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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {G3759} unto you {G5213}, scribes {G1122} and {G2532} Pharisees {G5330}, hypocrites {G5273}! for {G3754} ye make clean {G2511} the outside {G1855} of the cup {G4221} and {G2532} of the platter {G3953}, but {G1161} within {G2081} they are full {G1073} of {G1537} extortion {G724} and {G2532} excess {G192}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Woe to you hypocritical Torah-teachers and P'rushim! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self indulgence.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 23:25 delivers a scathing denunciation from Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees, exposing their profound spiritual hypocrisy. Christ employs the vivid metaphor of a cup and platter meticulously cleaned on the exterior, yet internally defiled by "extortion and excess." This verse encapsulates Jesus's condemnation of their superficial piety, highlighting their meticulous adherence to outward religious rituals while neglecting the true righteousness and moral integrity of the heart. It serves as a powerful indictment of those who prioritize external appearance over genuine inner transformation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus's final and most intense public confrontation with the religious leaders in Jerusalem, documented in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). Following His triumphal entry and teachings in the temple, Jesus unleashes a series of seven or eight "woes" upon the scribes and Pharisees, each beginning with "Woe to you." These pronouncements serve as a climactic indictment of their spiritual blindness, legalism, and hypocrisy, contrasting sharply with His earlier teachings on true righteousness found in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "Matthew 5-7 - The Sermon on the Mount"). The immediate preceding verses (Matthew 23:23-24) condemn their tithing of insignificant herbs while neglecting "the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness," further emphasizing their misplaced priorities and external focus. This particular woe (Matthew 23:25-26) specifically targets their obsession with ceremonial cleanliness without corresponding inner purity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scribes and Pharisees were the dominant religious authorities and interpreters of the Law in first-century Judaism. They were highly respected by the populace for their meticulous observance of the Mosaic Law and the oral traditions that had accumulated around it. Ritual purity was paramount in Jewish life, influencing everything from diet to social interaction. The washing of hands, cups, and platters was a common practice, often elevated to a religious duty (cf. [Mark 7:3-4](/mark/7-3-4 "Mark 7:3-4 - Pharisaic Traditions of Washing")). However, Jesus's critique here is not against the practice itself but against the *motive* and *limitation* of their purity. Their focus on the external allowed them to maintain a public facade of holiness while their private lives and hearts were corrupted by greed, exploitation, and a lack of moral restraint. This cultural emphasis on outward appearance created a fertile ground for the hypocrisy Jesus so vehemently condemned.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 23:25 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and broader biblical theology. The most prominent theme is the **unveiling of hypocrisy**, a recurring motif in Jesus's ministry. He consistently challenged those who presented a righteous exterior but harbored corrupt hearts, as seen in His teachings on prayer, fasting, and giving alms in [Matthew 6](/matthew/6 "Matthew 6 - True Righteousness"). This verse also highlights the critical distinction between **outward ritual and inward righteousness**. While the Pharisees meticulously cleaned the "outside of the cup," Jesus consistently emphasized that true defilement originates from within the heart, as articulated in [Matthew 15:18-19](/matthew/15-18-19 "Matthew 15:18-19 - What Defiles a Person"). The terms "extortion and excess" further underscore the theme of **spiritual corruption and moral decay**, revealing the true character of those whose religious practices were devoid of genuine transformation and love for God and neighbor.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** This is a primary exclamation of grief, lament, and often, condemnation. It is not merely an expression of sorrow but a solemn declaration of impending judgment or dire consequences. In this context, Jesus uses it as a prophetic warning and an indictment against the scribes and Pharisees, signifying their spiritual peril and the divine displeasure with their actions.
* **Hypocrites (Greek, _hypokritḗs'_):** Derived from a word meaning "an actor under an assumed character" or "stage-player," this term perfectly captures the essence of the scribes and Pharisees' pretense. They presented a false image of piety and righteousness to the public, wearing a "mask" of godliness, while their true character and motives were entirely different, characterized by self-interest and moral corruption. Jesus uses this term to expose their two-faced nature and spiritual deceit.
* **Extortion (Greek, _harpagḗ'_):** This term refers to pillage, plunder, or robbery, often implying taking by force or seizing greedily. In the context of the Pharisees, it points to their covetousness and exploitative practices, suggesting they gained wealth or advantage through unjust means, perhaps by leveraging their religious authority or legalistic interpretations. It reveals a deep-seated greed and disregard for justice that contradicted their outward show of righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!":** Jesus begins with a powerful, condemnatory exclamation, directly addressing the religious leaders. The term "Woe" (Greek: _ouaí_) signifies a lament or an pronouncement of judgment, indicating severe spiritual consequences for their actions. By labeling them "scribes and Pharisees," Jesus identifies the specific group, and by calling them "hypocrites" (Greek: _hypokritḗs_), He exposes the fundamental flaw in their character: a deceptive outward appearance that conceals an unrighteous inner reality.
* **"for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter":** This clause highlights the meticulous, outward-focused religious practices of the scribes and Pharisees. They were scrupulous about ceremonial purity, ensuring that their eating vessels were ritually clean on the exterior. This refers to their adherence to external religious laws and traditions, presenting a facade of holiness and righteousness to society. The "cup and platter" serve as a metaphor for their public lives and religious observances.
* **"but within they are full of extortion and excess.":** This contrasting clause reveals the stark truth of their inner lives. The conjunction "but" (Greek: _dé_) introduces a powerful antithesis. Despite their outward cleanliness, their inner beings—represented by the inside of the cup and platter—were filled with moral corruption. "Extortion" (Greek: _harpagḗ_) speaks to their greed, exploitation, and unjust gain, while "excess" (Greek: _akrasía_) denotes a lack of self-control, intemperance, or profligacy. This exposes the deep spiritual decay and moral depravity that lay beneath their religious veneer.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 23:25 is rich in literary devices that amplify Jesus's condemnation. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the "cup and platter" serve as a vivid representation of the scribes and Pharisees themselves. The outside of the vessels symbolizes their public religious performance and external adherence to the law, while the inside represents their true inner character, motives, and moral state. This metaphor effectively illustrates the chasm between their appearance and reality. Closely related is **Antithesis**, the direct contrast between "outside" (Greek: _éxōthen_) and "within" (Greek: _ésōthen_). This juxtaposition sharply highlights the hypocrisy: a clean exterior versus a corrupt interior. The repeated use of "Woe unto you" throughout [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Jesus's Denunciation of Hypocrisy") functions as a form of **Anaphora**, creating a rhythmic, emphatic, and condemnatory tone that underscores the severity of Jesus's judgment. Furthermore, the strong, emotive language, particularly the direct address and the use of "hypocrites," employs **Direct Address** and **Labeling** to unequivocally identify and condemn their spiritual failing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 23:25 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true righteousness, emphasizing that God values the condition of the heart above all external observances. Jesus's condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees underscores a foundational biblical principle: genuine piety is not found in outward displays or ritualistic adherence, but in an inner transformation that produces justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The "extortion and excess" within their hearts reveal that their religious practices were not rooted in love for God or neighbor, but in self-interest and a desire for human praise. This verse challenges all who profess faith to examine their motives and ensure that their internal reality aligns with their external presentation, recognizing that God sees beyond the facade.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"): "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."
* [Psalm 51:6](/psalms/51-6 "Psalm 51:6 - Truth in the Inward Parts"): "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom."
* [Luke 11:39-41](/luke/11-39-41 "Luke 11:39-41 - Cleansing the Inside"): "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. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 23:25 stands as a timeless and piercing challenge to every believer, urging us to move beyond superficial spirituality and embrace genuine, heart-level transformation. It compels us to honestly examine our own lives, asking whether our outward expressions of faith—our church attendance, our service, our public declarations—are truly reflective of our inner character and motivations. Are we more concerned with appearing righteous to others than with being truly righteous before God? The "extortion and excess" within the Pharisees' hearts serve as a stark reminder that even religious people can harbor deep-seated sins like greed, unchecked desires, and a lack of self-control. This verse calls us to a radical authenticity, where our private lives align with our public profession, and where our pursuit of God is driven by love and a desire for holiness, not by a quest for human approval or a mere adherence to rules. It is a call to repent of hypocrisy in all its forms and to seek the cleansing of our inner being by the power of the Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing outward appearance or religious performance over genuine inner transformation?**
* **What "extortion" (greed, exploitation, unjust gain) or "excess" (lack of self-control, intemperance) might be present in my heart, even if hidden from others?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more authentic walk with God that focuses on the condition of my heart rather than merely external actions?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure that my private life truly reflects my public profession of faith?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "extortion and excess" in this context?**

