“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”

Jesus follows his previous statements with figurative language that condemn the false piety of these religious leaders. He calls out these scribes for being eagerly driven on the single task of polishing up their public image.

[v. 25a] “For you clean the outside of the cup and plate …”

Jesus spoke the truth to these men of the Law. They were diligent to wash up for the public … adorn themselves with the ornate robes of office and put forth a public face of piety and godly obedience.

The scribes and Pharisees seemed to be only concerned with cleanliness that appeared outwardly. They devoted their energies to ceremonial cleanliness through meticulous attention to meals and to the sacrifices on the altar. Yet the figurative purpose of this language by our LORD is meant to expose the external devotions of piety.