Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 11:39. It's a really interesting one that touches on our relationship with our thoughts and actions. Here’s a simplified explanation: What it means in simple terms: “Now the Lord said to him, ‘Do you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter? But your inner spirit is full of wickedness.’” Let's unpack it piece by piece: "The Lord said..." : This indicates a serious message from God. "...to him..." : This refers to someone who’s speaking to Jesus or a leader. “Do you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter?” : This is the core of the verse. Pharisees were a group of Jewish leaders during the time Jesus lived. They were very strict about rules and traditions – they believed it was important to follow every detail, even seemingly small things. This question is asking if they were getting overly concerned with making the outside of something (like a cup or platter) spotless. “But your inner spirit is full of wickedness.” : This is the crucial part. It’s saying that your thoughts and feelings are not good . It means you're prone to being selfish, greedy, angry, or making bad choices – things that go against God’s will. What it’s teaching us: The verse is urging us to focus on what’s inside rather than just how something looks on the outside. It’s a reminder that our true character and intentions are more important than outward appearances. It's about being honest with ourselves about our hearts and minds. In essence, it’s a warning against vanity (being overly concerned with appearance) and urging us to cultivate a pure and good heart. Why is this relevant today? This verse speaks to the idea of avoiding things like: Greed: Focusing on acquiring more than you need. Selfishness: Being only concerned about your own needs. Pride: Thinking you're better than others. Do you want me to explain any part of this in more detail, or perhaps explore the significance of the Pharisees in a bit more depth?