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Matthew 23:27

Matthew 23:27 in Multiple Translations

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity.

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.

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

A curse is on you, scribes and Pharisees, false ones! for you are like the resting-places of the dead, which are made white, and seem beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and of all unclean things.

What a disaster is coming on you religious teachers and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, looking good on the outside, but on the inside full of skeletons and all kinds of rottenness.

Wo be to you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye are like vnto whited tombes, which appeare beautifull outward, but are within full of dead mens bones, and all filthines.

'Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye are like to whitewashed sepulchres, which outwardly indeed do appear beautiful, and within are full of bones of dead men, and of all uncleanness;

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness.

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

Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you are like to whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones, and of all filthiness.

“You men who teach the Jewish laws and you Pharisees, your punishment will be terrible! You are hypocrites! You are like tombs [SIM] that are painted white so that people can see them and avoid touching them. The outside surfaces are beautiful, but inside they are full of dead people’s bones and filth.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 23:27

BAB
Word Study

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Matthew 23:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι παρομοιαζετε ταφοις κεκονιαμενοις οιτινες εξωθεν μεν φαινονται ωραιοι εσωθεν δε γεμουσιν οστεων νεκρων και πασης ακαθαρσιας
ουαι ouai G3759 woe! Interj
υμιν su G4771 you Pron-2DP
γραμματεις grammateus G1122 scribe Noun-VPM
και kai G2532 and Conj
φαρισαιοι Pharisaios G5330 Pharisee Noun-VPM
υποκριται hupokritēs G5273 hypocrite Noun-VPM
οτι hoti G3754 that/since: that Conj
παρομοιαζετε paromoiazō G3945 to resemble Verb-PAI-2P
ταφοις taphos G5028 grave Noun-DPM
κεκονιαμενοις koniaō G2867 to whitewash Verb-RPP-DPM
οιτινες hostis, hētis G3748 who/which Rel-NPM
εξωθεν exōthen G1855 outside Adv
μεν men G3303 on the other hand Particle
φαινονται phainō G5316 to shine/appear Verb-PEI-3P
ωραιοι hōraios G5611 Beautiful Adj-NPM
εσωθεν esōthen G2081 inwardly Adv
δε de G1161 then Conj
γεμουσιν gemō G1073 be full Verb-PAI-3P
οστεων osteon G3747 bone Noun-GPN
νεκρων nekros G3498 dead Adj-GPM
και kai G2532 and Conj
πασης pas G3956 all Adj-GSF
ακαθαρσιας akatharsia G167 impurity Noun-GSF
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 23:27

