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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 23:25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/23-25.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/40_Mat_23_25.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 23:25 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! 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You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. <a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! <a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. <a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of greed and intemperance. <a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a> “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. <a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. <a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. <a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed). <a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence! <a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. <a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You Pharisees and teachers are show-offs, and you're in for trouble! You wash the outside of your cups and dishes, while inside there is nothing but greed and selfishness. <a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. <a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You clean the outside of cups and dishes. But inside they are full of greed and uncontrolled desires. <a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> "How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You clean the outside of your cup and plate, while the inside is full of what you have gotten by violence and selfishness. <a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> "How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but on the inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. <a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and unrighteousness. <a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a> "Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. <a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but within they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. <a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you wash clean the outside of the cup or dish, while within they are full of greed and self-indulgence. <a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a> “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you make clean the outside of the cup and the plate, and within they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of greed and intemperance. <a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye make clean the outside of the cup and the plate, and within they are full of rapine and incontinence. <a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup, and the side dish of sweet-meats, and within they are full of pillage and bad mixture.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you make clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within you are full of rapine and uncleanness. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you clean what is outside the cup and the dish, but on the inside you are full of avarice and impurity. <a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a> “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of extortion and iniquity. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, pretenders, who wash the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within are full of plunder and evil!<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and the plate; but within they are full of rapine and excess. <a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you purify the exterior of the cup and the plate, and within they are full of extortion and impurity.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup, and of the dish, but within they are full of rapacity and intemperance. <a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a> wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; for ye clean the outside of the cup, and of the plate, but within they are full of rapine and impurity. <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you wash clean the outside of the cup or dish, while within they are full of greed and self-indulgence. <a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish; but within they are full from extortion and excess!<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Wo unto you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites; for ye clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within they are full of rapine and intemperance:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/23-25.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6893" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a> …24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 25<a href="/greek/3759.htm" title="3759: Ouai (I) -- Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; woe.">Woe</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you,</a> <a href="/greek/1122.htm" title="1122: grammateis (N-VMP) -- From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.">scribes</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5330.htm" title="5330: Pharisaioi (N-VMP) -- Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.">Pharisees,</a> <a href="/greek/5273.htm" title="5273: hypokritai (N-VMP) -- From hupokrinomai; an actor under an assumed character, i.e. a dissembler">you hypocrites!</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/2511.htm" title="2511: katharizete (V-PIA-2P) -- To cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context. From katharos; to cleanse.">You clean</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1855.htm" title="1855: exōthen (Adv) -- (a) from outside, from without, (b) outside, both as adj. and prep; with article: the outside. From exo; external(-ly).">outside</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/4221.htm" title="4221: potēriou (N-GNS) -- A drinking cup, the contents of the cup; fig: the portion which God allots. ">cup</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3953.htm" title="3953: paropsidos (N-GFS) -- Prop: a dainty side-dish; meton: a plate, dish, platter. From para and the base of opsarion; a side-dish.">dish,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2081.htm" title="2081: esōthen (Adv) -- From eso; from inside; also used as equivalent to eso.">inside</a> <a href="/greek/1073.htm" title="1073: gemousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To be full of. A primary verb; to swell out, i.e. Be full.">they are full</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/724.htm" title="724: harpagēs (N-GFS) -- The act of plundering; plunder, spoil, robbery. From harpazo; pillage.">greed</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/192.htm" title="192: akrasias (N-GFS) -- Incontinence, intemperance (in wide sense), lack of restraint. From akrates; want of self-restraint.">self-indulgence.