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 the gripping discourse of Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a striking set of woes aimed at the Scribes and Pharisees. These seven declarations highlight serious concerns about their hypocritical practices, steering people away from a genuine relationship with God. It's fascinating to see the differences when this account appears in Luke. The woes in Matthew are meticulously arranged, creating a comprehensive critique that seems almost like a playlist of pitfalls.

In contrast, Luke, often heralded for his emphasis on grace and inclusion, reframes the narrative unrolling it in a different part of his Gospel. The differences encourage readers to delve deep into the text, inviting contemplation about context, audience, and purpose behind these teachings.

Did you know that numerology plays an interesting role here? The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible. Might Jesus have carefully chosen this number to underline a full understanding of the shortcomings of certain leaders? Symbolically, it represents a corrective legislation about spiritual leadership.

Interestingly, historical facts show the social landscape during Jesus' time was buzzing with the push-and-pull of differing interpretations of Jewish law. This perpetual tension allows today’s readers to understand not just the woes of the past, but also to reflect on modern spiritual leadership and authenticity. After all, self-examination holds true value across eras, reminding us all to do a heart check on our own commitments to kindness, humility, and justice.