Matthew 23:26 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. In Luke (Luke 11:40) it is, "Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?" - `He to whom belongs the outer life, and of right demands its subjection to Himself, is the inner man less His?' A remarkable example this of our Lord's power of drawing the most striking illustrations of great truths from the most familiar objects and incidents in life. To these words, recorded by Luke, He adds the following, involving a principle of immense value: "But rather give alms of such things as ye have, and behold, all things are clean unto you" (Luke 11:41). Since the greed of these hypocrites was one of the most prominent features of their character (Luke 16:14), our Lord bids them exemplify the opposite character, and then their outside, ruled by this, would be beautiful in the eye of God, and their meals would be eaten with clean hands, though never so fouled with the business of this worky world. (See Ecclesiastes 9:7).

Matthew 23:26

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