And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

LUKE 11:39KJV
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Luke 11:39 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:39 mean?

Luke 11:39 describes Jesus telling the Pharisees that, although they carefully clean the outside of their cups and dishes, their hearts are full of greed and evil. The verse points out the difference between outward appearances and inward reality, warning against focusing only on what others can see.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to a Pharisee who had invited him to eat. The Pharisees were a religious group known for strict observance of rituals and rules. Jesus uses the image of washing cups and plates to highlight how the Pharisees pay attention to external religious practices but ignore the corruption and selfishness inside themselves.

The Greek behind Luke 11:39

  • The word for "ravening" is ἁρπαγή (harpagē), which means robbery or greed. This shows that Jesus is accusing the Pharisees not just of minor faults but of serious moral failings like taking advantage of others.
  • The word for "wickedness" is πονηρία (ponēria), often understood as general evil or moral corruption. This emphasizes that the problem is deep within, not just a surface issue.
  • The word for "outside" is ἔξωθεν (exōthen), meaning the external or visible part. This highlights the contrast Jesus is making between what people see and what is hidden inside.

Why Luke 11:39 matters

  • Luke 11:39 clears up the common misunderstanding that religious rituals or outward actions are enough to make someone righteous; Jesus insists that inner character matters more.
  • The verse emphasizes that God cares about the heart and motives, not just visible behavior or traditions.
  • This verse connects to a larger theme in Luke where Jesus challenges hypocrisy and calls for genuine faith, not just a show of religion.

Where else these words appear

“ravening” Greek G724 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
  • Hebrews 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

“platter” Greek G4094 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
  • Matthew 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
  • Mark 6:25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

“wickedness” Greek G4189 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
  • Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

“outside” Greek G1855 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
  • Mark 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.