Luke 11:39 – “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.'”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their focus on external religious practices while neglecting their internal spiritual condition. The Pharisees were known for meticulously following ceremonial rituals, including the washing of hands, cups, and dishes to maintain ritual purity. But Jesus points out that their outward cleanliness is meaningless because their hearts are full of greed, selfishness, and sin. The metaphor of the cup and dish represents their lives: clean on the outside but corrupted on the inside.
This confrontation reveals a deeper truth about spiritual hypocrisy. The Pharisees appeared righteous to others, but their hearts were far from God. Jesus isn’t condemning outward acts of religious devotion in and of themselves; rather, He is highlighting the need for inner transformation. True purity comes from within, and without a heart aligned with God, outward rituals are empty and ineffective.
Historical Context
During Jesus’ time, the Pharisees were highly respected religious leaders who were committed to strict observance of the Law of Moses and additional oral traditions. One of their key practices involved ceremonial washings to ensure they remained “clean” in a ritual sense. These washings included not only personal hygiene but also the cleansing of utensils, cups, and dishes.
The Pharisees believed that these external rituals reflected their spiritual devotion. However, over time, these outward practices had become more important to them than the condition of their hearts. Jesus’ rebuke is consistent with the Old Testament prophets, who frequently warned Israel against external religious acts without genuine obedience to God (Isaiah 29:13).
The Pharisees’ focus on external appearances led to spiritual blindness. They were more concerned with looking holy than actually being holy, which is why Jesus confronts them so directly.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches several key theological lessons:
- God cares more about the heart than outward appearances. While external religious practices can be important, they are meaningless without genuine inner devotion to God. True righteousness begins with the heart and flows outward.
- Sin cannot be hidden by religious acts. The Pharisees tried to cover their greed and wickedness with rituals, but Jesus exposes their sin. No amount of external effort can hide the true condition of the heart from God.
- True purity requires inner transformation. Clean hands and clean cups are not enough; what God desires is a clean heart. This transformation comes through repentance and faith, not through legalistic observance of rules.
This verse is a warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and self-deception. It’s possible to appear righteous to others while being spiritually dead on the inside. Jesus calls for genuine repentance and a relationship with God that changes a person from the inside out.
Literary Analysis
The metaphor of the cup and dish is simple yet powerful. A clean cup on the outside but dirty on the inside is useless—it doesn’t fulfill its purpose. Jesus uses this imagery to highlight the absurdity of focusing on external appearances while ignoring inner sin. The contrast between the “outside” and “inside” emphasizes the gap between the Pharisees’ public image and their private reality.
The words “full of greed and wickedness” are significant. They reveal that the Pharisees’ problem wasn’t minor or superficial—it was a deep-seated issue of the heart. Their outward religious behavior masked a life driven by selfishness and moral corruption.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 23:25-28 – A parallel passage where Jesus accuses the Pharisees of being like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but full of dead bones and decay on the inside.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 – “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
- Isaiah 29:13 – God rebukes Israel for honoring Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him.
- Psalm 51:10 – David prays, “Create in me a pure heart, O God,” emphasizing the importance of internal purity over external rituals.
- James 1:27 – True religion is about caring for others and living a life of purity, not just following rituals.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder to focus on the condition of their hearts rather than relying on outward religious practices to appear righteous. Going to church, reading the Bible, or serving others can all be good things, but they are not substitutes for a heart that is genuinely devoted to God. If these actions are done for appearances or out of obligation, they are meaningless.
This verse also challenges believers to examine their motives. Are they living out their faith to please God, or are they more concerned with how others perceive them? True discipleship involves humility, repentance, and a desire to please God rather than seeking approval from others.
Additionally, this verse calls Christians to be cautious of spiritual pride. Just as the Pharisees were blind to their own sin because of their religious status, Christians can fall into the same trap if they prioritize appearances over a genuine relationship with God.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in His desire for true, lasting transformation rather than superficial obedience. He doesn’t want His people to settle for a hollow, external form of religion. Instead, He calls them to experience the fullness of His love by allowing Him to cleanse their hearts and transform their lives.
God’s love is also evident in Jesus’ willingness to confront the Pharisees. Although His words may seem harsh, they are spoken out of love and a desire to lead them to repentance. By exposing their sin, Jesus is offering them an opportunity to turn back to God and experience true spiritual renewal.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is central to this verse because He is the one who reveals the true condition of the human heart. His teaching exposes sin, not to condemn, but to bring about repentance and transformation. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provides the only way for people to be truly cleansed from sin.
In Hebrews 9:13-14, we learn that the blood of Christ cleanses believers from within, making external rituals unnecessary for salvation. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of what the Pharisees were trying to achieve through their rituals—true spiritual purity that comes from a relationship with God.
Additionally, Jesus serves as the perfect example of someone who lived with a pure heart. Unlike the Pharisees, His actions and motives were always aligned with God’s will. By following Him, believers can experience the same transformation and live lives that are genuinely pleasing to God.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there any areas in your life where you are focusing on outward appearances rather than inner transformation?
- How can you guard against spiritual pride and self-deception in your walk with God?
- What steps can you take to ensure that your religious practices are driven by genuine love for God rather than a desire for recognition?
- How does understanding that God looks at the heart change the way you approach your faith and daily life?
- In what ways can you invite Jesus to cleanse the “inside” of your life and transform your heart?