The answer is: Seven

Matt 23 - In Luke there are only six, but they do not occur at the same point in the narrative. v14 isn't present in older manuscripts so there are considered to be seven woes and not eight

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus points the finger with intensity, unleashing a series of seven “woes” against the Scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23). This impassioned section not only serves as criticism of their legalism but also highlights the importance of genuine faith over hollow rituals. Matthew catalogs these admonitions mainly to establish a moral baseline for his audience, emphasizing that outward appearances do not cut it if the inner conviction is lacking.

Interestingly, the differences in the number of woes between Matthew and Luke shows how each Gospel writer tailored his narrative for his specific audience, focusing on different aspects of the same story. Remember, number symbolism plays a role: seven is often perceived as a number of completeness in the Bible, a nod that entirety of Israel’s spiritual leaders had failed to maintain their covenant between pristine appearances and genuine behavior.

Did you know that later Christian commentary, in contemplating these woes, led to some thinkers taking stylistic cues from them? Wow, that just feeds into the thematic notion of professed righteousness leading to hypocrisy, which is echoed throughout historical contexts! Engaging with such themes encourages communities today to examine their spiritual practices critically and ensures they align their actions with their values. Yet, this remains relevant; people of all eras grapple with the authentic versus the superficial in their faith journeys.