“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 11:39 (KJV)
“Then the Lord said to him, ‘You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness!’”– Luke 11:39 (NLT)
“The Master said, ‘You’re hopeless, you religious scholars! You’re starry-eyed, you Pharisees! You keep clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but foul, unsightly inside, you’re filled with greed and “grime.”’– Luke 11:39 (MSG)
What Does Luke 11:39 Mean?
In Luke 11:39, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, a religious group known for their strict adherence to Jewish law and rituals. Yet, despite their outward appearances of piety and cleanliness, Jesus points out that their inner lives are corrupted by greed and wickedness. This verse reveals a critical aspect of human nature – the tendency to focus more on outward appearances than on inner truth and righteousness.
The metaphor of a dirty cup illustrates this perfectly. We can have an elegant exterior while our hearts may be far from pure. The Pharisees were doing all the right things publicly; they were respected for their knowledge and devotion. However, Jesus saw through the façade, recognizing that their hearts were filled with negativity and malice. This teaches us that God is more concerned with our inner conditions than our external behaviors. It is a reminder to check our hearts and intentions regularly, ensuring they align with God’s ways.
Luke 11:39 Explanation and Commentary
Jesus often used strong language to challenge the religious and cultural norms of His time. By confronting the Pharisees, He was not merely criticizing their actions but their very hearts. This serves as a powerful lesson for all of us. We might be leading a seemingly perfect life, complete with attention to rules and righteousness, but if our hearts are not right before God, we miss the point.
Understanding the heart of this teaching requires us to reflect on our lives. Are we acting kindly and generously, but harboring jealousy or bitterness toward others? Are we performing charitable deeds but doing so in order to gain recognition? This verse calls us to be authentic believers, living lives that reflect inner purity and sincerity. The true measure of faith is not what we show on the outside but what flows from our hearts. We must cultivate compassion, love, and honesty, allowing these virtues to shine outwardly.
Cross-referencing this with Matthew 23:25-26, which states, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” We see a consistent teaching from Jesus—it’s our hearts that He emphasizes, illustrating the importance of integrity.
Christ invites us into a relationship marked not just by rules but by a deep, personal connection rooted in love and grace. As we mirror Jesus’ heart, our actions will naturally reflect it. Ask yourself—what does your inner world look like? Are we clean inside as we strive to be outside? These are the questions that we should ponder in seeking a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Context of Luke 11:39
This passage occurs during a meal that Jesus has with some Pharisees. It is essential to view this verse within its context. The entire chapter begins with a dialogue about prayer, emphasizing that genuine communication with God comes from an authentic heart. The Pharisees invited Jesus to dine with them, likely with great expectations. Instead, He exposes their hypocrisy, which must have shocked them. They had set themselves up as spiritual leaders yet remained blind to their shortcomings.
In the chapters leading to this moment, Jesus had been performing miracles and teaching profound truths about the kingdom of God. His popularity among the common people was rising, yet the religious leaders felt threatened by His authority. They often took offense at His words, pushing back against His teachings. In this moment, Jesus used their own customs against them, illustrating His message with poignant clarity. This context is vital as it helps us appreciate the weight and challenge of His words.
These interactions highlight a deep calling not only for the Pharisees but for every believer. We can’t ignore that Jesus desires true devotion over empty rituals. This context urges us today to reflect on our faith practices and relationship with God. Are we just going through the motions, or are we genuinely seeking and worshipping Him with our whole selves?
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Luke 11:39
The first part of this verse points out that the Pharisees focused on cleaning the outside of dishes. This symbolizes their obsession with outward appearances. The implication is that their devotion is superficial, aiming to impress others rather than God. As we reflect on our lives, we should ask ourselves—are our actions performed more for the sake of appearances?
Next, Jesus reveals the internal reality of their hearts, describing them as full of ravening and wickedness. This vivid language serves to shake us from our comfort zones. The term “ravening” refers to greed, signifying a desire that consumes. It speaks to how our desires, if not checked, can turn into something all-consuming and dark. Wickedness is a broader term that encompasses moral corruption. It is vital for us to recognize this warning.
This duality—of clean use on the outside versus a dirty state on the inside—presents us with stark contrasts. It encourages us to examine our inner lives closely. We must evaluate our thoughts, motivations, and desires. Are these things we keep hidden pushing us further away from God?
The call is not just to recognize where we may be falling short but to actively strive for transformation. As the Apostle Paul encourages in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Our relationship with Christ offers us an opportunity to clean our hearts and align ourselves with His will.
Lessons to Learn From Luke 11:39
This verse teaches us critical lessons about authenticity in our faith. It invites us into a discussion about how we can live genuine lives before God and others. Our actions should not merely be a display for social validation, but rather emanate from sincere motivations. We must strive to cleanse our hearts, recognizing that spiritual growth is an inward journey that manifests outwardly.
Moreover, it reminds us of the importance of humility. The Pharisees might have been filled with pride in their legalistic approach to worship. Conversely, we ought to approach God with open hearts, willing to accept correction and guidance. Jesus’ interaction with them exposes their inability to confront their faults, and in doing so, it teaches us to be self-aware, humble, and teachable.
As we reflect on this teaching in our everyday lives, it is crucial to understand that grace must lead us in our journey towards transformation. Accepting God’s grace invites us into deeper intimacy. In analyzing our lives, we may uncover areas that require repentance, but we can rely on God’s love and forgiveness to guide us toward genuine restoration.
We should ask ourselves daily—are we exhibiting both purity of heart and action? Can our lives speak truth, love, and compassion in a world desperately needing them? The lessons from Luke 11:39 compel us to embody the integrity that true faith calls for.
Final Thoughts
As we ponder on Luke 11:39, let us invite God’s cleanse in our hearts. Let us move toward introspection, recognizing both our struggles and God’s grace. This process alone can guide us into deeper faith and authenticity. Jesus’ message here serves as a challenge—not just to the Pharisees but to each one of us in our walks of faith.
By focusing both on our inner and outer lives, we can authentically reflect the heart of Jesus in our communities. The clarity of this passage offers guidance in navigating the complexities of our spiritual lives. We want a relationship filled with integrity, one that reflects His love and compassion. Let’s be sure to take small, meaningful actions toward this goal each day.
If you wish to explore further, check out our discussions on Matthew 11, or learn about the beginnings in Genesis 18. Each story reveals God’s enduring love and the importance of aligning our hearts with His. Let us continue this journey together.