Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Matthew 23:25. It’s a really important and slightly unsettling verse in the Bible. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse is about hypocrisy – pretending to be righteous while actually being corrupt or greedy. It's pointing out that people are showing outward appearances of goodness and piety, but they’re really doing something very wrong on the inside. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Matthew 23:25” : This is the verse itself – a specific event in the book of Matthew. "Woe unto you..." : This is a formal, somewhat harsh way of saying "it's going to be bad for you." It’s not an invitation to do something wrong; it's a warning. "...scribes and Pharisees..." : These are two groups of people who were very important in the Jewish religious system at that time – scribes (copyists of texts) and Pharisees (leaders of the court). They held significant power and responsibility for interpreting the law. "...hypocrites!" : This is the key word here. "Hypocrites" means someone who pretends to be righteous but doesn’t actually live according to their beliefs. They put on a show, but they're really doing something different. “for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter..." : This describes what they are doing. They are meticulously cleaning – polishing – the outward appearance of things (the cups and plates). What does this mean in practice? It means they were: Showing outward displays of piety: They were putting on a good face, being nice to others, and following religious rules on the surface . But secretly doing something wrong: They were actually being greedy – taking more than they needed, hoarding things, or acting in ways that are unfair. The Core Message: This verse is a warning against hypocrisy. It’s saying that true faith (or righteousness) isn't just about outward behavior; it's about inward character and living with honesty and integrity. It suggests that people who truly believe in God are genuine, not just pretending to be. In short: The verse warns against facades and says that appearances can be deceiving. It’s a call for deeper, more authentic faith. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with examples? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Connect it to other biblical stories or teachings about sin and repentance?