Matthew 23:25-26 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within they are full of robbery and excess. Blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the dish, that the outside of them may become clean also.”

Happy Sabbath!

A look at a couple of different Bible translations can give a better understanding of what is being said.

"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You clean the outside of cups and dishes. But inside they are full of greed and uncontrolled desires. You blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cups and dishes so that the outside may also be clean. (God's Word Translation)

"How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You clean the outside of your cup and plate, while the inside is full of what you have gotten by violence and selfishness. Blind Pharisee! Clean what is inside the cup first, and then the outside will be clean too! (Good News Bible)

In these texts Jesus is referring to the Pharisees' traditions about washing, which they strictly observed. In Mark 7:4 refers to this tradition;

And when they come from the market-place, they take no food till their hands are washed; and a number of other orders there are, which have been handed down to them to keep--washings of cups and pots and brass vessels. Mark 7:4

The Pharisees had many different traditions or practices which made them look good and holy on the outside, but did nothing for their hearts and souls. They were still filled with greed, selfishness, violence, and they still rejected Christ and His teachings. When a person concentrates on looking good to everyone else, they walk into dangerous territory. In order to look good, a person has to work so hard on how their home looks, how they're dressed, and how they act, that they have no more time to spend with Jesus who is the only One who can clean a person up on the inside if they just let Him do it.

Having a clean home, clean clothes, and a pleasant personality is important, but when we rely on those actions to make us look good and pure, those actions get in the way of our relationship with our Savior. Without the Lord in our lives, we are still filthy on the inside. The Pharisees were so full of themselves they didn't think they needed a Savior. They were going to clean themselves up, make themselves look good, and as long as no one knew the private matters, what difference did it make? It makes a big difference. God can always see the private actions and thoughts in our lives. He knows exactly where we stand with Him. Not only can God see everything, but seldom can a person hide their true personality or motives from anyone for very long. Usually other people eventually figure out what the person is really like. Unfortunately, if a church leader is one who is living a life apart from God, when their true self is found out, it can turn people away from God and anything to do with Christianity. 

We must open up our lives to Jesus and allow Him to clean us. Only then can we call ourselves Christians. Living for Christ, letting Him have control over our lives is what turns a person into a Christian.