ουαι ouai G3759 "woe!" Interj
This Greek word means 'woe' or 'alas', expressing grief or sorrow, used by Jesus in Matthew 11:21 and Revelation 18:10. It's a strong warning of impending judgment. In the Bible, it's often used to lament or denounce someone's actions.
Definition: οὐαί interj. of grief or denunciation, [in LXX for הוֹי, etc. ;] alas! woe! most frequently with dative of person(s) Mat.11:21 23:14, Mrk.13:17 14:21, Luk.6:24-26 Ju 11, al.; with vocat. (nom.), Rev.18:10, 16 18:19 (cf. Isa.1:24, al.); with accusative, Rev.12:12, before ἐκ, Rev.8:13; with dative before ἀπό (see M, Pr., 246), Mat.18:7. As subst., 1Co.9:16 (cf. Jer.6:4); ἡ οὐ., Rev.9:12 11:14; pl., Rev.9:12; οὐ., οὐ., οὐ., Rev.8:13 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 36 NT verses. KJV: alas, woe See also: 1 Corinthians 9:16; Matthew 18:7; Revelation 8:13.
υμιν su G4771 "you" Pron-2DP
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
γραμματεις grammateus G1122 "scribe" Noun-VPM
A scribe is a scholar or teacher of the law, often referring to Jewish leaders who studied and taught the scriptures, as seen in Acts 19:35 and Luke 5:17. They were experts in biblical knowledge.
Definition: γραμματεύς, -έως (accusative pl., -εῖς, see Bl., §8, 2), ὁ (γράμμα), [in LXX always for שׁטר in Hex., elsewhere chiefly for ספר ;] __1. a secretary; γ. τ. πόλεως, a state-clerk: Act.19:35. __2. In π., of a military officer (Deiss., BS, 110f.). So Jdg.5:14, 4Ki.25:19 (ספר), al. __3. a scribe, a biblical scholar, teacher of the law (so first in I Est.8:3, II Est.7:6; in Luk.5:17, νομοδιδάσκαλος; in Luk.10:25, νομικός): Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, and frequently in Gosp. γ. καὶ ἀρχιερεῖς, Mat.2:4, and al.; γ. κ. Φαρισαῖοι, Mat.5:20, and al.; γ. μαθητευθεὶς τῇ βασιλείᾳ τ. οὐρ., Mat.13:52; ποῦ σοφός; ποῦ γ., 1Co.1:20 (Cremer, 167; DB, iv, 420, 800). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 67 NT verses. KJV: scribe, town-clerk See also: 1 Corinthians 1:20; Mark 11:27; Matthew 27:41.
και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
φαρισαιοι Pharisaios G5330 "Pharisee" Noun-VPM
A Pharisee was a member of a Jewish sect that followed strict religious rules, often mentioned in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 23:26 and Philippians 3:5.
Definition: Φαρισαῖος, -ου, ὁ (Aram. פְּרִישָׁא; see Dalman, Gr., 157.n, Words, 2.n), a Pharisee: Mat.23:26, Php.3:5; usually in pl., Mat.9:11, Mrk.2:18, al.; Φ. κ. γραμματεῖς, Mat.5:20, Mrk.2:16, Luk.5:21, al.; Φ. κ. Σαδδυκαῖοι, Mat.16:1, Act.23:6, 7 al.; ἀρχιερεῖς, Mat.21:45, Jhn.7:32, al. (see DB, iii, 826b). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 96 NT verses. KJV: Pharisee See also: Acts 5:34; Luke 16:14; Philippians 3:5.
υποκριται hupokritēs G5273 "hypocrite" Noun-VPM
A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be something they are not, like in Matthew 6:2. It is about being insincere. In the Bible, Jesus warns against being a hypocrite, saying that people should be honest and genuine in their words and actions.
Definition: ὑπο-κριτής, -οῦ, ὁ (ὑποκρίνομαι, which see) [in LXX Job.34:30 36:13 (חָנֵף) * ;] __1. one who answers, an interpreter (Plat.). __2. a stage player, actor (Plut., Xen., al.). Metaphorical (in LXX and NT), a pretender, dissembler, hypocrite: Mat.6:2, 5 6:16 7:5 15:7 22:18 23:13-15 24:51, Mrk.7:6 Luk.6:42 12:56 13:15.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 20 NT verses. KJV: hypocrite See also: Luke 6:42; Matthew 16:3; Matthew 24:51.
οτι hoti G3754 "that/since: that" Conj
This Greek word means 'that' or 'because', used to introduce a reason or explanation. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 3:9 and Romans 8:38. It helps to show cause and effect in sentences.
