Matthew 23:25-26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 5: Greed and Uncleanness

Matthew 23:25-26 – Woe 5: Greed and Uncleanness

|| Luke 11:39-41

MT23:25 “WOE to you hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees because you cleanse the outside of the cup[1] and the plate but inside they are full of grasping and lack of [moral] strength.[2] MT23:26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish so that it may become clean[3] along with the outside.

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[1] You cleanse the outside of the cup: Compare Mark 7:4.

[2] Grasping and lack of [moral] strength: Or, KJV: extortion and excess; RHM: plunder and intemperance; KNX: avarice and incontinence; RIEU: rapine and unbridled greed; MOF: rapacity and self-indulgence; ASV: insolent behavior and uncontrolled desire. The word “grasping” (or, snatching) is from the Greek HARPAGES related to Philippians 2:6 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

[3] Become clean: Compare notes on Matthew 15:18, 19. One of the worst types of hypocrisy is a religious person with church appointments who is one person publicly but another internally.

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Preceding

Matthew 23:1-12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Prominence and Humility

Matthew 23:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Shutting Up the Kingdom

Matthew 23:15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 2: Evangelists of Gehenna

Matthew 23:16-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 3: Blind Guides and Gold

Matthew 23:23-24 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 4: A Disregard for Justice and Mercy

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Related

1. Legalism: Luke 11
2. The Pharisee
3. Pharisees and Scribes