Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

MATTHEW 23:28KJV
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Matthew 23:28 (KJV)

What does Matthew 23:28 mean?

Matthew 23:28 says that people can look righteous on the outside, but inside they may actually be full of hypocrisy and wrongdoing. Jesus is warning that outward appearances can hide a corrupt inner life.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders of his day, criticizing them for pretending to be good while secretly doing wrong. The setting is a public confrontation in Jerusalem, where Jesus is exposing the difference between how these leaders appear to others and what they are truly like inside. The verse highlights the danger of focusing on looking good to others instead of being honest and good at heart.

The Greek behind Matthew 23:28

  • ὑποκρίσεως (hypokriseōs): This word means "hypocrisy," which in Greek often referred to acting or pretending. Here, it points to the idea of putting on a show of goodness while hiding true motives.
  • ἀνομίας (anomias): This word is translated as "iniquity" and means "lawlessness" or "doing what is wrong." It emphasizes not just mistakes, but a deeper disregard for what is right.
  • ἔξωθεν (exōthen): This word means "outwardly" or "on the outside." It stresses that the righteousness seen by others is only on the surface, not a reflection of the inner reality.
  • ἄνθρωποις (anthrōpois): This word means "men" or "people." The verse points out that the concern is with how things look to other people, not to God.

Why Matthew 23:28 matters

  • Matthew 23:28 clears up the common misunderstanding that looking religious or moral is the same as actually being good inside.
  • The verse emphasizes Jesus’s concern with the heart and inner motives, not just outward actions or appearances.
  • This verse connects to the larger section where Jesus warns against religious hypocrisy, showing that true righteousness is more than just following rules or impressing others.

Where else these words appear

“hypocrisy” Greek G5272 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 12:15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
  • Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
  • James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

“full” Greek G3324 · used in 8 verses

  • John 19:29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
  • Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
  • James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

“outwardly” 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 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
  • 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.

“iniquity” Greek G458 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
  • Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
  • Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.