Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

MATTHEW 23:29KJV
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Matthew 23:29 (KJV)

What does Matthew 23:29 mean?

Matthew 23:29 records Jesus condemning the scribes and Pharisees for being hypocrites, because they build and decorate the tombs of the prophets and the righteous. Jesus points out that honoring these figures outwardly does not match the true attitude of the religious leaders, since their actions do not reflect the values of those they claim to respect.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to the religious leaders of his day during a series of strong warnings and criticisms. The setting is a public confrontation in Jerusalem, where Jesus exposes the gap between the leaders’ public displays of honor for past prophets and their actual behavior. The verse highlights the irony that the scribes and Pharisees beautify the graves of those who spoke for God, even though their own hearts and actions are not aligned with the prophets’ teachings.

The Greek behind Matthew 23:29

  • ὑποκριταί (hypokritai, "hypocrites"): This Greek word refers to someone who acts or pretends, often used for stage actors. Here, Jesus uses it to call out the religious leaders for putting on a show of honoring the prophets while not truly following their message.
  • κοσμεῖτε (kosmeite, "garnish" or "decorate"): This word means to adorn or beautify. The emphasis is on outward appearance—making the tombs look impressive—rather than genuine respect or obedience to the prophets’ teachings.
  • τάφους (taphous, "tombs") and μνημεῖα (mnēmeia, "sepulchres"): Both words refer to burial places, but the use of two terms underscores the effort the leaders put into honoring the dead, contrasting with their treatment of the living righteous.

Why Matthew 23:29 matters

  • Matthew 23:29 exposes the difference between outward religious actions and inward reality, warning against honoring spiritual heroes in name only while ignoring their message.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Matthew 23, where Jesus repeatedly calls out the religious leaders for hypocrisy and empty ritual.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify that Jesus is not criticizing the act of honoring the prophets, but rather the insincerity and self-righteousness behind the leaders’ actions.

Where else these words appear

“tombs” Greek G5028 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
  • Matthew 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
  • Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

“garnish” Greek G2885 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
  • Luke 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
  • 1 Peter 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

“hypocrites” Greek G5273 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • Matthew 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
  • Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

“Woe” Greek G3759 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Mark 13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
  • Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!