Matthew 23:25
Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
«وَيْلٌ لَكُمْ أيُّهَا الفِرِّيسِيُّونَ وَمُعَلِّمو الشَّرِيعَةِ المُرَاءُونَ! فَأنْتُمْ تُنَظِّفُونَ خَارِجَ الكَأسِ أوِ الطَّبَقِ، بَيْنَمَا يَملأُ الجَشَعُ وَالخُبثُ دَوَاخِلَكُمْ.
What Does This Mean?
Jesus is speaking to the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites because they only clean the outside of things, like cups or dishes, but inside they are full of bad behaviors like greed and excess.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a toy box. You keep it shiny on the outside by wiping it clean every day, but inside, your toys are all broken and messy because you don't take care of them properly. Jesus is saying that's what some people were doing - they looked good on the outside but weren't nice or honest inside.
Historical Background
This verse was written by Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples, around 80-90 AD. He wrote this for Jewish Christians and early followers of Jesus to understand the hypocrisy in their community leaders during a time when religious purity was highly valued.
Living It Out Today
In modern life, we might see people who always put on a perfect facade online or in public but act very differently behind closed doors, showing dishonesty or selfishness. This verse reminds us that true goodness comes from within and affects our daily actions.
Topics
hypocrisymoralityintegrityreligious practicesinner puritytrue righteousness
Related Verses
Proverbs 23:7Mark 7:21-23Romans 2:17-24James 1:26-27Luke 11:39-40
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the scribes and Pharisees mentioned?
The scribes were experts in Jewish law, while the Pharisees were a religious group known for strict adherence to rules. Jesus often criticized them for hypocrisy.
What does 'extortion' mean in this context?
'Extortion' here refers to using power or threats to take money from others unfairly, which was a common issue among some religious leaders of the time.
How can we avoid hypocrisy like those mentioned in Matthew 23:25?
To avoid hypocrisy, it's important to ensure that our actions and words align. We should work on being honest and ethical both privately and publicly.
Is this verse applicable only to religious people?
While the verse speaks directly to religious leaders, its message about hypocrisy can be applied universally; it encourages everyone to ensure their internal qualities match what they show externally.