Bible Strands
Matthew 23:26
Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees immediately after condemning their focus on external ritual purity in Matthew 23:25.
The words — The Greek terms πρῶτον (prōton, "first") and ἐντὸς (entos, "inside") structure the command to prioritize internal purification over exterior maintenance.
The thread — The text’s focus on inner cleansing aligns with the instructions in 2 Corinthians 7:1, Hebrews 10:22, and James 4:8 to purify the heart and spirit before approaching God.
Why it lands — The verse commands that personal integrity must precede religious observance, requiring readers to address inner corruption before expecting outward correctness.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- James 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
- Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
- Ezekiel 18:31 Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?
- Matthew 12:33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.
- Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
- Jeremiah 4:14 Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?
- Jeremiah 13:27 Your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution on the hills and in the fields—I have seen your detestable acts. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?”