Matthew 23:28

KJV

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

KJV (with Strong's)

Even so {G3779} ye {G5210} also {G2532}{G3303} outwardly {G1855} appear {G5316} righteous {G1342} unto men {G444}, but {G1161} within {G2081} ye are {G2075} full {G3324} of hypocrisy {G5272} and {G2532} iniquity {G458}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Likewise, you appear to people from the outside to be good and honest, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and far from Torah.

Berean Standard Bible

In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

American Standard Version

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 23:28 delivers Jesus' incisive condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees, exposing the profound chasm between their meticulously crafted external religious façade and their deeply corrupted inner reality. This verse encapsulates His core critique: while they presented themselves as righteous and pious before others, their hearts were inwardly consumed by deceit, moral depravity, and a fundamental disregard for God's true justice and mercy. It serves as a powerful indictment of spiritual pretense, highlighting God's demand for authentic, heart-level transformation over mere outward observance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 23:28 is situated within Jesus' final and most scathing public denunciation of the religious leaders of Israel, primarily the scribes and Pharisees, known as the "Seven Woes" (though some counts vary, the intensity is undeniable). This chapter immediately follows Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His cleansing of the temple, setting the stage for direct confrontation with the religious establishment. The preceding verses in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees") detail their hypocrisy in seeking honor and titles ([Matthew 23:5-7](/matthew/23-5-7 "Matthew 23:5-7 - Love of Public Recognition")), their burdensome legalism ([Matthew 23:4](/matthew/23-4 "Matthew 23:4 - Burdensome Legalism")), and their misprioritization of tithing over justice, mercy, and faithfulness ([Matthew 23:23-24](/matthew/23-23-24 "Matthew 23:23-24 - Weightier Matters of the Law")). Specifically, [Matthew 23:27](/matthew/23-27 "Matthew 23:27 - Whitewashed Tombs") directly precedes our verse, likening the Pharisees to "whitewashed sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." Matthew 23:28 functions as a direct, summarizing application of this vivid metaphor, explicitly stating the inner condition that the "whitewashed" exterior conceals.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scribes and Pharisees were influential Jewish religious groups in first-century Judea. The Pharisees, in particular, were known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, striving for ritual purity and meticulous observance of religious duties. They were highly respected by the common people for their piety and learning. However, Jesus consistently challenged their outward religiosity, arguing that their focus on external rules often led to spiritual pride, self-righteousness, and a neglect of the weightier matters of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Their society placed a high value on public reputation and adherence to community standards, making the temptation to perform righteousness for human approval a pervasive cultural issue. The temple system and synagogue life were central to Jewish identity, and religious leaders held significant social and spiritual authority, making Jesus' public rebukes particularly shocking and confrontational.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospels and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Hypocrisy**, which Jesus relentlessly exposes as a fundamental spiritual failing. He consistently contrasts the outward appearance of piety with the true condition of the heart, emphasizing that God looks beyond external actions to discern genuine motives. This leads to the theme of **Inner vs. Outer Righteousness**, a foundational principle of Jesus' teaching, particularly evident in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"), where He reinterprets the Law to emphasize internal transformation over mere behavioral conformity (e.g., [Matthew 5:20](/matthew/5-20 "Matthew 5:20 - Righteousness Exceeding the Scribes and Pharisees")). Furthermore, the verse highlights the theme of **Iniquity** or lawlessness, revealing that the Pharisees' internal state was not merely a lack of sincerity but a deep-seated moral corruption and active opposition to God's righteous character, despite their claims of upholding the Law. This speaks to the pervasive nature of sin, which can manifest even under the guise of religiosity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Outwardly (Greek, _éxōthen_):** This adverb signifies something external or from the outside. In this context, it refers to the visible, public presentation of the scribes and Pharisees. It emphasizes that their "righteousness" was merely a surface-level appearance, observable by others, rather than an internal reality.
* **Hypocrisy (Greek, _hypókrisis_):** Derived from the Greek word for an actor playing a part on stage, often wearing a mask. This term perfectly captures the essence of the Pharisees' behavior: they were performing a religious role, feigning virtues and piety for an audience (men), while their true character remained hidden and corrupt. It denotes deceit, dissimulation, and a profound lack of sincerity.
* **Iniquity (Greek, _anomía_):** Literally meaning "lawlessness" or "without law." This term goes beyond mere pretense; it describes a fundamental disregard for divine law, moral corruption, and wickedness. It signifies a profound spiritual decay, a state of being contrary to God's righteous standards, implying a deeper moral rottenness than just pretending to be good.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men":** This clause establishes the public perception of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus acknowledges their success in presenting a pious and law-abiding image to society. The word "outwardly" (G1855, _éxōthen_) and "appear" (G5316, _phaínō_) underscore that this righteousness was a show, a façade designed for human observation and approval, rather than an authentic expression of inner transformation or genuine devotion to God. Their actions were calculated to impress people, not to honor God.
* **"but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.":** This contrasting clause reveals the stark and damning truth of their inner condition. The conjunction "but" (G1161, _dé_) sharply pivots from their external appearance to their internal reality. "Within" (G2081, _ésōthen_) points to their hearts, minds, and true motives. Jesus declares that this inner realm is "full" (G3324, _mestós_)—replete, saturated—with "hypocrisy" (G5272, _hypókrisis_), meaning deceitful pretense, and "iniquity" (G458, _anomía_), meaning lawlessness and moral wickedness. This signifies not just a partial failing, but a complete saturation of their inner being with spiritual corruption, making their outward show all the more egregious.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 23:28 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey Jesus' powerful indictment. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, creating a stark contrast between "outwardly appear righteous" and "within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." This direct opposition highlights the fundamental disconnect between the Pharisees' public persona and their private reality, underscoring the central theme of hypocrisy. This verse also functions as a direct **Application** and **Summary** of the preceding **Metaphor** found in [Matthew 23:27](/matthew/23-27 "Matthew 23:27 - Whitewashed Tombs"). By explicitly stating that they are "full of hypocrisy and iniquity" after likening them to beautiful but internally corrupt tombs, Jesus provides the interpretive key to His earlier imagery. Furthermore, the use of **Hyperbole** in "full of hypocrisy and iniquity" emphasizes the pervasive and overwhelming nature of their inner corruption, suggesting that their entire being was saturated with these vices, not just incidentally affected by them. The direct **Second-Person Address** ("ye also") makes the condemnation personal and inescapable for the religious leaders.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 23:28 is a profound theological statement on the nature of true righteousness and the insidious danger of spiritual pretense. It underscores God's unwavering focus on the heart, rather than on external displays or human approval. Jesus' condemnation reveals that religious activity, no matter how meticulous or outwardly impressive, is an abomination to God if it is not rooted in genuine sincerity, humility, and a transformed inner life. This verse serves as a timeless warning that God sees beyond the façade, discerning the true motives and condition of the soul. It challenges the very notion that one can earn God's favor through works or outward conformity, emphasizing instead the necessity of a right relationship with Him that impacts one's core being.

* [Luke 11:39](/luke/11-39 "Luke 11:39 - Inner Cleansing vs. Outward Show")
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")
* [Romans 2:28-29](/romans/2-28-29 "Romans 2:28-29 - True Circumcision of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 23:28 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting every believer to an honest and searching examination of their own spiritual walk. It challenges us to look beyond the superficial and to probe the true condition of our hearts. In a world often driven by image and perception, this verse reminds us that genuine faith is not about presenting a perfect exterior to others, but about cultivating an authentic, Spirit-transformed inner life before God. Are our acts of worship, service, and generosity truly motivated by love for God and neighbor, or are they subtly influenced by a desire for recognition, praise, or self-validation? The call here is for integrity—for our inner convictions to align seamlessly with our outward actions. This requires a humble willingness to confess our hidden faults, to expose our own "hypocrisy and iniquity" to the cleansing light of Christ, and to continually invite the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out, making our inner reality match the righteousness we profess.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing outward appearances over inner spiritual reality?**
* **What are my true motivations for engaging in religious practices or acts of service? Am I seeking God's approval or man's?**
* **How can I cultivate a more authentic and integrated faith where my inner life truly reflects my outward profession?**
* **What "iniquities" or "lawlessness" might still reside within my heart that need to be brought before God for cleansing and transformation?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus calling the Pharisees "hypocrites"?**

Answer: Jesus' use of the term "hypocrite" (Greek: _hypokrites_) is highly significant because it originally referred to an actor wearing a mask to play a role on stage. By labeling the Pharisees as hypocrites, Jesus was directly accusing them of performing a religious act, feigning piety and righteousness for public consumption, while their true inner character was corrupt and unrighteous. This accusation cut to the core of their spiritual deception, highlighting the stark contrast between their outward show and their inward reality. It underscored that God is concerned with the heart and genuine devotion, not with mere external adherence to rules or the pursuit of human applause.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 23:28, with its piercing condemnation of hypocrisy and iniquity, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of true righteousness, utterly devoid of any hypocrisy or inner corruption. Unlike the Pharisees who "outwardly appear righteous unto men" but were inwardly defiled, Jesus lived a life of perfect integrity, where His inner being was in complete harmony with the Father's will, as seen in His declaration, "[I do always those things that please him](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")". He perfectly fulfilled the Law, not merely in outward observance, but from a heart of pure love and obedience ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Furthermore, Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross provides the only means by which humanity, inherently "full of hypocrisy and iniquity" due to sin, can be truly cleansed and transformed from the inside out. He offers a new covenant where the law is written not on stone tablets but on the heart ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The Law Written on the Heart")), enabling genuine righteousness through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Thus, Jesus not only exposed the spiritual bankruptcy of outward religiosity but also provided the divine solution for true inner holiness, inviting all to come to Him for a heart that is truly clean and pleasing to God ([John 15:3](/john/15-3 "John 15:3 - Cleansed by the Word")).

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 16:15

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

1 Samuel 16:7

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.

Matthew 23:5

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Psalms 51:6

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Matthew 12:34

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Matthew 12:35

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Mark 7:21

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,