Answer: In Matthew 23:25, "extortion" (Greek: _harpagḗ_) refers to greed, plunder, or taking advantage of others through unjust means. It implies a covetous spirit that exploits people for personal gain. "Excess" (Greek: _akrasía_) signifies a lack of self-control, intemperance, or profligacy, indicating unrestrained desires and a lack of moral discipline. Together, these terms expose the inner corruption of the scribes and Pharisees, revealing that despite their outward show of piety, their hearts were driven by selfish desires, material gain, and unbridled appetites, rather than by justice, mercy, or faithfulness. Jesus uses these terms to highlight the stark contrast between their meticulously clean exteriors and their morally defiled interiors.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 23:25, with its piercing indictment of hypocrisy, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The scribes and Pharisees sought righteousness through external observance and self-effort, attempting to "make clean the outside" while their "within" remained defiled. Jesus, however, perfectly embodied true righteousness, demonstrating an inner purity that seamlessly aligned with His outward actions. He was the only one who could truly cleanse, not just the outside, but the very heart of humanity. His mission was not to provide a new set of external rules, but to offer a radical, internal transformation. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing the means for humanity's inner defilement to be truly cleansed. The [blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing from All Sin"), making it possible for believers to receive a new heart and a new spirit ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, the solution to the "extortion and excess" within the human heart, which the Pharisees could not address, is found in Christ alone, who offers not just external conformity, but genuine, Spirit-wrought purity from the inside out, enabling us to live lives that truly honor God ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - Fulfilling the Law Through the Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 11:39

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.

Luke 11:40

[Ye] fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

Matthew 15:19

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Matthew 15:20

These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Isaiah 28:7

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.

Isaiah 28:8

For all tables are full of vomit [and] filthiness, [so that there is] no place [clean].

Mark 7:4

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.