Matthew 23 25

Matthew 23:25 kjv

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.

Matthew 23:25 nkjv

"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.

Matthew 23:25 niv

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Matthew 23:25 esv

"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.

Matthew 23:25 nlt

"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!

Matthew 23 verses

Matthew 23 25 Meaning

Matthew 23:25 delivers one of Jesus' pronouncements of "woe" against the religious leaders of His day, specifically the scribes and Pharisees. It denounces their spiritual hypocrisy: meticulously adhering to external religious practices and appearances, while their inner character is defiled by avarice, exploitation, and moral depravity. The imagery of cleaning the outside of a cup and plate, yet leaving their interiors unclean, vividly illustrates this deceptive pretense of piety that conceals profound inner corruption. The verse calls for integrity, emphasizing that God looks beyond outward show to the condition of the heart.

Matthew 23 25 Context

Matthew 23 records Jesus' final and most severe public condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees, the religious authorities of His time. This chapter is marked by seven "woes" (Lk has eight in a parallel passage, but Matthew groups seven here), pronouncements of judgment. Leading up to this verse, Jesus has already denounced their love of recognition, their hypocrisy in burdening others while doing nothing themselves, and their emphasis on oaths. Verse 25 fits into this sustained indictment, specifically targeting their emphasis on ritualistic external purity (often applying priestly cleanness laws to everyday life and objects) while neglecting genuine inward moral and spiritual transformation. It is a critical polemic against a superficial religiosity that values appearance over reality and legalistic adherence over a sincere heart.

Matthew 23 25 Word analysis

• Woe (οὐαί - ouai): An exclamation expressing profound grief, lament, and condemnation. It indicates impending judgment and a grave state of affairs. This is not simply a warning but a solemn pronouncement of impending doom or great trouble upon those addressed.
• to you: Direct, personal address to the identified groups, intensifying the accusation.
• scribes (γραμματεῖς - grammateis) and Pharisees (Φαρισαῖοι - Pharisaios): The prominent Jewish religious leaders. Scribes were legal experts and interpreters of the Mosaic Law; Pharisees were a distinct sect known for their strict observance of both the written Law and oral traditions (which they considered divinely revealed).
• hypocrites (ὑποκριταί - hypokritai): From Greek theatrical usage, meaning "an actor" or "one who wears a mask." It describes someone who pretends to be something they are not, concealing their true character behind a facade of piety or righteousness. This is the core of Jesus' critique against them.
• For: Introduces the justification for the "woe," explaining why they are being condemned.
• you clean (καθαρίζετε - katharizete) the outside (ἔξωθεν - exōthen): Refers to physical, external purification or ceremonial washing. They meticulously ensure the outward appearance of cleanliness, conforming to ritual standards.
• of the cup (ποτηρίου - potēriou) and of the plate (τῆς παροψίδος - tēs paropsidos): Common household eating vessels. By using these everyday items, Jesus underscores that their hypocrisy pervaded their daily lives, not just ceremonial occasions or the Temple. They maintained a public image of purity.
• but (ἀλλά - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, highlighting the stark contrast.
• inside (ἔσωθεν - esōthen) they are full (γέμουσιν - gemousin): Refers to the internal, spiritual condition of their hearts and minds. "Full" implies overflowing, thoroughly saturated, indicating that the inner corruption is not partial but pervasive.
• of greed (ἁρπαγῆς - harpagēs): Literally means "robbery," "plundering," "extortion," or "rapacity." It denotes a grasping, predatory desire for wealth or gain, often obtained unjustly or violently.
• and self-indulgence (ἀκρασίας - akrasias): Lacking self-control, intemperance, dissoluteness, profligacy. It describes an uncontrolled indulgence of desires and appetites, living without restraint, often associated with luxurious living or moral licentiousness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!": This opening establishes the confrontational tone and the nature of the accusation. Jesus, as divine authority, declares a grave judgment upon the most esteemed religious leaders, stripping away their revered titles and exposing their core identity as pretenders.
• "For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate": This highlights their diligence in external ritual adherence and image management. They are masters of outward show, fulfilling surface-level requirements. The domestic imagery makes this critique highly relatable and impactful; it applies to their everyday lives.
• "but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence": This phrase directly contrasts the carefully crafted external image with the hidden, inner reality. Their spiritual "cup" and "plate" – representing their character and true motives – are polluted with moral corruption, not ceremonial uncleanness. "Full of" indicates saturation; these vices consume their core being, flowing out from within.

Matthew 23 25 Bonus section

The progressive nature of the "woes" in Matthew 23 builds a comprehensive case against hypocrisy. While Matthew 23:25 specifically addresses greed and self-indulgence, the surrounding verses denounce other aspects of their superficiality: their love of prominent seats (v. 6), their burdening others (v. 4), and their closing the kingdom of heaven (v. 13). This "woe" implies that their ceremonial observances were often directly related to their avarice, perhaps making them feel righteous even as they oppressed the poor or exploited the temple system. The emphasis on "greed" (ἁρπαγῆς) could imply extortion or taking advantage, reflecting deeper systemic issues within their leadership. The self-indulgence (ἀκρασίας) speaks to a moral laxity often unseen but fundamentally contrary to true godliness, perhaps fueled by the ill-gotten gains. This verse is not just a moral critique but a theological one: outward rituals without inward righteousness render worship an offense to God. It highlights the foundational New Covenant principle that transformation is primarily a work of the Spirit from the heart, leading to outward obedience (cf. Rom 12:2; Ezek 36:26-27).

Matthew 23 25 Commentary

Matthew 23:25 serves as a scathing critique of religious superficiality and a powerful call for authentic inward transformation. Jesus unveils the severe spiritual bankruptcy of the scribes and Pharisees, who prioritized ceremonial washings and external purity laws to project an image of righteousness, yet neglected the state of their hearts. The chosen imagery of the "cup and plate" is poignant, representing not just specific rituals but the entire domain of daily life and moral character. Their "inside" — their motives, desires, and true spiritual condition — was utterly corrupted by "greed," signifying illicit gain and exploitation, and "self-indulgence," indicating an unchecked pursuit of sensual desires and unrestrained appetites.

This verse clarifies that genuine righteousness is not about outward performance or adhering to traditions that cover moral depravity. God is concerned with the inner person, the true self, from which all actions flow. It is a profound indictment of any faith that lacks moral substance and replaces the Spirit's transformation with mere religious observances. For all believers, this warning underscores the danger of external religiosity (attending church, performing rituals, using pious language) that masks an unrepentant heart clinging to avarice, uncontrolled desires, or any hidden sin. It challenges believers to cultivate a faith of integrity where the inward condition genuinely aligns with outward confession. The only way to truly clean the cup is from the inside out, through repentance, purification by God's Word, and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Examples:

• A church leader who publicly champions generosity but secretly mismanages funds for personal gain.
• Someone who strictly adheres to dietary or clothing religious rules but privately engages in gossip and envy.
• A believer who appears devout on Sunday but is driven by selfish ambition and dishonest practices throughout the week.