Definition: ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). __I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; __1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. __2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; __3. Untranslatable, before direct discourse (ὅτι recitantis): Mat.7:23, Mrk.2:16, Luk.1:61, Jhn.1:20, Act.15:1, Heb.11:18, al. (on the pleonastic ὡς ὅτι, see: ὡς). __II. As causal particle, for that, because: Mat.5:4-12, Luk.6:20, 21, J0 1:30 5:27, Act.1:5, 1Jn.4:18, Rev.3:10, al. mult.; διὰ τοῦτο ὅτι, Jhn.8:47 10:17, al.; answering a question (διὰ τί), Rom.9:32, al.; οὐκ ὅτι . . . ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι, Jhn.6:26 12:6. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1185 NT verses. KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; 1 John 5:2; 1 Peter 1:12.
παρομοιαζετε paromoiazō G3945 "to resemble" Verb-PAI-2P
This word means to resemble or be like something, often used to compare things. In Matthew 23:27, Jesus uses it to compare the Pharisees to whitewashed tombs. It shows similarity or likeness.
Definition: παρ-ομοιάζω to be like: with dative, Mat.23:27.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: be like unto See also: Matthew 23:27.
ταφοις taphos G5028 "grave" Noun-DPM
Means a grave or tomb, like the one mentioned in Matthew 23:27 and 27:61. It is the physical place where a person is buried.
Definition: τάφος, -ου, ὁ (θάντω), [in LXX chiefly for קֶבֶר ;] __1. a burial (Hom., al.). __2. a grave, tomb (Res., Hdt., al.): Mat.23:27, 29 27:61, 64 27:66 28:1, Rom.3:13" (LXX) .† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: sepulchre, tomb See also: Matthew 23:27; Matthew 27:64; Romans 3:13.
κεκονιαμενοις koniaō G2867 "to whitewash" Verb-RPP-DPM
This word means to whitewash or plaster something, often used to describe the practice of covering up tombs with a layer of white plaster, as seen in Matthew 23:27. It can also be used figuratively to describe hypocrisy.
Definition: κονιάω, -ῶ (κονία, dust, lime), [in LXX: Deu.27:2, 4 (שִׂיד), Pro.21:9 * ;] to plaster or whiten over: of tombs, Mat.23:27; figuratively, of a hypocrite, Act.23:3.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: whiten See also: Acts 23:3; Matthew 23:27.
οιτινες hostis, hētis G3748 "who/which" Rel-NPM
This word means 'who' or 'which' and is used to ask about someone or something's identity, like in Matthew 5:39. It's often used to make general statements.
Definition: ὅστις, ἥτις, ὅ τι (also written ὅ, τι and ὅτι; see LS, see word; WH, §411; Tdf., Pr., 111), in NT scarcely ever except in nom. (M, Pr., 91), the only instance of the oblique cases being found in ἕως ὅτου (see: ἕως), relative of indef. reference (related to simple ὅς as Lat. quisquis to qui), whoever, anyone who; __(a) of an indef. person or thing: in general statements, Mat.5:39, 41 13:12, and freq., Luk.14:27, Gal.5:4, al.; in relative sentences, Mat.7:26, Luk.15:7, Php.3:7, al.; πᾶς, with indic., Mat.7:24 10:32; ὅ ἄν (ἐάν), with subjc., Mat.12:50 13:12, Jhn.14:13, 1Co.16:2, Gal.5:10, al.; __(b) of a definite person or thing, indicating quality, "either generic, which, as other like things, or essential, which by its very nature" (Hort on 1Pe.2:11), who is such as: Mat.2:6 7:26, Luk.2:10 7:37, Jhn.8:53, Act.7:53, Rom.6:2, 1Co.3:17, Gal.4:24, Eph.1:23, al.; __(with) where the relative sentence expresses a reason, consequence, etc. (M, Pr., 92), seeing that he (it, they), and he (it, they): Luk.8:3 10:42, Act.10:47 11:28, Php.4:3, al.; __(d) as in Ionic and late Greek (Bl., §50, 1; M, Pr., l.with), differing but little from ὅς: Luk.2:4 9:30, Act.17:10, Rev.12:13. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 136 NT verses. KJV: X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:17; Luke 2:4; 1 Peter 2:11.
