- Home
- Bible
- Matthew
- Chapter 23
- Verse 23
Matthew 23:27
Verse
Context
Woes to Scribes and Pharisees
26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.27Woe 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.28In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like whited sepulchres--or, whitewashed sepulchres. (Compare Act 23:3). The process of whitewashing the sepulchres, as LIGHTFOOT says, was performed on a certain day every year, not for ceremonial cleansing, but., as the following words seem rather to imply, to beautify them. which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness--What a powerful way of conveying the charge, that with all their fair show their hearts were full of corruption! (Compare Psa 5:9; Rom 3:13). But our Lord, stripping off the figure, next holds up their iniquity in naked colors. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets--that is "ye be witnesses that ye have inherited, and voluntarily served yourselves heirs to, the truth-hating, prophet-killing, spirit of your fathers." Out of pretended respect and honor, they repaired and beautified the sepulchres of the prophets, and with whining hypocrisy said, "If we had been in their days, how differently should we have treated these prophets?" While all the time they were witnesses to themselves that they were the children of them that killed the prophets, convicting themselves daily of as exact a resemblance in spirit and character to the very classes over whose deeds they pretended to mourn, as child to parent. In Luk 11:44 our Lord gives another turn to this figure of a grave: "Ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them." As one might unconsciously walk over a grave concealed from view, and thus contract ceremonial defilement, so the plausible exterior of the Pharisees kept people from perceiving the pollution they contracted frown coming in contact with such corrupt characters.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous,.... By making broad their phylacteries, enlarging the borders of their garments, praying long prayers, compassing sea and land to make one proselyte, paying tithes of all manner of herbs, and cleansing the outside of the cup and platter, and doing all their works, prayers, fastings, and alms deeds, to be seen of men. This is the accommodation of the above simile; by reason of these things they looked like whited sepulchres, outwardly beautiful: so these appeared outwardly righteous, they looked like righteous persons, and were not; they were what Hagar, as the Jews say, charged her mistress with being; for so they interpret these words, "her mistress was despised in her eyes", Gen 16:4 (b), "She said, this Sarah is not secretly, what she is openly; she appears , "as if she was righteous" and she is not righteous. The same they say of (c) Leah. This was a misrepresentation; but the representation Christ gives of these men, is right; they were of that sort of the Pharisees, which they call "the dyed", or "coloured" ones: it is said of Jannai the king, that he should say to those of his family (d), "Do not be afraid of them that are Pharisees, (that are truly so,) nor of them that are not Pharisees; but of them that are, "dyed", for they are like to Pharisees; for their works are as the works of Zimri, (adulterers, as these were,) and they expect the reward as Phinehas. The gloss upon it is, "the Pharisees hated him, because he had slain many of their wise men, and was turned Sadducee; and when he was dying, his wife was afraid of them, lest they should take away the kingdom from her sons, and she desired him to seek their favour for her; but he said unto her, do not be afraid of the Pharisees, for they are "righteous", and will not render evil to thee, nor to thy sons; for they have not sinned against them; nor of them that are not Pharisees, for they are their friends; but of "the dyed ones": as if he had said, their appearance is not according to their nature, but they are dyed without, , "and their inside is not as their outside": for their works are as the work of Zimri, for they are ungodly; and they expect the reward as Phinehas, saying to men, to honour them as Phinehas. But this outward show and appearance of righteousness, was only "unto men", not unto God: they did not appear so to him, who is the searcher of hearts, and knows what is in man, and knew all the secret wickedness that was in them; for though they imposed upon, and deceived men, they could not deceive God; nor was their iniquity hid from Christ, who adds, "but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity": and which was evident from their ambition and vain glory, in desiring the uppermost rooms at feasts, the chief places in the synagogue, greetings in the markets, and titles of honour and grandeur; from their avarice and cruel oppression of the widows, and fatherless, under a pretence of long prayers; from their neglecting the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith, and practising extortion and excess: that saying of their's (e), may be applied to themselves, "every disciple of a wise man, , "whose inside is not as his outside", is no disciple of a wise man. And it is expressly ascribed by some of their writers to one sort of the Pharisees, of whom they say (f), "they are desirous to appear to men to be holy, but their inside is not as their outside; which is much the same Christ here says of them. What our Lord charges these men with, is owned by their own doctors; they say (g), that "the iniquity of those that were under the first temple, was open and manifest, but the iniquity of those that were under the second temple, was not open. But as the gloss says, "the children of the second temple, , "were secretly wicked". (b) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 45. fol. 40. 3. Jarchi in Gert. xvi. 4. (c) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 71. fol. 63. 2. (d) T. Bab. Sota, fol. 22. 2. (e) T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 72. 2. (f) Bartenora in Misn. Sota, c. 3. sect. 4. (g) T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 9. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:27-28 It was a Jewish custom to coat limestone tombs (perhaps funerary urns or ossuaries) with a mixture of marble and lime to fill their porous surfaces, giving them a more pleasing appearance and helping visitors to Jerusalem to notice the graves and avoid touching them so as not to contaminate themselves. Jesus is not criticizing the adorning of tombs; rather, he points to the similarity between these whitewashed tombs and the teachers of religious law and Pharisees. Both may have looked good on the outside, but both were contaminated and impure within.