</a> 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Luke 11:39-41</a> Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. / You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well? / But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you. <a href="/mark/7-6.htm">Mark 7:6-8</a> Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ / You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.” <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a> Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. <a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Ezekiel 33:31</a> So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. <a href="/matthew/15-7.htm">Matthew 15:7-9</a> You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: / ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’” <a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a> But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” <a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">Psalm 51:6</a> Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. <a href="/jeremiah/4-14.htm">Jeremiah 4:14</a> Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you? <a href="/titus/1-15.htm">Titus 1:15-16</a> To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. / They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. <a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Romans 2:28-29</a> A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. <a href="/2_timothy/3-5.htm">2 Timothy 3:5</a> having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! <a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a> Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. <a href="/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26-27</a> If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. / Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. <a href="/1_peter/3-3.htm">1 Peter 3:3-4</a> Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a> “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.for.<a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19,20</a> For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: … <a href="/mark/7-4.htm">Mark 7:4</a> And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.<a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Luke 11:39,40</a> And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness… full.<a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">Isaiah 28:7,8</a> But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-9.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/matthew/12-44.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/matthew/20-23.htm">Cup</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/matthew/21-46.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/matthew/14-11.htm">Dish</a> <a href="/matthew/5-37.htm">Excess</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Extortion</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">False.</a> <a href="/matthew/22-22.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-27.htm">Greed</a> <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Hypocrites</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">Incontinence</a> <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/matthew/22-13.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/matthew/14-11.htm">Plate</a> <a href="/matthew/14-11.htm">Platter</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-13.htm">Rapacity</a> <a href="/nahum/3-1.htm">Rapine</a> <a href="/malachi/1-13.htm">Robbery</a> <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/james/5-5.htm">Self-Indulgence</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Teachers</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-1.htm">Uncontrolled</a> <a href="/matthew/20-13.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/matthew/22-6.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/matthew/15-2.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/matthew/23-21.htm">Within</a> <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/acts/19-40.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Cup</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Dish</a> <a href="/luke/12-45.htm">Excess</a> <a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Extortion</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">False.</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Full</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Greed</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Hypocrites</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">Incontinence</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Plate</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Platter</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-13.htm">Rapacity</a> <a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Rapine</a> <a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Robbery</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Self-Indulgence</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Teachers</a> <a href="/galatians/5-21.htm">Uncontrolled</a> <a href="/luke/13-27.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/matthew/28-2.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/matthew/23-26.htm">Within</a> <a href="/matthew/23-29.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div>1. <a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a> 34. <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This phrase is a direct rebuke from Jesus to the religious leaders of His time. The term "woe" is a strong expression of judgment and lament. The scribes and Pharisees were respected for their knowledge of the Law and their outward piety, yet Jesus calls them "hypocrites," indicating a discrepancy between their external actions and internal motives. This critique aligns with Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, who condemned similar hypocrisy (<a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>).You clean the outside of the cup and dish, Here, Jesus uses a metaphor to illustrate the Pharisees' focus on external purity and ritual cleanliness, which was a significant aspect of Jewish law (Leviticus 11). The imagery of cleaning the outside of a cup and dish suggests a superficial approach to righteousness, emphasizing appearance over genuine spiritual cleanliness. This reflects the cultural practices of the time, where ritual washing was common (<a href="/mark/7-3.htm">Mark 7:3-4</a>).but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. The "inside" of the cup and dish represents the inner life and heart condition of the Pharisees. Jesus accuses them of being filled with "greed and self-indulgence," highlighting their moral corruption and selfish desires. This internal state contradicts the outward appearance of holiness. The critique echoes the teachings of the prophets, such as Amos, who condemned social injustice and exploitation (<a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Amos 5:11-12</a>). The focus on internal purity is consistent with Jesus' broader teaching that true defilement comes from within (<a href="/matthew/15-18.htm">Matthew 15:18-20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, addressing the religious leaders of His time with a strong rebuke. 