Matthew 23:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Note, that speaking of tithes He said, These things ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone: for tithes are a kind of alms, and what wrong is it to give alms? Yet said He it not to enforce a legal superstition. But here, discoursing of things clean and unclean, He does not add this, but distinguishes and shews that external purity of necessity follows internal; the outside of the cup and platter signifying the body, the inside the soul.

The Lord declares, "You strive to adorn your external appearance, yet your inner being, your soul, is tainted, for you engage in theft and wrongdoing. It is essential to cleanse the inner self, the soul, so that, alongside its purity, your external, physical condition will also radiate."

In different words, but to the same purport as before, He reproves the hypocrisy and dissimulation of the Pharisees, that they shewed one face to men abroad, but wore another at home. He means not here, that their scrupulousness respecting the cup and the platter was of any importance, but that they affected it to pass off their sanctity upon men; which is clear from His adding, but inwardly ye are full of ravening and uncleanness.

When the spirit is cleansed, the physical form is likewise sanctified, yet it is not the case that the body’s purification leads to the spirit's cleansing. Consequently, it is essential for the spirit to undergo purification for the body to attain purity as well.

This discourse instructs us that we should hasten to become righteous, not to seem so. For whoso seeks to be thought so, cleanses the outside, and has care of the things that are seen, but neglects the heart and conscience. But he who seeks to cleanse that which is within, that is, the thoughts, makes by that means the things without clean also. All professors of false doctrine are cups cleansed on the outside, because of that show of religion which they affect, but within they are full of extortion and guile, hurrying men into error. The cup is a vessel for liquids, the platter for meat. Every discourse then of which we spiritually drink, and all speech by which we are fed, are vessels for meat and drink.

He therefore is reproving those who, pursuing an ostentation of useless scrupulosity, neglected the discharge of useful morality. For it is the inside of the cup that is used; if that be foul, what profit is it to cleanse the outside? And therefore what is needed is purity of the inner conscience, that those things which are of the body may be clean without.

"Anyone who gazes at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). Although the physical body may remain inactive, sin can still take root in the mind. However, when the soul diligently engages in prayer, maintains sobriety, remembers death, feels godly sorrow, and laments, it can reject the temptations of the evil one. Consequently, the body becomes sanctified, rendered inactive against wrongdoing. This aligns with the Lord's teaching: it is not merely those who cleanse the external vessel that are pure within, but rather those who first make the inner vessel clean—then the outer will also be pure. If you strive to ensure that your inner life aligns with God's will, you will conquer the external passions that seek to ensnare you. For if the root is holy, so too are the branches; if the leaven is holy, the entire batch is holy. As Paul instructs, "Walk in the Spirit, and do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16).

Anyone who harbors wicked and impure thoughts in their heart stands before God, who examines our innermost being, as detestable and unclean. This is the judgment of God Himself regarding such malevolent thoughts, for He stated, ‘It defiles a man’ (Matthew 15:20). Similarly, Solomon teaches us, ‘An abomination to the Lord is an unrighteous thought’ (Proverbs 15:26). If you, as a confessor, assist the penitent in liberating themselves from these thoughts and purifying the depths of their soul, then as their inner being is cleansed, naturally, all their external deeds will also reflect this purity.

Purify the inner self, so that the outer self may also reflect this purity. Our behavior in communal settings is typically managed well; we are conscious of human judgment and act with restraint. When individuals outwardly pursue sinful actions, such conduct is often the final resort, leading to a loss of all sense of shame. Yet, even when visible actions are disciplined, the internal realm of thoughts and emotions may remain disordered. There, freedom is often mistaken for self-indulgence, expressed outwardly only to the extent that it can remain concealed from public scrutiny. This situation resembles a beautifully adorned coffin concealing decay. The state of inner impurity inevitably tarnishes the outer life as well.

Through symbols, the law imparted lessons on living a pure life. One such ancient tradition among the Jews involved washing bowls and dishes (Matthew 23:25) to keep them free from the defilement of sinners. This practice was meant to help the Jews steer clear of communion with those deemed unclean by avoiding contact with the utensils they used. In engaging with these customs, they were taught to shun sin itself. However, those who meticulously followed these rituals while engaging in theft, deceit, and violence were rendered unholy by their actions. Thus, the Lord admonishes, "Avoid this injustice, you blind Pharisee" (Matt. 23:26), for you fail to recognize your own actions. What is clean in your cup and plate is derived not from injustice. True righteousness purifies the vessel far more beautifully than mere water.

Blind Pharisee! You are oblivious to your need for correction, and you even presume to guide others. Awaken from your delusion, purify the inside of your cup and dish first. Ensure that what you serve is produced not through deceit and injustice, but through honest effort. Only then will it naturally follow that the exterior of your dish and cup will be clean. Otherwise, mere outward cleanliness will not benefit you. Your inner being, your very soul, is laden with filth. "You strive to adorn the outer appearance of the vessel," notes Blessed Theophylact, "that is, the surface of your existence, while your inner self remains corrupt." "If the inner quality of a dish holds significance, it is all the more critical for yourself," as St. John Chrysostom reminds us.

"First cleanse what is within, etc.: ensure that the food you eat and the drink you consume have not been obtained through deceit and injustice, but through honest work. Only then can the exterior of your dish and cup truly reflect purity; otherwise, even if they appear clean on the outside, they lack true moral purity within. St. Chrysostom emphasizes not just the cleansing of dishes and cups, but also the sanctification of both body and soul, with 'exterior' referring to the body and 'interior' to the soul. 'If the inner aspect holds significance for the dish, surely it is even more crucial for you. Yet, you focus on the trivial and external matters while disregarding the vital and internal aspects.