Matthew 23 27

Matthew 23:27 kjv

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Matthew 23:27 nkjv

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.

Matthew 23:27 niv

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.

Matthew 23:27 esv

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.

Matthew 23:27 nlt

"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs ? beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity.

Matthew 23 verses

Matthew 23 27 Meaning

Matthew 23:27 is part of Jesus' severe condemnation, known as the "Seven Woes," directed at the scribes and Pharisees for their deep-seated hypocrisy. He vividly likens them to "whitewashed tombs," which, though outwardly appearing attractive and pure, are inwardly filled with ritually defiling remains—dead people's bones and all forms of uncleanness. This powerful metaphor underscores that despite their outward show of meticulous religious observance, piety, and apparent righteousness, their hearts and inner lives were corrupt, filled with spiritual death, pride, and sin, making them a source of spiritual defilement rather than a source of genuine purity or life for others.

Matthew 23 27 Context

Matthew chapter 23 contains Jesus' culminating public address in Jerusalem shortly before His crucifixion, characterized by a scathing denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees. This discourse directly follows their public confrontations with Jesus and His pronouncements of judgment against their unbelief (Matthew 21-22). The "Woes" (Matthew 23:13-36) are a series of pronounced judgments exposing the religious leaders' profound spiritual bankruptcy, despite their respected position and apparent authority. Verse 27 specifically targets their hypocrisy using a potent cultural and legal metaphor. Historically, under Jewish religious law (Torah), contact with a dead body or grave resulted in ritual impurity (Numbers 19:16), requiring ceremonial cleansing. Consequently, before festivals like Passover, tombs in public areas were often whitewashed (plastered with lime) to make them clearly visible and prevent accidental contact, thereby ensuring pilgrims remained ritually pure. Jesus, in Matthew 23:27, ingeniously flips this practice: He accuses the very religious leaders, who diligently avoided outward impurity, of being the ultimate source of spiritual defilement themselves, deceptively appearing clean but filled with internal decay and spiritual death.

Matthew 23 27 Word analysis

• Woe (οὐαί - ouai): This is a profound interjection, not merely a warning, but an exclamation of severe sorrow, distress, and condemnation. It signifies an impending judgment and profound lament for those addressed.

• Scribes (γραμματεῖς - grammateis): Refers to learned professionals, adept in writing and interpreting the Jewish Law (Torah). They were educators, lawyers, and experts in religious tradition, holding considerable societal and religious influence.

• Pharisees (Φαρισαῖοι - Pharisaios): A dominant Jewish religious movement characterized by their strict and zealous adherence to the written Mosaic Law and their extensive oral traditions. Their name, possibly meaning "separated ones," denoted their commitment to ritual purity and distinctiveness.

• Hypocrites (ὑποκριταί - hypokritai): Originally referring to stage actors or performers. Jesus employs this term to denounce individuals who pretend to be virtuous or righteous, putting on a religious facade while their true inner character or motives are hidden and corrupt.

• Whitewashed tombs (τάφοις κεκονιαμένοις - taphois kekoniaménois): This vivid and highly contextual metaphor describes graves plastered with white lime. This was a common practice, especially before Passover, to make tombs conspicuous, preventing accidental contact, which would cause ritual defilement. The irony lies in something meant to indicate ritual safety becoming a symbol of hidden spiritual danger.

• Outwardly (ἔξωθεν - exōthen): Denotes the external appearance, behavior, and public display of the scribes and Pharisees, how they were perceived by others.

• Appear beautiful (φαίνεσθε ὡραῖοι - phainesthe hōraioi): This indicates that they present themselves as outwardly splendid, attractive, and righteous, meticulously following religious rituals to impress.

• Within (ἔσωθεν - esōthen): Refers to the inner being, heart, true spiritual condition, motives, and character, which were concealed from public view.

• Full of dead people's bones (ὀστέων νεκρῶν - osteōn nekrōn): This points to the physical contents of a grave. In Jewish law (Num 19:11-16), contact with a corpse or bones rendered a person ritually unclean for a prolonged period. This metaphor powerfully conveys extreme spiritual defilement.

• And all uncleanness (πάσης ἀκαθαρσίας - pasēs akatharsias): An encompassing phrase that signifies every imaginable form of ritual, moral, and spiritual impurity or defilement. It extends beyond literal bones to include spiritual decay, corruption, greed, malice, and unrighteousness of heart.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!": This opening statement is an authoritative, direct, and uncompromising condemnation from Jesus. The immediate labeling of them as "hypocrites" exposes the fundamental deceit that underpins their entire religious practice, setting the stage for the analogy that follows.
  • "For you are like whitewashed tombs": This phrase immediately introduces the central, damning analogy, leveraging a culturally recognizable image. It instantly communicates the concept of a hidden, profound contrast between an inviting exterior and a repulsive interior.
  • "which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness": This is the core of Jesus' indictment, meticulously detailing the contrast. It starkly illustrates the profound disparity between the seemingly pure and impressive religious facade of the scribes and Pharisees and the extreme spiritual decay, death, and defilement that actually characterized their inner lives and hearts.

Matthew 23 27 Bonus section

The severe nature of Jesus' "Woe" in this verse indicates not only His displeasure but also His deep sorrow over the lost spiritual condition of those meant to guide Israel. The use of "whitewashed tombs" suggests that their leadership, despite appearing legitimate and pure, was actually leading people toward spiritual death by promoting a superficial righteousness. Their outer shell of religion not only concealed their own corruption but also subtly passed it on, as others might mimic their outward forms without internal transformation. This passage is a call for continuous self-reflection and authentic discipleship, reminding believers that the state of the heart—its motives, desires, and true allegiance—is what ultimately matters to God. It highlights the biblical principle that spiritual truth and power flow from genuine inner life, not from human-constructed religious displays or systems.

Matthew 23 27 Commentary

Matthew 23:27 serves as a piercing accusation against religious hypocrisy. Jesus, with potent and culturally resonant imagery, exposes the stark contrast between the external display of piety by the scribes and Pharisees and their internal spiritual corruption. Their elaborate rituals and meticulous outward obedience to the Law masked hearts filled with pride, self-righteousness, and spiritual decay, much like a tomb carefully whitened to prevent defilement on the outside, yet filled with decay and death within. The irony is poignant: what was meant to prevent ritual uncleanness paradoxically symbolizes the religious leaders as agents of spiritual defilement themselves. This verse is a timeless reminder that true faith prioritizes inner purity and integrity, which stem from genuine devotion to God and love for others, over mere external performance. It warns against a religiosity that seeks human applause rather than divine approval. For instance, engaging in prayer or acts of service not out of genuine love for God or neighbor, but to appear righteous to others, falls squarely within this condemnation.