2. <a href="/topical/s/scribes.htm">Scribes</a> Jewish scholars and teachers of the Law, responsible for copying and interpreting the Scriptures. 3. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious sect known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions, often criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where Jesus delivered this discourse, a central place for Jewish worship and teaching. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_cup_and_dish.htm">The Cup and Dish</a> Metaphors used by Jesus to illustrate the contrast between outward appearance and inward reality.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/i/inner_purity_over_outward_appearance.htm">Inner Purity Over Outward Appearance</a> Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner purity over mere external compliance. True righteousness begins in the heart. <a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_as_a_spiritual_danger.htm">Hypocrisy as a Spiritual Danger</a> The Pharisees' focus on outward appearances serves as a warning against hypocrisy, which can lead to spiritual blindness and self-deception. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intentions.htm">The Role of Intentions</a> Our actions should stem from pure intentions and a heart aligned with God's will, rather than seeking approval from others. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a> Regular self-examination is crucial to ensure that our faith is genuine and not just a facade. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_authenticity.htm">The Call to Authenticity</a> Believers are called to live authentically, allowing their inner transformation by the Holy Spirit to reflect in their outward actions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_being_a_child_of_hell.htm">What defines being a child of hell?</a> <a href="/q/are_you_already_clean.htm">Are you already clean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'take_the_plank_out'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'whitewashed tombs'?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_secular_ethics_less_harmful.htm">Why does secular ethics outperform religious ethics in reducing harm?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(25) The outside of the cup and of the platter.--The latter word in the Greek indicates what we should call a "side-dish," as distinct from the "charger" of <a href="/matthew/14-11.htm" title="And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.">Matthew 14:11</a>. The "outside" includes the inner surface. (Comp., as regards the practice, <a href="/mark/7-4.htm" title="And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.">Mark 7:4</a>.)Are full of extortion and excess.--The two words point (1) to the source from which the viands and the wine came--the cup and the platter were filled with, or out of the proceeds of, extortion; (2) that to which they tended--they overflowed with unrestrained self-indulgence.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 25. - The sixth woe - against merely external purification (<a href="/mark/7-4.htm">Mark 7:4</a>; <a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Luke 11:39</a>). Ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter. Thus the Lord typically denotes the Pharisees' external ceremonialism, their legal purity. They looked, so to speak, to the cleanliness of the outside of the cup that contained their drink, and the platter that held their food. Such cleansing would, of course, have no effect on the drink or meat itself. They are full of (γέμουσιν ἐξ, are full from) extortion and excess (ἀκρασίας). For this last word the manuscripts offer many variations, arising, probably, from its uucommoness. It seems, however, to be genuine. But we find it altered into "unrighteousness," "impurity," Vulgate, immunditia, "intemperance," "covetousness," "wickedness." The vessels are conceived as filled with contents acquired by violence and used without self-control. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-25.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Woe Οὐαὶ (Ouai) Interjection <a href="/greek/strongs_3759.htm">Strong's 3759: </a> Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe'. to you, ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. scribes γραμματεῖς (grammateis) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1122.htm">Strong's 1122: </a> From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. Pharisees, Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5330.htm">Strong's 5330: </a> Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary. you hypocrites! ὑποκριταί (hypokritai) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5273.htm">Strong's 5273: </a> From hupokrinomai; an actor under an assumed character, i.e. a dissembler You clean καθαρίζετε (katharizete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2511.htm">Strong's 2511: </a> To cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context. From katharos; to cleanse. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. outside ἔξωθεν (exōthen) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_1855.htm">Strong's 1855: </a> (a) from outside, from without, (b) outside, both as adj. and prep; with article: the outside. From exo; external(-ly). of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. cup ποτηρίου (potēriou) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4221.htm">Strong's 4221: </a> A drinking cup, the contents of the cup; fig: the portion which God allots. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. dish, παροψίδος (paropsidos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3953.htm">Strong's 3953: </a> Prop: a dainty side-dish; meton: a plate, dish, platter. From para and the base of opsarion; a side-dish. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. inside ἔσωθεν (esōthen) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2081.htm">Strong's 2081: </a> From eso; from inside; also used as equivalent to eso. they are full γέμουσιν (gemousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1073.htm">Strong's 1073: </a> To be full of. A primary verb; to swell out, i.e. Be full. of ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. greed ἁρπαγῆς (harpagēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_724.htm">Strong's 724: </a> The act of plundering; plunder, spoil, robbery. From harpazo; pillage. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. self-indulgence. ἀκρασίας (akrasias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_192.htm">Strong's 192: </a> Incontinence, intemperance (in wide sense), lack of restraint. From akrates; want of self-restraint. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:25 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites! (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:26" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>