Devine Scripture

Matthew 23:25

What does Matthew 23:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 23:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 23:25 means

Jesus pronounces the fifth woe, accusing the scribes and Pharisees of hypocrisy because they meticulously cleanse the outside of cups and plates, while their inner character remains full of "extortion and excess." This metaphor highlights their focus on outward appearance and ceremonial purity, intended to impress others, while inwardly they harbor corruption, greed, and indulgence. Their external religiosity is a facade, masking a deep spiritual impurity that defiles rather than cleanses.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

A curse is on you, scribes and Pharisees, false ones! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of violent behaviour and uncontrolled desire.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye make clean the outside of the cup and the plate, and within they are full of rapine and incontinence.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you make clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within you are full of rapine and uncleanness.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within they are full of rapine and intemperance.

Context

Following the vivid illustration of their inverted priorities, this verse introduces the fifth woe, continuing the theme of external purity masking internal corruption. It uses the easily relatable image of cleansing cups and platters to expose another aspect of their hypocrisy: their meticulous attention to outward religious observance while neglecting the inner spiritual state. This specific example sets up the direct call for internal cleansing in the following verse, showing the path to true purity.

v.24Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel!

v.25This passage

v.26Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean also.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 7:4

    and when they come from the marketplace, except they bathe themselves, they eat not; and many other things there are, which they have received to hold, washings of cups, and pots, and brasen vessels.)

  • Isaiah 28:7

    And even these reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they stagger with strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

  • Matthew 15:19

    For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings:

  • Luke 11:39

    And the Lord said unto him, Now ye the Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 23

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 23.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 23:25.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary