As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation. (Mark 12: 38-40)

Luke has an almost identical passage. But the critique by Jesus of scribes in Luke and Mark is mild compared to Matthew's treatment. There it becomes a powerful condemnation of self-righteousness and pride as the greatest of impediments to experiencing the reign of God.

Jesus was empathetic and forgiving of nearly every sin he encountered. Jesus would extravagantly welcome the one who had wandered. In many cases Jesus would actively search for the "lost sheep."

But self-righteousness is unforgiveable. Self-righteousness replaces the true God and true self with an idol of a false self and false god. The self-righteous must recognize this trap before God can help them escape.