Matthew 23:27
Woes to Scribes and Pharisees
26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.27Woe 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.28In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Covering the Face of Jesus
By Carter Conlon3.6K56:41CommitmentMAT 5:39MAT 6:33MAT 23:27MRK 14:60LUK 6:22ACT 2:37In 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. The preacher also addresses the experience of facing sudden violence and betrayal, even from those who claim to know Christ. He highlights the importance of living a righteous life and trusting in God's judgment. The sermon concludes with the assurance that God will ultimately swallow up death and bring victory, despite its presence in various aspects of life.
(Basics) 59. Hypocrisy
By Zac Poonen2.8K12:27MAT 23:13MAT 23:23MAT 23:25MAT 23:27MAT 23:29In 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 to meet the bridegroom. However, internally, there was a significant difference. Five of the virgins had extra oil to keep their lamps burning, while the other five did not. The speaker emphasizes that an external life alone does not prepare us for meeting the Lord when He comes. Jesus detested hypocrisy and condemned those who honored Him with their lips but had hearts far from Him. The speaker also mentions the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who were punished for their hypocrisy in pretending to be dedicated to the Lord. The sermon concludes with the reminder that hypocrisy is what Jesus hates more than anything else.
David's New Car - Part 1
By Vance Havner2.8K31:16David2SA 6:1EZK 37:1MAT 5:13MAT 6:33MAT 7:24MAT 23:27ACT 2:42In 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, contrasting it with the impersonal nature of relying on machines and technology. The speaker also criticizes the church for borrowing ideas and techniques from the world instead of seeking guidance from God. He highlights the significance of the local church and encourages listeners to focus on their own spiritual growth and involvement in their communities.
The Law and the Commandments
By Art Katz2.7K54:13The LawPRO 23:26MAT 5:48MAT 6:33MAT 23:27ROM 10:191CO 11:1JAS 2:10In 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 warm up and prepare before a competition, highlighting the need for preparation and authenticity in preaching. The speaker warns against becoming professional and affected in one's delivery, urging pastors to remain natural and unaffected in their communication. He also criticizes the unreality and fantasy prevalent in both the world and the church, calling for a return to truth and a rejection of consumerism and entertainment.
(Basics) 37. Jesus Valued All People
By Zac Poonen2.5K13:06MAT 6:33MAT 23:27MAT 23:33JHN 1:141CO 13:1EPH 4:15EPH 5:2In 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 our physical bodies to the need for balance in our spiritual lives. The speaker highlights the significance of loving and valuing all people, regardless of their social status or appearance, as they are made in the image of God. He emphasizes Jesus' love for humanity, which led him to willingly sacrifice his life to free people from sin. This love gave Jesus the authority to speak against sin with conviction.
(Through the Bible) John 18-19
By Chuck Smith1.7K1:28:49MAT 5:7MAT 23:23MAT 23:27MAT 23:37JHN 18:1GAL 6:1In 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 of redemption for humanity through Jesus' sacrifice. The speaker emphasizes that there is nothing we can add to this finished work through our own good deeds, and that our acceptance by God comes solely through receiving Jesus' finished work. The sermon also touches on the importance of knowing and studying God's Word, and concludes with a reminder of God's love and the need for believers to show mercy and forgiveness to others.