εξωθεν exōthen G1855 "outside" Adv
This word means outside or external, used to describe something coming from the outside in, like in Matthew 23:27. It can also refer to the outside world, as in 1 Peter 3:3.
Definition: ἔξωθεν adv. (ἔξω opposite to ἔσωθεν), [in LXX for חוּץ ;] __1. prop. (in answer to the question, Whence ?), from without: Mrk.7:18 __2. More often (= ἔξω; cf. Bl., § 25, 3), without: Mat.23:27-28 Mrk.7:18, 2Co.7:5; τὸ ἔ., Mat.23:25, Luk.11:39-40; οἱ ἔ., 1Ti.3:7, Mrk.4:11 (WH, mg.); ὁ ἔ. κόσμος, 1Pe.3:3; ἐκβάλλειν ἔ., Rev.11:2. As prep. with genitive: Mrk.7:15, Rev.11:1-19 4Ki.14:20 (cf. Robertson, Gr., 548).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: out(-side, -ward, - wardly), (from) without See also: 1 Peter 3:3; Mark 7:18; Revelation 5:1.
μεν men G3303 "on the other hand" Particle
This word means 'on the other hand' and is often used to contrast ideas. It appears in the New Testament, like in John and Romans, to show a difference between two things. It's usually translated as 'even' or 'indeed'.
Definition: μέν, conjunctive particle (originally a form of μήν), usually related to a following δέ or other adversative conjunction, and distinguishing the word or clause with which it stands from that which follows. It is generally untranslatable and is not nearly so frequent in NT as in cl. Like δέ, it never stands first in a clause. __1. Answered by δέ or some other particle: μὲν . . . δέ, indeed . . . but, Mat.3:11, Luk.3:16, al.; with pronouns, ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, one . . . another, Mat.21:35, al.; pl., Php.1:16, 17; ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δὲ . . . ὃ δέ, some . . . some . . . some, Mat.13:8; τοῦτο μὲν . . . τοῦτο δέ, partly . . . partly, Heb.10:33; μὲν . . . ἔπειτα, Jhn.11:6; μὲν . . . καί, Luk.8:5. __2. μέν solitarium, answered by no other particle: πρῶτον μέν (Bl., l.with), Rom.1:8 3:2, 1Co.11:18; μὲν οὖν in narrative, summing up what precedes or introducing something further (Bl., §78, 5), so then, rather, nay rather: Luk.11:28 (WH, μενοῦν), Act.1:6 9:31, al.; μὲν οὖν γε (Php.3:8, WH): see: μενοῦνγε. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 194 NT verses. KJV: even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; Hebrews 3:5; 1 Peter 1:20.
φαινονται phainō G5316 "to shine/appear" Verb-PEI-3P
This word means to shine or appear, and can be used literally or figuratively, as in John 1:5 and 2 Peter 1:19. It can also mean to bring something to light or make it visible, like in Matthew 2:7 and Hebrews 11:3.
Definition: φαίνω [in LXX for אוֹר hi., רָאָה ni., etc. ;] __I. Act., __1. to bring to light, cause to appear (so most frequently in cl.). __2. Absol., to give light, shine (Hom., Plat., al.): Jhn.1:5 5:35, 2Pe.1:19, 1Jn.2:8, Rev.1:16 8:12 18:23 21:23. __II. Pass., to come to light, appear, be manifest: Mat.2:7 13:26 24:27, 30, Luk.9:8, Php.2:15, Heb.11:3, 1Pe.4:18" (LXX) ; opposite to ἀφανίζεσθαι, Jhn.4:14; with dative of person(s) (Bl. § 54, 4), Mat.1:20 2:13, 19 Mrk.16:9; with nom. pred., Mat.23:27-28, Rom.7:13, 2Co.13:7; id. with dative of person(s), Mat.6:5, 16 6:18 (before nom. ptcp., but not as in cl.; see Bl., § 73, 4); impers., Mat.9:33; of the mind and judgment (= δοκεῖ, which see), Mrk.14:64 (cf. I Est.2:21), Luk.24:11.† SYN.: see: δοκέω (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 31 NT verses. KJV: appear, seem, be seen, shine, X think See also: 1 John 2:8; Matthew 2:19; 1 Peter 4:18.
