New Testament
Matthew 23:27
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders of His time, the scribes and Pharisees, for their hypocrisy.
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You're like whitewashed tombs — beautiful on the outside, but inside you're full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.
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.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders of His time, the scribes and Pharisees, for their hypocrisy. He compares them to whitewashed tombs, which look clean and beautiful on the outside but are filled with decay and death on the inside. This metaphor highlights the contrast between their outward appearance of righteousness and their inner moral corruption. The scribes and Pharisees were focused on external rituals and appearances, neglecting the true essence of faith and righteousness. Jesus emphasizes that true purity comes from within, not from outward displays of piety. This warning serves as a reminder that God values genuine faith and integrity over mere appearances. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts and ensure that their actions align with their inner beliefs, promoting authenticity in their spiritual lives.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Matthew 23:27 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own lives and ensure that we are not merely putting on a facade of righteousness. We should strive for authenticity in our faith, focusing on inner transformation rather than just outward appearances. True faith is about what is in our hearts.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 23:27 mean?
Matthew 23:27 means that Jesus is warning the religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, about their hypocrisy. He compares them to whitewashed tombs, which look good on the outside but are corrupt inside, highlighting the difference between their outward appearance and their inner moral state.
What is the meaning of 'whitewashed tombs' in Matthew 23:27?
In Matthew 23:27, 'whitewashed tombs' refers to tombs that are painted to look clean and beautiful, symbolizing how the Pharisees appear righteous outwardly but are spiritually dead and corrupt inside. This metaphor illustrates the danger of focusing on external appearances rather than true inner purity.
How does Matthew 23:27 apply to our lives today?
Matthew 23:27 encourages us to examine our own lives for authenticity in our faith. It reminds us to focus on inner transformation and integrity rather than just maintaining a good outward appearance.
What themes are present in Matthew 23:27?
The themes in Matthew 23:27 include hypocrisy, the importance of inner purity, the critique of religious leaders, the contrast between outward appearance and true righteousness, and the call for moral integrity.
The Book of Matthew
Matthew 1: The Generation and Birth of Jesus Christ
The book begins with the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. It records the generations from Abraham to David, from David until the carrying away into Babylon, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ, each being fourteen generations. The genealogy concludes with Jacob begetting Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
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