Three Dangerous Leavens
By Zac Poonen1.5K59:45MAT 23:27This sermon emphasizes the dangers of worldliness, unbelief, and legalism within the church. It warns against the leaven of the Pharisees, which includes hypocrisy and legalism, highlighting the importance of humility, grace, and faith in God's wisdom, power, and love. The message urges listeners to avoid self-righteousness, judgmental attitudes, and the trap of legalism, emphasizing the need for genuine faith and a heart surrendered to God.
A Word to the Critical Heart
By Shane Idleman83612:09MAT 23:271CO 11:3This sermon addresses the issue of critical hearts within the church, emphasizing the dangers of being led by the flesh rather than the spirit, which often leads to a critical and judgmental attitude. It highlights the importance of infusing God's truth with love and humility to truly impact hearts and avoid becoming obnoxious in our convictions. The message warns against being proud, unteachable, and eager to dispute, as these are characteristics of a critical spirit that lacks God's presence.
Religious People, Stiff Necked and Angry
By Shane Idleman5691:00:25MAT 3:8MAT 23:27MRK 8:34ACT 2:38ACT 7:441CO 1:18GAL 5:22EPH 5:18JAS 4:7JAS 4:10This sermon addresses the issue of religious people being stiff-necked and angry, emphasizing the difference between religion and relationship with God. It highlights the need to surrender to God, repent of sin, and embrace a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, humility, and the power of the cross is emphasized to overcome anger and religious legalism.
The Answer to Godliness
By K.P. Yohannan0True GodlinessRelationship With ChristMAT 23:27JHN 15:5K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that true godliness is not merely about outward appearances or following a checklist of spiritual practices, likening it to apples tied to a tree that ultimately rot and reveal their falsehood. He warns against the Pharisaical mindset of being right in doctrine while lacking genuine connection with God, highlighting that true spirituality must stem from a relationship with Christ. The sermon calls for believers to recognize that godliness is not a formula but the embodiment of Christ's life within us, urging a deeper reliance on Jesus rather than mere performance.
The Godly Man's Picture
By Thomas Watson0HypocrisyTrue GodlinessMAT 23:27Thomas Watson presents a vivid portrayal of a godly man, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith over mere outward appearances. He warns against hypocrisy, likening it to whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful but are filled with decay inside. Watson stresses that true godliness is rooted in the heart, characterized by a sincere love for Christ and a commitment to holiness, humility, and the rejection of sin. He encourages believers to continually seek God's grace and to be vigilant against the temptations of the world, ultimately highlighting that a godly man is one who strives to reflect God's character in every aspect of life.
When We Give the Devil the Kernel
By Thomas Brooks0Integrity in WorshipHeartfelt ObediencePRO 23:26MAT 23:27ROM 6:17Thomas Brooks emphasizes the necessity of heartfelt obedience to Christ, asserting that true Christian obedience must come from the heart to be acceptable to God. He contrasts the genuine devotion of believers with the empty rituals of the Pharisees, who performed outwardly but lacked sincerity within. Brooks reminds us that God desires our hearts and will not accept mere external actions devoid of integrity. The heart, being the true seat of affection, must be engaged in our service to God, as He values what flows from a sincere heart. Ultimately, we must not offer God the shell of obedience while giving the devil the kernel of our true devotion.
Wallowed in Sin Like Swine in the Mire
By Thomas Brooks0Self-DeceptionTrue HolinessPRO 30:12MAT 23:27Thomas Brooks emphasizes the danger of self-deception in his sermon 'Wallowed in Sin Like Swine in the Mire,' warning that many people consider themselves pure while being deeply entrenched in sin. He cites Proverbs 30:12 to illustrate that those who are filthy in heart and actions often maintain a facade of holiness, believing in their own goodness despite their moral decay. Brooks argues that true holiness is essential for a genuine relationship with God, and that those who live in contradiction to their claims of righteousness will ultimately face shame. The sermon serves as a call to self-examination and repentance, urging believers to seek true purity rather than a false sense of righteousness.