ωραιοι hōraios G5611 "Beautiful" Adj-NPM
Beautiful or flourishing, like in Matthew 23:27 where Jesus describes the scribes and Pharisees as beautiful on the outside. It means something is pleasing to look at or timely.
Definition: ὡραῖος, -α, -ον (ὥρα), [in LXX for נָאָה, טוֹב, יָפָה, etc. ;] seasonable, timely, esp. of ripe fruits; hence, blooming, beautiful (both of things and persons): Mat.23:27, Act.3:2, 10, Rom.10:15 (LXX, ὥρα).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: beautiful See also: Acts 3:2; Matthew 23:27; Romans 10:15.
εσωθεν esōthen G2081 "inwardly" Adv
Inwardly means from the inside out, like when thoughts or feelings come from within a person. This word is used in Mark 7:21 and Luke 11:7 to describe where evil thoughts originate. It is about what is happening inside someone.
Definition: ἔσωθεν (ἔσω), adv., [in LXX for בַּיִת, פָּנִים and cognate forms ;] __1. from within: Mrk.7:21, 23, Luk.11:7. __2. within: Mat.7:15 23:25-28, 2Co.7:5, Rev.4:8 5:1; τὸ ἔ., Luk.11:40; id. with genitive, Luk.11:39.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: inward(-ly), (from) within, without See also: 2 Corinthians 4:16; Mark 7:23; Revelation 4:8.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
γεμουσιν gemō G1073 "be full" Verb-PAI-3P
To be full, like a ship or a heart, as described in Matthew 23:27 and Luke 11:39.
Definition: γέμω (used only in present and impf.), [in LXX for מלא, נשׂא ;] to be full; __1. properly, of a ship (Xen.). __2. Generally (Plat., al.), __(a) with genitive of thing(s): Mat.23:27, Luk.11:39, Rom.3:14" (LXX), Rev.4:6, 8 5:8 15:7 17:3 (Rec.) 4 21:9 __(b) before ἐκ: Mat.23:25; __(with) with accusative of thing(s) (called a solecism in WM, 251; Bl., §36, 4), as in later Gk. from Byz. to Mod. times (Jannaris, Gr., 1319): Rev.17:3. † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: be full See also: Luke 11:39; Revelation 5:8; Revelation 4:6.
οστεων osteon G3747 "bone" Noun-GPN
This word means 'bone' and is used in the Bible to talk about the human body, like in Matthew 23:27 and John 19:36. It refers to a part of the skeleton.
Definition: ὀστέον (Att.. contr. ὀστοῦν, -οῦ, and so Jo, l.with), -ου, τό [in LXX chiefly for עֶצֶם ;] a bone: contr., ὀστοῦν (see supr.), Jhn.19:36 (LXX); uncontr. (as in Hom., Hdt.), ὀστέα, Luk.24:39; ὀστέων, Mat.23:27, Heb.11:22.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: bone See also: Ephesians 5:30; John 19:36; Hebrews 11:22.
νεκρων nekros G3498 "dead" Adj-GPM
The Greek word for dead, meaning something or someone is lifeless, either physically or spiritually, as seen in Matthew 28:4 and Revelation 1:18.
Definition: νεκρός, -α, -ον, [in LXX chiefly for מֵת ;] dead, __I. as adj., __1. prop.: Act.5:10 20:9, Jas.2:26, Rev.1:18, al.; ὡσεὶ ν., Mat.28:4, Mrk.9:26, Rev.1:17; of that which is subject to death, Rom.8:10. __2. Metaphorical, __(a) of persons: Luk.15:24, 32; of those immersed in worldly cares, Mat.8:22, Luk.9:60; of spiritual death, Jhn.5:25, Rom.6:13, Eph.5:14, Rev.3:1; τ. παραπτώμασιν, Eph.2:1, 5 Col.2:13; of the opposite condition, ν. τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, Rom.6:11; __(b) of things regarded as inoperative, devoid of power: ἁμαρτία, Rom.7:8; πίστις, Jas.2:17, 26; ἔργα, Heb.6:1 9:14. __II. As subst., νεκρός, ὁ (Hom., al.), chiefly in pl. (οἱ) ν., the dead: Mat.11:5, Mrk.12:26, Luk.20:37, 1Co.15:15, al.; ἀνάστασις (τ.) νεκρῶν, Mat.22:31, Act.17:32, al.; ν. . . . ζῶντες, Mat.22:32, Mrk.12:27, Act.10:42, al.; ἀπὸ νεκρῶν, Luk.16:30; ἐκ ν., Mrk.6:14, Luk.24:46, Jhn.12:1, Act.13:34, Rom.10:7, al.; πρωτότοκος ἐκ τῶν ν., Col.1:18; ζωὴ ἐκ ν., Rom.11:15; constr. praegn., ἐκ ν. ζῶντες, Rom.6:13. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 122 NT verses. KJV: dead See also: 1 Corinthians 15:12; John 12:17; 1 Peter 1:3.
και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
πασης pas G3956 "all" Adj-GSF
This word means all or every, as in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 7:8, where it refers to everything or all people, emphasizing the universal nature of God's message.
Definition: πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, genitive, παντός, πάσης, παντός, [in LXX chiefly for כֹּל ;] all, every. __I. As adj., __1. with subst. anarth., all, every, of every kind: Mat.3:10 4:23, Mrk.9:49, Luk.4:37, Jhn.2:1o, Act.27:20, Rom.7:8, Rev.18:17, al. mult.; pl., all, Act.22:15, Rom.5:12, Heb.1:6, al.; of the highest degree, π. ἐξουσία (προθυμία, χαρά), Mat.28:18, Act.17:11, Phi 2:29, al.; also the whole (though in this sense more frequently with art.), Mat.2:3, Act.2:36, Rom.11:26. __2. C. art. (before the art., after the noun, or, denoting totality, between the art. and noun), all, whole: Mat.8:32 13:2, Mrk.5:33, Luk.1:10, Act.7:14, Rom.3:19, Gal.5:14, Eph.4:16, al.; pl., Mat.2:4, Mrk.4:13, Rom.1:5, al. __II. As pron., __1. masc. and fem., every one: Mrk.9:49, Luk.16:16, Heb.2:9; before rel. pron., Mat.7:24, Act.2:21, Gal.3:10, al.; with ptcp. (anarth.), Mat.13:19, Luk.11:4; with ptcp. (with art.), Mat.5:22, Mrk.7:8, Luk.6:47, Jhn.3:8, Rom.1:16, al.; pl., πάντες, absol., all, all men, Mat.10:22, Mrk.13:13, Luk.20:38, Jhn.1:7 3:26, 1Co.8:1, al.; οἱ π. (collectively, as a definite whole), Rom.11:32, 1Co.1:17, Eph.4:13, al.; π. οἱ (ὅσοι), Mat.4:24, Mrk.1:32, Luk.4:40, al. __2. Neut., __(a) sing., πᾶν, everything, all: πᾶν τό, with ptcp., 1Co.10:25, 27, Eph.5:13, 1Jn.2:16 5:4 (sc. ὄν); πᾶν ὅ, Jhn.17:2, Rom.14:23; collectively, of persons (Westc., in l.), Jhn.6:37, 39; with prep., in adverbial phrases, διὰ παντός, always, Mat.18:10, al.; ἐν παντί, in everything, in every way, 2Co.4:8, Phi 4:6, al.; __(b) pl., πάτνα, all things: absol., Jhn.1:3, 1Co.2:10, Heb.2:8, al.; of certain specified things, Mrk.4:34, Luk.1:3, Rom.8:28, 1Th.5:21, al.; accusative, πάντα, adverbially, wholly, in all things, in all respects, Act.20:35, 1Co.9:25, al.; with art., τὰ π., all things (a totality, as distinct from anarth. πάντα, all things severally; cf. Westc, Eph., 186f.), absol.: Rom.11:36, 1Co.8:6, Eph.3:9, Heb.1:3, al.; relatively, Mrk.4:11, Act.17:25, Rom.8:32, al.; πάντα, with ptcp., Mat.18:31, al.; πάντα ταῦτα (ταῦτα π.), Mat.6:32, 33, al.; πάντα, with prep, in adverbial phrases, πρὸ πάντων, above all things, Jas.5:12, 1Pe.4:8; ἐν π́, in all things, in all ways, 1Ti.3:11, 1Pe.4:11, al.; κατὰ πάντα, in all respects, Act.17:22, al. __3. C. neg., πᾶς οὐ (μή) = οὐδείς, see: οὐ and μή, and cf. M, Pr., 245f. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1080 NT verses. KJV: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 1:15.
ακαθαρσιας akatharsia G167 "impurity" Noun-GSF
The Greek word for impurity refers to something being unclean, either physically or morally. In the New Testament, it appears in passages like Matthew 23:27 and Romans 1:24. This concept is also seen in 2 Corinthians 12:21 and Galatians 5:19.
Definition: ἀκαθαρσία, -ας, ἡ (ἀκάθαρτος), [in LXX chiefly for טֻמְאָה, טָמֵא ;] uncleanness, impurity, __(a) physical (MM, VGT, see word): Mat.23:27; __(b) moral: Rom.1:24 6:19, 2Co.12:21, Gal.5:19, Eph.4:19 5:3, Col.3:5, 1Th.2:3 4:7. † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: uncleanness See also: 1 Thessalonians 2:3; Ephesians 5:3; Romans 1:24.

