Matthew 23:27
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.
KJV
οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι παρομοιάζετε τάφοις κεκονιαμένοις, οἵτινες ἔξωθεν μὲν φαίνονται ὡραῖοι ἔσωθεν δὲ γέμουσιν ὀστέων νεκρῶν καὶ πάσης ἀκαθαρσίας.
Greek NT
Væ vobis scribæ et pharisæi hypocritæ, quia similes estis sepulchris dealbatis, quæ a foris parent hominibus speciosa, intus vero pleni sunt ossibus mortuorum, et omni spurcitia !
Vulgate
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
ASV
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you are like to whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful but within are full of dead men's bones and of all filthiness.
Douay-Rheims
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In the original Greek
22 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.
Textual variants
1 variant unit attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.
- παρομοιάζετε — SBLGNT
- παρομοιάζετε — Westcott-Hort, Reader's GNT (NA27), Robinson-Pierpont
- ὁμοιάζετε — Tregelles
Prophecy
Historic Christian voices
5 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.
Concerning sacrifices and oblations, and those who truly offer them. 1. The oblation of the Church, therefore, which the Lord gave instructions to be offered throughout all the world, is accounted with God a pure sacrifice, and is acceptable to Him; not that He stands in need of a sacrifice from us, but that he who offers is himself glorified in what he does offer, if his gift …
2. Then, to show that there is no harm arising from despising bodily cleansings, but very great vengeance from not regarding the purifications of the soul, which is virtue, He called these a gnat, for they are small and nothing, but those other a camel, for they were beyond what men could bear. Wherefore also He says, Straining at the gnat, and swallowing the camel. For indeed …
An almost Christian is, first, one that is content with the form of religion, with an outward show of godliness, but denying the power thereof. He goes to church, reads his Bible, says his prayers, gives alms, and is fair and just in his dealings. In the eyes of men he is blameless. But all this may be done and yet the soul remain dead in trespasses and sins.
Cross-references
- 2Sam 14:25 — But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
- 2Tim 3:5 — Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
- Acts 23:3 — Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
- Acts 23:3 — Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
- Col 2:23 — Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
- Isa 10:1 — Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
- Luke 11:42 — But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
- Luke 11:44 — Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
- Luke 11:44 — Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
- Mal 3:7 — Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we ret
- Matt 23:13 — But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
- Num 19:16 — And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
- Num 19:16 — And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
- Prov 26:23 — Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
- Rev 18:24 — And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
- Rom 3:13 — Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: