Matthew Chapter 23 · Verse 27
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
5 of 23
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
ὑποκριταί
hypocrites
G5273
ὑποκριταί
hypocrites
Strong's:
G5273
Word #:
6 of 23
an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"
ὅτι
! for
G3754
ὅτι
! for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
7 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἵτινες
which
G3748
οἵτινες
which
Strong's:
G3748
Word #:
11 of 23
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
μὲν
indeed
G3303
μὲν
indeed
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
φαίνονται
appear
G5316
φαίνονται
appear
Strong's:
G5316
Word #:
14 of 23
to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
ὡραῖοι
beautiful
G5611
ὡραῖοι
beautiful
Strong's:
G5611
Word #:
15 of 23
belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e., (by implication) flourishing (beauteous (figuratively))
ἔσωθεν
are within
G2081
ἔσωθεν
are within
Strong's:
G2081
Word #:
16 of 23
from inside; also used as equivalent to g2080 (inside)
Cross References
Acts 23:3Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?Luke 11:44Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.Numbers 19:16And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
Historical Context
According to Mishnah Shekalim 1:1, Jews whitewashed graves on Adar 15 (month before Passover) to warn pilgrims. The whitewash created attractive monuments—some wealthy families elaborately decorated tombs. But Jewish law considered corpse-contact the most severe defilement, requiring sprinkling with red heifer ashes (Numbers 19). Jesus spoke this during Passover week when these whitewashed tombs were most visible and pilgrims most concerned about purity.
Questions for Reflection
- What "whitewashing" do you apply to your life to appear spiritually attractive while harboring inner corruption?
- How can religious activity itself become a form of defilement when divorced from heart transformation?
- In what ways does concern for external respectability make you more dangerous spiritually—defiling others while convinced of your own purity?
Analysis & Commentary
Whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward (τάφοις κεκονιαμένοις οἵτινες ἔξωθεν μὲν φαίνονται ὡραῖοι)—Jews whitewashed tombs with lime before Passover so pilgrims wouldn't accidentally touch them and become ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:16). The whitewashing made them conspicuous and attractive, but within remained dead men's bones and all uncleanness (νεκρῶν ὀστέων καὶ πάσης ἀκαθαρσίας). Contact with corpses brought seven-day defilement—the highest level of ritual impurity.
The irony is devastating: those obsessed with avoiding ritual defilement were themselves walking tombs, defiling everyone they touched. Akatharsias (uncleanness) encompasses moral corruption, not just ceremonial impurity. Beautiful exterior, rotting interior—this describes unregenerate religion perfectly.