TRV
Translation
King James Version
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Complete Jewish Bible
Blind Parush! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside may be clean too.
Berean Standard Bible
Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.
American Standard Version
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean also.
World English Bible Messianic
You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Thou blinde Pharise, cleanse first the inside of the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be cleane also.
Young's Literal Translation
`Blind Pharisee! cleanse first the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside of them also may become clean.
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In the KJVVerse 23,945 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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TertullianAD 220
On Repentance
We are not washed in order that we may cease sinning, but because we have ceased, since in heart we have been bathed already.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 22-23
If it is proper to regard everything in the gospel according to the moral sense … we can say that it is a sort of spiritual food and spiritual drink that we receive when we read the law and the prophets in Scripture. Indeed, the language through which we take our spiritual drink and the biblical narratives on which we are nourished are the plates and cups for our food and drink. This is why we are warned not to take as much care for their outside as we do for their inside, so that our hearts might be filled with pure understanding, not merely adorned with fine rhetoric and grammar. For "the Kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." Whoever strives harder to dress his speech in elegant composition than to fill it with saving doctrine has cleaned only the outside, but the inside remains stained with vanity.…We can also say that the very words of the law and the prophets are the cups of spiritual drink for souls and that the plates or bowls of nourishing food for the faithful are their wise authors. The scribes and Pharisees work diligently at discerning only the external, literal meaning of these prophetic cups and plates and bowls, eager to demonstrate that the vessels themselves are pure and holy. The disciples of Christ … hasten to purify and sanctify the interior, spiritual meaning by means of knowledge and credible explanations, so that they might eat and drink the law and the prophets whose inside has been purified, desiring as they do to hear and understand the interior, mystical meaning and to go beyond the literal sense of the words.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 21.28
This passage teaches us that we should hasten to be righteous, not merely to appear so. Whoever strives only to appear righteous will cleanse his exterior and will take great care of what can be seen by others but will neglect his heart and his conscience. He fails to realize that the one who is eager to purify his interior life and his thoughts will also naturally want to give a healthy outward appearance as well. Whoever works hard on the externals but neglects his interior life, however, will inevitably be filled with avarice, lust, malice, and many other kinds of evil. For the one who is solicitous of his own interior salvation also takes care of his external, public reputation. But not everyone who cares first about his public reputation is also solicitous of his interior salvation. In this connection, it is written that "whoever sees a woman and lusts after her has committed adultery with her in his heart." He who refrains from acts of fornication, therefore, but commits fornication by lusting in his heart is like the one who cleanses the outside of the cup and plate while the inside is left full of intemperance. Whoever performs acts of mercy for the purpose of earning human respect, doing his good deeds "to be seen by men," also seems to cleanse only the exterior of the cup and plate but is full of intemperance and lust for vainglory within.
Origen of Alexandria (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 253
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
This discourse instructs us that we should hasten to become righteous, not to seem so. For whoso seeks to be thought so, cleanses the outside, and has care of the things that are seen, but neglects the heart and conscience. But he who seeks to cleanse that which is within, that is, the thoughts, makes by that means the things without clean also. All professors of false doctrine are cups cleansed on the outside, because of that show of religion which they affect, but within they are full of extortion and guile, hurrying men into error. The cup is a vessel for liquids, the platter for meat. Every discourse then of which we spiritually drink, and all speech by which we are fed, are vessels for meat and drink. They who study to set forth well wrought discourse rather than such as is full of healthful meaning, are cups cleansed without; but within full of the defilement of vanity. Also the letter of the Law and the Prophets is a cup of spiritual drink, and a platter of necessary food. The Scribes and Pharisees seek to make plain the outward sense; Christ's disciples labour to exhibit the spiritual sense.
Hilary of Poitiers (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 367
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
He therefore is reproving those who, pursuing an ostentation of useless scrupulosity, neglected the discharge of useful morality. For it is the inside of the cup that is used; if that be foul, what profit is it to cleanse the outside? And therefore what is needed is purity of the inner conscience, that those things which are of the body may be clean without.
Apollinaris of LaodiceaAD 382
FRAGMENT 117
The law of Moses taught through the use of symbols how to maintain purity throughout life’s activities. It was the custom of the Jews, passed on to them from their ancient traditions, to wash carefully their cups and the dish that contained their food. They observed these practices to maintain their purity and to avoid contact with “sinful people.” Their aim was that they might flee from fellowship with sinners.… How much more through such practices were they preparing themselves to flee from sin itself. And yet those who were carefully observing these practices were themselves acting like robbers and violently making a profit, becoming loathsome by doing so. Therefore Jesus says this: “Flee unrighteousness, O blind Pharisee. For you fail to perceive how you are acting. For what is in the cup and dish are clean if they are not gained in an unrighteous manner. Righteousness cleanses the vessel much better than water.”
John Chrysostom (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 407
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Note, that speaking of tithes He said, These things ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone: for tithes are a kind of alms, and what wrong is it to give alms? Yet said He it not to enforce a legal superstition. But here, discoursing of things clean and unclean, He does not add this, but distinguishes and shows that external purity of necessity follows internal; the outside of the cup and platter signifying the body, the inside the soul.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 73
So, therefore, while with respect to alms He saith, "These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the others undone," touching purifications He speaks not on this wise, but what? "Ye make clean," He saith, "the outside of the cup and the platter, but within they are full of extortion, and injustice. Cleanse that which is within the cup, that the outside may be clean also." And He took it from a thing confessed and manifest, from a cup and platter.
And besides, neither is it concerning a cup and platter he is speaking, but of soul and body, by the outside meaning the body, by the inside the soul. But if with regard to the platter there be need of that which is within much more with regard to thee.
But ye do the contrary, saith He, observing things trifling and external, ye neglect what are great and inward: whence very great mischief arises, for that thinking ye have duly performed all, ye despise the other things; and despising them, ye do not so much as strive or attempt to perform them.
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Matthew
(Verse 25, 26.) Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and impurity. Blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and the plate, so that the outside also may be clean. In different words, with the same meaning as above, Jesus accuses the Pharisees of hypocrisy and deceit, because they pretend one thing to others outwardly, but do something different at home. Not that their superstition delayed them in the cup and dish; but that they displayed holiness to others, in their attire, in their speech, in their phylacteries, in the fringes, in the length of their prayers, and other such things, while internally they were full of the filth of vices.
Jerome (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 420
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
In different words, but to the same purport as before, He reproves the hypocrisy and dissimulation of the Pharisees, that they showed one face to men abroad, but wore another at home. He means not here, that their scrupulousness respecting the cup and the platter was of any importance, but that they affected it to pass off their sanctity upon men; which is clear from His adding, but inwardly ye are full of ravening and uncleanness.
Pseudo-Chrysostom (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 500
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Or, He means that the Jews whenever they were to enter the temple or to offer sacrifice, or on any festivals, used to wash themselves, their clothes, and their vessels, but none cleansed himself from his sins; but God neither commends bodily cleanliness, nor condemns the contrary. But suppose foulness of person or of vessels were offensive to God, which must become foul by being used, how much more does He not abhor foulness of conscience, which we may, if we will, keep ever pure?
This He speaks not of the cup and platter of sense, but of that of the understanding, which may be pure before God, though it have never touched water; but if it have sinned, then though the water of the whole ocean and of all rivers have washed it, it is foul and guilty before God.
Gregory the Dialogist (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 604
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(Mor. i. 15.) Or otherwise; The gnat stings while it hums; the camel bows its back to receive its load. The Jews then strained off the gnat, when they prayed to have the seditious robber released to them; and they swallowed the camel, when they sought with shouts the death of Him who had voluntarily taken on Him the burden of our mortality.
Theophylact of OhridAD 1107
Preserving the traditions of the elders, the Pharisees would wash the cups and the plates in which their food and drink were to be placed. But they drank wine and ate food gained by extortion, so they were all the more polluted. Therefore Christ says, do not obtain wine from injustice and the inside of the cup will be clean. Or, in another sense, He is speaking not of cups and plates, but of the bodily and external condition in contrast to the inner and spiritual. For, He says, you assume a most comely appearance on the outside of the cup, that is, in your external condition, while you are full of filth within, extorting and practicing injustice. But you must cleanse the inside, that is, the soul. For the radiance of a purified soul illumines the outward appearance of a man.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
In Matthew 23:26, Jesus delivers a sharp rebuke to the "blind Pharisee," instructing them to first cleanse the "within" of the cup and platter so that the "outside" may also become clean. This powerful metaphor exposes the profound hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who meticulously maintained outward appearances of piety while neglecting the internal state of their hearts, which were filled with greed and self-indulgence. Jesus' command prioritizes true spiritual purity, emphasizing that genuine righteousness originates from a transformed inner being, which then naturally manifests in righteous external conduct.