King James Version

What Does Matthew 23:27 Mean?

Matthew 23:27 in the King James Version says “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful o...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Matthew 23:27 · KJV

Context

25

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.

26

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

27

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.

28

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

29

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward (τάφοις κεκονιαμένοις οἵτινες ἔξωθεν μὲν φαίνονται ὡραῖοι)—Jews whitewashed tombs with lime before Passover so pilgrims wouldn't accidentally touch them and become ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:16). The whitewashing made them conspicuous and attractive, but within remained dead men's bones and all uncleanness (νεκρῶν ὀστέων καὶ πάσης ἀκαθαρσίας). Contact with corpses brought seven-day defilement—the highest level of ritual impurity.

The irony is devastating: those obsessed with avoiding ritual defilement were themselves walking tombs, defiling everyone they touched. Akatharsias (uncleanness) encompasses moral corruption, not just ceremonial impurity. Beautiful exterior, rotting interior—this describes unregenerate religion perfectly.

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Historical & Cultural Context

According to Mishnah Shekalim 1:1, Jews whitewashed graves on Adar 15 (month before Passover) to warn pilgrims. The whitewash created attractive monuments—some wealthy families elaborately decorated tombs. But Jewish law considered corpse-contact the most severe defilement, requiring sprinkling with red heifer ashes (Numbers 19). Jesus spoke this during Passover week when these whitewashed tombs were most visible and pilgrims most concerned about purity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What "whitewashing" do you apply to your life to appear spiritually attractive while harboring inner corruption?
  2. How can religious activity itself become a form of defilement when divorced from heart transformation?
  3. In what ways does concern for external respectability make you more dangerous spiritually—defiling others while convinced of your own purity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
Οὐαὶ1 of 23

“Woe”

G3759

woe

ὑμῖν2 of 23

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

γραμματεῖς3 of 23

“scribes”

G1122

a professional writer

καὶ4 of 23

“and”

G2532

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

Φαρισαῖοι5 of 23

“Pharisees”

G5330

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

ὑποκριταί6 of 23

“hypocrites”

G5273

an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"

ὅτι7 of 23

“! for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

παρομοιάζετε8 of 23

“ye are like”

G3945

to resemble

τάφοις9 of 23

“sepulchres”

G5028

a grave (the place of interment)

κεκονιαμένοις10 of 23

“unto whited”

G2867

to whitewash

οἵτινες11 of 23

“which”

G3748

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

ἔξωθεν12 of 23

“outward”

G1855

external(-ly)

μὲν13 of 23

“indeed”

G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

φαίνονται14 of 23

“appear”

G5316

to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

ὡραῖοι15 of 23

“beautiful”

G5611

belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e., (by implication) flourishing (beauteous (figuratively))

ἔσωθεν16 of 23

“are within”

G2081

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

δὲ17 of 23

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

γέμουσιν18 of 23

“full”

G1073

to swell out, i.e., be full

ὀστέων19 of 23

“men's bones”

G3747

a bone

νεκρῶν20 of 23

“of dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

καὶ21 of 23

“and”

G2532

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

πάσης22 of 23

“of all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἀκαθαρσίας23 of 23

“uncleanness”

G167

impurity (the quality), physically or morally

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 23:27 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 Matthew 23:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 23:3Luke 11:44Numbers 19:16Isaiah 58:1-2

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