The term "white-washed" in the Bible is primarily used metaphorically to describe hypocrisy and superficial righteousness. It conveys the idea of something that appears clean and pure on the outside but is corrupt or decayed on the inside. This imagery is vividly employed in the New Testament, particularly by Jesus Christ, to critique the religious leaders of His time.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 23:27-28 : Jesus uses the term "white-washed" in His scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees. He declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Here, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their outward show of piety, which masks their inner moral decay and insincerity.

2. Acts 23:3 : The Apostle Paul uses a similar metaphor when he confronts the high priest Ananias, saying, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck." Paul’s rebuke highlights the hypocrisy of those who claim to uphold the law while simultaneously breaking it.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient times, tombs were often whitewashed to make them visible and to prevent accidental ritual impurity from contact with the dead. The practice of whitewashing served a practical purpose but also became a powerful metaphor for hypocrisy. The white exterior of the tombs symbolized purity and cleanliness, while the interior contained death and decay. This contrast between appearance and reality made the metaphor particularly poignant in the context of religious and moral instruction.

Theological Implications:

The use of "white-washed" as a metaphor underscores the biblical emphasis on inner righteousness over external appearances. It serves as a warning against the dangers of legalism and self-righteousness, where individuals focus on outward compliance with religious norms while neglecting the transformation of the heart. The Bible consistently teaches that God values sincerity, integrity, and genuine faith over mere ritualistic observance.

Application for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the metaphor of being "white-washed" serves as a call to self-examination and authenticity in one's spiritual life. It challenges individuals to align their inner character with their outward actions and to pursue a faith that is genuine and transformative. The call to avoid hypocrisy and to cultivate a heart that reflects the love and holiness of God remains a central tenet of Christian discipleship.2867. koniao -- to plaster over
... plaster over. Word Origin from konia (dust) Definition to plaster over NASB
Word Usage whitewashed (2). whiten, whitewash. From konia ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2867.htm - 6k

Thankful Service.
... stately services. So they would give the Almighty a white-washed building,
whilst they dwell in a fair and costly mansion. They ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lix thankful service.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... of whitewash. Carter, writing of Westminster Abbey, records one thing with
hearty gratitude. It had not been whitewashed. It was ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

1875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower ...
... to other sufferers tossing feverishly in hospital wards, with nothing softer for
the tired eyes to rest on than the endless stretch of whitewashed walls, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vi 1875-1877 mrs ways.htm

Faith and Life
... holiness of life, but have denied the faith; these are comparable unto the Pharisees
of old, of whom the Master said, they were "whitewashed sepulchres;" they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/faith and life.htm

Acts XXIII
... found vent in a burst of anger. (3) "Then said Paul to him, God shall smite
thee, thou whitewashed wall. And do you sit to judge ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxiii.htm

From a Hindu Point of view
... As you sit in the corner of this verandah you see a little temple fitted between
two whitewashed pillars, roughly built and rudely decorated, but in this early ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxvi from a hindu.htm

The Two Debtors
... a sinner, but she is a penitent, and is on the road to be a saint, and having been
washed, she is a great deal cleaner than thou art, who art only white-washed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the two debtors.htm

John Chapter xvi. 12, 13 (Continued).
... in secret, and under the name of spiritual, as things which cannot be understood
by the carnal, may seem not only capable of being whitewashed by plausible ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xcviii john chapter xvi.htm

Li. Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect.
... That they might not touch graves and be made unclean without knowing it,
the Jews white-washed their graves and tombs once a year. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/li dining with a pharisee.htm

Jesus Condemns those who Pretend to be Good
... "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs,
beautiful outside, but inside full of dead men's bones and filth. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus condemns those who pretend.htm

Whitewashed (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Whitewashed (3 Occurrences). ... (WEY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Acts
23:3 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! ...
/w/whitewashed.htm - 7k

White-washed (1 Occurrence)
White-washed. Whitewashed, White-washed. Whither . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Whitewashed, White-washed. Whither . Reference Bible.
/w/white-washed.htm - 6k

Whitewash (7 Occurrences)

/w/whitewash.htm - 9k

Violation (6 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:3 then Paul said unto him, 'God is about to smite thee, thou whitewashed
wall, and thou -- thou dost sit judging me according to the law, and ...
/v/violation.htm - 8k

Violate (14 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:3 then Paul said unto him, 'God is about to smite thee, thou whitewashed
wall, and thou -- thou dost sit judging me according to the law, and ...
/v/violate.htm - 10k

Violating (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:3 then Paul said unto him, 'God is about to smite thee, thou whitewashed
wall, and thou -- thou dost sit judging me according to the law, and ...
/v/violating.htm - 8k

Outside (215 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:27 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are just
like whitewashed sepulchres, the outside of which pleases the eye, though ...
/o/outside.htm - 36k

Ordering (31 Occurrences)
... him like that. (WEB). Acts 23:3 "Before long," exclaimed Paul, "God will
strike you, you white-washed wall! Are you sitting there ...
/o/ordering.htm - 16k

Grave (128 Occurrences)
... Public burial-places were assigned to the poor (Jeremiah 26:23; 2 Kings 23:6). Graves
were usually closed with stones, which were whitewashed, to warn ...
/g/grave.htm - 37k

Inside (185 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:27 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are just
like whitewashed sepulchres, the outside of which pleases the eye, though ...
/i/inside.htm - 36k

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