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jesus masterfully employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is Metaphor, where the "cup and platter" serve as a vivid representation of a person's life and character. The "within" signifies the inner self (thoughts, motives, heart), while the "outside" represents outward conduct and religious observance. This metaphor effectively communicates that true purity must originate from the core of one's being. Furthermore, Jesus uses pointed Irony by addressing the Pharisee as "blind." The Pharisees prided themselves on their spiritual insight and ability to guide others, yet Jesus declares them spiritually sightless, unable to perceive the very truth they claimed to uphold. The verse also contains a powerful Imperative Mood ("cleanse first"), which functions as a direct, authoritative command, underscoring the urgency and non-negotiable nature of internal transformation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 23:26 powerfully articulates a foundational biblical truth: God's primary concern is the state of the human heart, not merely outward conformity to religious rules. This aligns with the prophetic tradition that often critiqued Israel's ritualism when divorced from justice and righteousness. Jesus' teaching here foreshadows the New Covenant emphasis on internal transformation, where God's law is written on the heart, and true worship is in spirit and truth. It challenges any form of superficial religiosity, asserting that genuine holiness flows from a purified inner life, impacting all external actions.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a timeless and profound challenge to all who claim to follow God, urging us to look beyond superficial religious performance to the true condition of our hearts. It compels us to prioritize genuine internal transformation over mere outward conformity or the desire for human approval. We are called to allow the Spirit of God to expose and cleanse the hidden areas of our lives—our motives, desires, thoughts, and attitudes—for it is from this inner wellspring that our actions truly flow. This means cultivating a deep, authentic relationship with God that impacts our character at its core, rather than simply adhering to external practices or projecting an image of piety. True faith is integrated, where inner integrity and outer conduct are in harmonious alignment, reflecting the righteousness of Christ.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the "cup and platter" metaphor?
Answer: The "cup and platter" metaphor is a powerful symbol of a person's entire life, encompassing both their inner being and their outward conduct. The "within" of the cup and platter represents the unseen, internal aspects of a person—their thoughts, motives, desires, and the true condition of their heart. The "outside" represents their visible actions, religious practices, and public persona. Jesus uses this common household imagery to illustrate that true purity and righteousness originate from the inside. Just as a clean cup must be clean on the inside to be truly fit for use, so a person must be pure in heart for their external actions to be genuinely righteous and pleasing to God. The metaphor condemns the hypocrisy of those who meticulously clean the "outside" (outward religious observance) while neglecting the "inside" (inner corruption), emphasizing that God looks at the heart, as stated in 1 Samuel 16:7.
Why does Jesus call them "blind"?
Answer: Jesus calls the Pharisee "blind" not in a literal, physical sense, but in a profound spiritual and intellectual sense. Despite their extensive knowledge of the Law and their position as religious teachers, they were unable to perceive spiritual truth, particularly concerning God's true nature and the requirements of His kingdom. Their self-righteousness, pride, and legalistic interpretations had obscured their vision, preventing them from recognizing their own sin, the true meaning of the Scriptures, and even the Messiah standing before them. This "blindness" is a recurring theme in Jesus' teachings (e.g., John 9:39-41), highlighting the irony that those who claimed to see were spiritually lost, while many who acknowledged their spiritual need found sight in Him.
Does this verse mean that external actions don't matter?
Answer: No, this verse does not imply that external actions don't matter. Rather, it establishes the correct priority and relationship between internal purity and external conduct. Jesus' command to "cleanse first that which is within" indicates that genuine righteousness must originate from a transformed heart. The phrase "that the outside of them may be clean also" clearly shows that the goal is for both the inside and the outside to be clean. When the heart is purified by God's grace, it naturally leads to righteous actions and a life that honors Him in all aspects. External actions, when they flow from a clean heart, become authentic expressions of faith and love, rather than mere performances or attempts to gain human approval. The verse warns against the danger of focusing solely on outward appearances while neglecting the crucial inner work of sanctification.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 23:26, with its piercing call for internal purity, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Pharisees sought to cleanse themselves through meticulous adherence to the Law, but Jesus reveals the impossibility of true inner cleansing apart from divine intervention. He is the only one who perfectly fulfilled the Law, not just externally, but from a perfectly pure heart, demonstrating what true righteousness looks like. Furthermore, Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross provides the means for the radical inner cleansing that the Law could not achieve. His blood purifies our consciences from dead works to serve the living God, as declared in Hebrews 9:14. Through faith in Him, believers are not merely given a new set of rules, but a new heart and a new spirit, as promised in Ezekiel 36:26-27. The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, indwells believers, enabling the ongoing process of sanctification where the "inside of the cup" is progressively cleansed, leading to a life that genuinely reflects Christ's righteousness on the "outside." Thus, what was an impossible command under the old covenant becomes a Spirit-empowered reality for those united to Christ, who is our righteousness and sanctification, as articulated in 1 Corinthians 1:30.