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.
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.
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?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
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.