King James Version

What Does Luke 11:39 Mean?

Luke 11:39 in the King James Version says “And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

Luke 11:39 · KJV


Context

37

And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

38

And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

39

And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

40

Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

41

But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. of: or, as you are able


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness (τὸ ἔξωθεν τοῦ ποτηρίου καὶ τοῦ πίνακος καθαρίζετε, τὸ δὲ ἔσωθεν ὑμῶν γέμει ἁρπαγῆς καὶ πονηρίας)—Jesus's response escalates from defending his practice to attacking theirs. The contrast between exōthen (outside) and esōthen (inside) structures his critique: external versus internal, appearance versus reality. Their scrupulous vessel-cleaning ritual (katharizō) masks internal corruption.

Full of ravening and wickedness (γέμει ἁρπαγῆς καὶ πονηρίας)—the verb gemō (full, loaded) intensifies the accusation. Harpagē (ravening, greed, extortion) and ponēria (wickedness, malice) describe the Pharisees' actual character beneath religious veneer. They rob widows (20:47), oppress the poor, use religion for financial gain—while obsessing over ritual purity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pharisaic purity laws prescribed washing eating vessels to remove ritual contamination from Gentile contact or improper use. Jesus exploits this metaphor: they cleanse ceremonial impurity from cups while their hearts overflow with greed and malice. The accusation of 'extortion' may reference their financial exploitation of common people through Temple taxes and burdensome religious requirements.

Reflection Questions

  1. What external religious activities might you be using to mask internal corruption?
  2. How does Jesus's cup metaphor expose the futility of focusing on outward behavior while ignoring heart transformation?
  3. In what areas might you be 'cleansing the outside' through religious performance while tolerating inner wickedness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
εἶπεν1 of 26

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ2 of 26

And

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος4 of 26

the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

πρὸς5 of 26

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτόν6 of 26

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Νῦν7 of 26

Now

G3568

"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate

ὑμεῖς8 of 26

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

οἱ9 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Φαρισαῖοι10 of 26

Pharisees

G5330

a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary

τὸ11 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔξωθεν12 of 26

the outside

G1855

external(-ly)

τοῦ13 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ποτηρίου14 of 26

of the cup

G4221

a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate

καὶ15 of 26

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦ16 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίνακος17 of 26

the platter

G4094

a plate

καθαρίζετε18 of 26

do

G2511

to cleanse (literally or figuratively)

τὸ19 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ20 of 26

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἔσωθεν21 of 26

inward part

G2081

from inside; also used as equivalent to g2080 (inside)

ὑμῶν22 of 26

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

γέμει23 of 26

is full

G1073

to swell out, i.e., be full

ἁρπαγῆς24 of 26

of ravening

G724

pillage (properly abstract)

καὶ25 of 26

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πονηρίας26 of 26

wickedness

G4189

depravity, i.e., (specially), malice; plural (concretely) plots, sins


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 11:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 11:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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