Whited sepulcher (Matthew 23:27)

bible verse

“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 23:27)

meaning

Whited sepulchres are hypocrites.

origin and application

Jesus was critical of the hypocritical behaviour of Pharisees and teachers of the law by referring to them as “whited sepulchres”. Whited sepulchres are whitewashed tombs. Their outside is beautiful and decorated with flowers and monuments, but their inside is filthiness. In those days, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were highly respected, wore boxes with scripture verses on forehead and arms, but they did not practise what they preached, and were corrupted and wicked at heart. Jesus said that these hypocrites were to be condemned.

example