contexts (Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14). Characteristic of Christ. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 23:12

Matthew 18:4 This little child [το παιδιον τουτο]
This saying about humbling oneself Jesus repeated a number of times as for instance in Matthew 23:12. Probably Jesus pointed to the child by his side. The ninth-century story that the child was Ignatius is worthless. It is not that the child humbled himself, but that the child is humble from the nature of the case in relation to older persons. That is true, however “bumptious” the child himself may be. Bruce observes that to humble oneself is “the most difficult thing in the world for saint as for sinner.” [source]
Luke 14:11 Shall be humbled [ταπεινωτησεται]
First future passive. One of the repeated sayings of Jesus (Luke 18:14; Matthew 23:12). [source]
Philippians 2:9 Hath highly exalted [ὑπερύψωσεν]
Lit., exalted above. Compare Matthew 23:12. [source]
James 4:10 He shall exalt you [υπσωσει υμας]
Future active indicative of υπσοω — hupsoō common verb from υπσος — hupsos (height), used by Jesus in contrast with ταπεινοω — tapeinoō as here (Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14). [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 23:12 mean?

He who then shall exalt himself will be humbled and whoever shall humble will be exalted
Ὅστις δὲ ὑψώσει ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται καὶ ὅστις ταπεινώσει ὑψωθήσεται

Ὅστις  He  who 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅστις  
Sense: whoever, whatever, who.
ὑψώσει  shall  exalt 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ὑψόω  
Sense: to lift up on high, to exalt.
ἑαυτὸν  himself 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
ταπεινωθήσεται  will  be  humbled 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ταπεινόω  
Sense: to make low, bring low.
ὅστις  whoever 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅστις  
Sense: whoever, whatever, who.
ταπεινώσει  shall  humble 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ταπεινόω  
Sense: to make low, bring low.
ὑψωθήσεται  will  be  exalted 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ὑψόω  
Sense: to lift up on high, to exalt.