Knowing The Word in Matthew 23:23-28

The Woes Continue

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness [have been ignored because of the focus on tithing every garden herb]. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. [They have failed to distinguish between internal purity and external ritual correctness.]

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. [One became unclean upon touching a tomb, so they were whitewashed during festivals so they were more noticeable.] 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.