An Atheist at Home
By Thomas Brooks0HypocrisyAuthentic FaithMAT 23:27Thomas Brooks emphasizes the danger of hypocrisy in the Christian life, warning that those who outwardly display a religious facade to gain respect while living like an atheist in their private lives will ultimately be exposed by God. He stresses that true faith must be consistent both publicly and privately, as God sees all and will reveal the true nature of one's heart. The sermon serves as a call to authenticity in one's relationship with God, urging believers to align their inner lives with their outward expressions of faith.
Unlovely Religious People
By A.W. Tozer0True ReligionInward SinMAT 23:27A.W. Tozer addresses the issue of unlovely religious people, emphasizing that the sins of the spirit are more severe than those of the body. He illustrates how Jesus was a friend to publicans and harlots while opposing the Pharisees, highlighting that religious individuals often harbor inward sins that are more insidious. Tozer points out that while careless sinners may express their sins outwardly, religious sinners tend to conceal their iniquities, leading to a compressed state of moral tension. This inward sinfulness contributes to the unloveliness observed in many who practice religion without true heart transformation. Ultimately, all sin is fatal to the soul unless forgiven and cleansed.
The Inner Man (If the King Is to Live in Your Heart, It Must Be Strengthened and Filled With love.)
By Hans R. Waldvogel0Indwelling ChristInner TransformationPRO 4:23MAT 23:27JHN 7:38EPH 1:15EPH 3:14Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the necessity of strengthening the inner man to prepare our hearts for Christ's indwelling. He draws a parallel between the condition of a hotel in Yugoslavia and our hearts, urging believers to guard their hearts diligently so that they can be fit for the King. Waldvogel warns against being satisfied with outward appearances, as true spirituality must come from within, where Christ can dwell and fill us with His love. He encourages the congregation to seek inner transformation through faith and to rejoice in the Lord, which leads to the restoration of the inner man. Ultimately, he reminds us that God desires to strengthen us with His Spirit, filling us with His fullness.
Pharisees Are Hypocrites
By Zac Poonen01SA 16:7PRO 21:2MAT 6:2MAT 23:27LUK 12:1JAS 1:22Zac Poonen warns about the danger of hypocrisy, comparing it to the leaven of the Pharisees. He explains that the term 'hypocrite' originates from the Greek word for 'actor', highlighting how some people put on a show of holiness in public but live differently in private. Poonen emphasizes that many hypocrites can be found in churches, where they act pious on Sundays but lead ungodly lives during the week, engaging in negative behaviors like complaining, grumbling, gossiping, and quarreling.
The Life of Christ, for Family Devotions - June
By F. L. Mortimer0MAT 23:27LUK 11:46LUK 11:52Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the exposure of the wickedness of the Scribes and Pharisees by Jesus, highlighting their hypocrisy, burdening others with difficult requirements while not practicing them themselves, and honoring the dead prophets while persecuting the living ones. Jesus condemns their outward show of piety while lacking true righteousness in their hearts, warning them of the judgment to come for their deceitful practices and unrepentant hearts.
The Life of Christ, for Family Devotions - September
By F. L. Mortimer0EXO 22:22EZK 22:18DAN 12:3MAL 3:2MAT 23:13MAT 23:271CO 4:72CO 12:14EPH 4:2COL 1:27F. L. Mortimer preaches a powerful sermon denouncing the hypocrisy and pride of the Pharisees, warning against false teachings and the dangers of seeking worldly recognition over genuine piety. Through various woes, Christ exposes the sins of the Pharisees, highlighting their love of money, deceitful practices, and neglect of true righteousness. The sermon emphasizes the importance of genuine love for God and others, humility, and sincerity in worship, contrasting the righteous with the hypocritical. It serves as a solemn reminder to examine our hearts, motives, and actions, ensuring they align with God's truth and righteousness.
The Church of England
By J.C. Philpot0PRO 3:5ISA 5:20MAT 23:27JHN 8:322CO 6:14GAL 1:102TI 2:15JAS 4:41JN 2:15J.C. Philpot addresses the question of whether the Church of England, despite its acknowledged benefits, does more harm than good to the nation. He criticizes the Church for hindering improvements like education by imposing its doctrines and exerting unfair influence through persecution and favoritism. Philpot highlights the deep-rooted attachment of some to the Church, contrasting it with dissenters who see its errors and corruption. He also discusses the challenges faced by ministers within the Church, urging those with a burdened conscience to seek counsel from the Lord for guidance.
John 9:39 to End. Christ Accuses the Pharisees of Willful Blindness.
By Favell Lee Mortimer0MAT 23:27MRK 8:18LUK 2:34JHN 9:39JHN 9:41Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about Jesus coming into the world for both salvation and judgment, revealing the hearts of people through their response to Him. The outcast who recognized his sinfulness and need for a Savior was saved, while the proud Pharisees who rejected Jesus remained blind to the truth. Those who willfully shut their eyes to the light of Christ and claim to see will face severe consequences, with their eyes being sealed in darkness.
Luke 16:14-18. Christ Rebukes the Pharisees Who Derided Him.
By Favell Lee Mortimer0PSA 51:10PRO 15:10JER 17:9MAL 2:14MAT 23:27Favell Lee Mortimer delivers a powerful sermon on the Pharisees' aversion to reproof, exposing their hypocrisy in professing love for God while hating His law and committing grave sins. Mortimer emphasizes the importance of allowing the truth to penetrate our hearts, even when it is uncomfortable, as it is better to confront our sins now than face God's judgment later. The sermon highlights the significance of having a genuine, transformed heart washed in the blood of Christ, rather than relying on outward appearances or false professions of religion to deceive others and God.
Luke 9:37-44. Christ Exposes the Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees.
By Favell Lee Mortimer0MAT 23:27Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the Pharisees' desire for human honor over God's praise, highlighting their outward display of religious acts while neglecting secret duties and true love for God. He compares them to cups clean on the outside but full of corruption inside, and graves covered with grass but containing dead men's bones. Mortimer emphasizes the importance of seeking God's approval rather than the admiration of men, as true happiness and worthiness come from humility and recognizing our unworthiness before God.
The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry
By Gilbert Tennent0MAT 23:27MRK 6:34JHN 10:1ROM 10:141CO 12:312CO 11:141TH 5:212TI 2:2Gilbert Tennent preaches about the importance of having faithful ministers who are true shepherds to the flock, contrasting them with ungodly ministers who are like Pharisees, focusing on pride, policy, malice, ignorance, covetousness, and bigotry. He emphasizes the need for compassion towards those who lack faithful ministry, urging prayers for God to send forth faithful laborers. Tennent encourages seeking greater spiritual nourishment and growth by choosing to hear from ministers who provide edification, even if it means going beyond one's parish. He warns against the dangers and unprofitableness of following unconverted ministers, highlighting the importance of discernment and the duty to seek true spiritual guidance.
Purgatory Pickpocket
By Ian Paisley0MAT 23:27JHN 14:6EPH 2:81JN 1:7REV 14:13Ian Paisley preaches against the concept of Purgatory, emphasizing that all sins are forgiven through the sacrifice of Christ, and there is no need for human merit to purge sins. He highlights the danger of replacing Scripture and the Spirit with the teachings of the Vatican, warning that compounding errors leads to death and destruction. Paisley urges Roman Catholic readers to understand that true forgiveness comes from confessing sins and accepting the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, as stated in 1 John 1:7-9.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like whited sepulchres--or, whitewashed sepulchres. (Compare Act 23:3). The process of whitewashing the sepulchres, as LIGHTFOOT says, was performed on a certain day every year, not for ceremonial cleansing, but., as the following words seem rather to imply, to beautify them. which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness--What a powerful way of conveying the charge, that with all their fair show their hearts were full of corruption! (Compare Psa 5:9; Rom 3:13). But our Lord, stripping off the figure, next holds up their iniquity in naked colors. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets--that is "ye be witnesses that ye have inherited, and voluntarily served yourselves heirs to, the truth-hating, prophet-killing, spirit of your fathers." Out of pretended respect and honor, they repaired and beautified the sepulchres of the prophets, and with whining hypocrisy said, "If we had been in their days, how differently should we have treated these prophets?" While all the time they were witnesses to themselves that they were the children of them that killed the prophets, convicting themselves daily of as exact a resemblance in spirit and character to the very classes over whose deeds they pretended to mourn, as child to parent. In Luk 11:44 our Lord gives another turn to this figure of a grave: "Ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them." As one might unconsciously walk over a grave concealed from view, and thus contract ceremonial defilement, so the plausible exterior of the Pharisees kept people from perceiving the pollution they contracted frown coming in contact with such corrupt characters.