Study Notes — Matthew 23:27

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Luke 11:44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.”
2 Acts 23:3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”
3 Numbers 19:16 Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.
4 Isaiah 58:1–2 “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.”

Matthew 23:27 Summary

[Jesus is saying that some people, like the scribes and Pharisees, look good on the outside but are actually full of sin and corruption on the inside, like a tomb that has been cleaned up but still has dead bodies inside (Matthew 23:27). This means that it's not just about looking good or doing the right things, but about having a heart that is truly pure and righteous, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:8 and 1 Samuel 16:7. We should focus on being genuine and authentic in our faith, rather than just trying to look good to others, and remember that God sees our hearts and knows our true motivations (1 Corinthians 4:5).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jesus mean by 'whitewashed tombs' in Matthew 23:27?

Jesus is using a powerful metaphor to describe the scribes and Pharisees as appearing beautiful on the outside, but being full of corruption and sin on the inside, much like a tomb that has been cleaned and painted on the outside but still contains dead bodies and impurities (Matthew 23:27, Luke 11:44).

Is Jesus condemning all outward forms of righteousness?

No, Jesus is not condemning outward displays of righteousness, but rather the hypocrisy of those who appear righteous on the outside but are sinful on the inside, as seen in Matthew 23:25-26 where He criticizes the Pharisees for cleaning the outside of the cup but not the inside.

How does this verse relate to our lives today?

This verse reminds us that true righteousness comes from the inside out, and that we should not focus solely on outward appearances, but rather on the condition of our hearts, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:18-19 and Luke 6:45.

What is the significance of 'dead men's bones and every kind of impurity' in this verse?

The 'dead men's bones and every kind of impurity' represent the spiritual decay and corruption that can exist within a person, even if they appear righteous on the outside, highlighting the need for inner transformation and cleansing, as seen in Ezekiel 36:26 and 2 Corinthians 7:1.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I may be like the 'whitewashed tombs' in my own life, appearing righteous on the outside but struggling with sin on the inside?
  2. How can I ensure that my outward actions and words are a genuine reflection of my inner heart and motivations?
  3. What are some areas of my life where I may be focusing too much on outward appearances, and how can I shift my focus to inner transformation and righteousness?
  4. How can I cultivate a deeper sense of humility and recognition of my own sinfulness, in order to avoid the hypocrisy that Jesus condemns in this verse?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 23:27

Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,.... It is much these men could bear to hear themselves so often called by this name; and it shows great courage in our Lord, so freely to reprove them,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 23:27

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 Poole's Commentary on Matthew 23:27

See Poole on "".