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous,.... By making broad their phylacteries, enlarging the borders of their garments, praying long prayers, compassing sea and land to make one proselyte, paying tithes of all manner of herbs, and cleansing the outside of the cup and platter, and doing all their works, prayers, fastings, and alms deeds, to be seen of men. This is the accommodation of the above simile; by reason of these things they looked like whited sepulchres, outwardly beautiful: so these appeared outwardly righteous, they looked like righteous persons, and were not; they were what Hagar, as the Jews say, charged her mistress with being; for so they interpret these words, "her mistress was despised in her eyes", Gen 16:4 (b), "She said, this Sarah is not secretly, what she is openly; she appears , "as if she was righteous" and she is not righteous. The same they say of (c) Leah. This was a misrepresentation; but the representation Christ gives of these men, is right; they were of that sort of the Pharisees, which they call "the dyed", or "coloured" ones: it is said of Jannai the king, that he should say to those of his family (d), "Do not be afraid of them that are Pharisees, (that are truly so,) nor of them that are not Pharisees; but of them that are, "dyed", for they are like to Pharisees; for their works are as the works of Zimri, (adulterers, as these were,) and they expect the reward as Phinehas. The gloss upon it is, "the Pharisees hated him, because he had slain many of their wise men, and was turned Sadducee; and when he was dying, his wife was afraid of them, lest they should take away the kingdom from her sons, and she desired him to seek their favour for her; but he said unto her, do not be afraid of the Pharisees, for they are "righteous", and will not render evil to thee, nor to thy sons; for they have not sinned against them; nor of them that are not Pharisees, for they are their friends; but of "the dyed ones": as if he had said, their appearance is not according to their nature, but they are dyed without, , "and their inside is not as their outside": for their works are as the work of Zimri, for they are ungodly; and they expect the reward as Phinehas, saying to men, to honour them as Phinehas. But this outward show and appearance of righteousness, was only "unto men", not unto God: they did not appear so to him, who is the searcher of hearts, and knows what is in man, and knew all the secret wickedness that was in them; for though they imposed upon, and deceived men, they could not deceive God; nor was their iniquity hid from Christ, who adds, "but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity": and which was evident from their ambition and vain glory, in desiring the uppermost rooms at feasts, the chief places in the synagogue, greetings in the markets, and titles of honour and grandeur; from their avarice and cruel oppression of the widows, and fatherless, under a pretence of long prayers; from their neglecting the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith, and practising extortion and excess: that saying of their's (e), may be applied to themselves, "every disciple of a wise man, , "whose inside is not as his outside", is no disciple of a wise man. And it is expressly ascribed by some of their writers to one sort of the Pharisees, of whom they say (f), "they are desirous to appear to men to be holy, but their inside is not as their outside; which is much the same Christ here says of them. What our Lord charges these men with, is owned by their own doctors; they say (g), that "the iniquity of those that were under the first temple, was open and manifest, but the iniquity of those that were under the second temple, was not open. But as the gloss says, "the children of the second temple, , "were secretly wicked". (b) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 45. fol. 40. 3. Jarchi in Gert. xvi. 4. (c) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 71. fol. 63. 2. (d) T. Bab. Sota, fol. 22. 2. (e) T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 72. 2. (f) Bartenora in Misn. Sota, c. 3. sect. 4. (g) T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 9. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:27-28 It was a Jewish custom to coat limestone tombs (perhaps funerary urns or ossuaries) with a mixture of marble and lime to fill their porous surfaces, giving them a more pleasing appearance and helping visitors to Jerusalem to notice the graves and avoid touching them so as not to contaminate themselves. Jesus is not criticizing the adorning of tombs; rather, he points to the similarity between these whitewashed tombs and the teachers of religious law and Pharisees. Both may have looked good on the outside, but both were contaminated and impure within.