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 23:27

27 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. Ver. 27. Ye are like unto whited sepulchres] The Jews had their vaults or caves for burial. These the wealthier sort would paint, garnish, beautify at the mouth or entrance of them. And hereunto our Saviour alludeth, Intus Nero, foris Cato: loquitur hic ut Piso, vivit ut Gallomus, &c. It was said of the Sarmatians, that all their virtue was outward; and of Sejanus, that he had only a semblance of honesty, Intus summa adipiscendi libido, within he was full of extortion and excess. Hypocrites seem as glowworms, to have both light and heat; but touch them, and they have neither. The Egyptian temples were beautiful on the outside, when within ye should find nothing but some serpent or crocodile. Apothecaries’ boxes often have goodly titles, when yet they hold not one dram of any good drug. A certain stranger coming on embassy unto the senators of Rome, and colouring his hoary hair and pale cheeks with vermilion hue, a grave senator espying the deceit, stood up, and said, "What sincerity are we to expect from this man’ s hands, whose locks, and looks, and lips do lie?" Think the same of all painted hypocrites. These we may compare (as Lucian doth his Grecians) to a fair gilt bossed book; look within it, and there is the tragedy of Thyestes; or perhaps Arrius’ Thalya; the name of a muse, the matter heresy: or Conradus Vorstius’ book monster, that hath De Deo Concerning God, in the front, but atheism and blasphemy in the text. Omnis Sarmatarum virtus extra ipsos. Tac. i. 10. Palam compositus pudor, &c. Tac.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 23:27

(27) Ye are like unto whited sepulchres.—Contact with a sepulchre brought with it ceremonial uncleanness, and all burial-places were accordingly white-washed once a year, on the 15th day of the month Adar—i.e., about the beginning of March—that passers-by might be warned by them, as they were of the approach of a leper by his cry, “Unclean, unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45). The word translated “whited,” means literally, “smeared with lime powder”—i.e., “whitewashed,” in the modern technical sense of the word. It should be noticed that the similitude in Luke 11:44 is drawn from the graves that were not whitened, or from which the whitewash had been worn away, and over which men passed without knowing of their contact with corruption. Some have thought, indeed, that this passage also refers to graves which had lost the coat of whitewash, and were “beautiful with grass and flowers.” It seems hardly likely, however, that the perfect participle would be used to describe such a state of things, and it is more probable, looking to the date above given, that our Lord pointed to some tombs that were shining in their new whiteness.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 23:27

Verse 27. For ye are like] παρομοιαζετε, ye exactly resemble - the parallel is complete. Whited sepulchres] White-washed tombs. As the law considered those unclean who had touched any thing belonging to the dead, the Jews took care to have their tombs white-washed each year, that, being easily discovered, they might be consequently avoided.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 23:27

27. like unto whited sepulchres] In Luke the comparison is to “graves that appear not,” by walking over which men unconsciously defile themselves. To avoid this ceremonial defilement the Jews carefully whitewashed the graves or marked them with chalk on a fixed day every year—the fifteenth of Adar. The custom still exists in the East. One of the spiteful devices of the Samaritans against the Jews was to remove the whitewash from sepulchres in order that the Jews might be contaminated by walking over them.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 23:27

Like unto whited sepulchres - For the construction of sepulchres, see the notes at Matthew 8:28.

Sermons on Matthew 23:27

SermonDescription
Carter Conlon Covering the Face of Jesus by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and grace of God in transforming lives. He speaks about the future kingdom where there will be no more sorrow, tears, or sighing.
Zac Poonen (Basics) 59. Hypocrisy by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker discusses the parable of the ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom. Externally, all ten virgins appeared the same, wearing white dresses and going
Vance Havner David's New Car - Part 1 by Vance Havner In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of David and the Ark of the Covenant. He emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in carrying out the Lord's work, contr
Don McClure All by Faith by Don McClure In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a personal experience with his wife and a can of beans to illustrate a larger point about the nature of relationships. He emphasizes that re
Art Katz The Law and the Commandments by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with the authentic root of one's life in God before delivering a message. He compares this to athletes who war
Zac Poonen (Basics) 37. Jesus Valued All People by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of balancing grace and truth in our lives, using the example of Jesus as the perfect model. He compares the need for bones in
Chuck Smith (Through the Bible) John 18-19 by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the significance of Jesus' statement "it is finished" on the cross. He explains that this declaration signifies the completion of God's work

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