The term "whited" is often associated with the biblical metaphor of "whited sepulchers," which appears in the New Testament. This metaphor is used by Jesus Christ to describe the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. The imagery of "whited" or "whitewashed" is significant in understanding the biblical critique of outward appearances that mask inner corruption or impurity.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to "whited" is found in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus uses this term in a series of woes pronounced against the religious leaders of His time:

· Matthew 23:27 : "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 this passage, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their focus on external righteousness while neglecting the internal state of their hearts. The "whited" or "whitewashed" tombs serve as a powerful symbol of hypocrisy, where the exterior is clean and attractive, but the interior is filled with decay and death.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Jewish culture, tombs were often whitewashed to make them visible and to prevent people from accidentally coming into contact with them, which would render them ceremonially unclean according to Jewish law (Numbers 19:16). The practice of whitewashing tombs was particularly common before the Passover, ensuring that pilgrims would not become defiled.

The Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions, are criticized by Jesus for their emphasis on ritual purity and public displays of piety, while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). The metaphor of "whited sepulchers" underscores the danger of focusing solely on external observance without genuine inner transformation.

Theological Implications:

The use of "whited" in this context highlights the biblical theme of authenticity in one's relationship with God. It serves as a warning against the dangers of legalism and the temptation to prioritize human traditions over the heart of God's commandments. The critique of the Pharisees' hypocrisy is a call to self-examination for all believers, urging them to seek a faith that is sincere and rooted in love and truth.

The metaphor also points to the broader biblical narrative of God's desire for His people to be holy, not just in outward actions but in their innermost being. The prophets of the Old Testament frequently called Israel to repentance, emphasizing that true worship involves both external obedience and internal devotion (Isaiah 1:11-17; Micah 6:6-8).

Application for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the concept of being "whited" serves as a reminder to cultivate a faith that is genuine and transparent. It challenges Christians to examine their own lives for areas where they may be tempted to present a façade of righteousness while neglecting the deeper work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. The call to authenticity is a call to live out the gospel in both word and deed, reflecting the character of Christ in all aspects of life.(imp. & p. p.) of White.

Our Divine Master Compares the Religion of the Learned Pharisees " ...
... Address 34: Our divine master compares the religion of the learned Pharisees
"to whited sepulchers? Our divine master compares ...
/.../address 34 0 0 our divine master.htm

The King's Farewell
... 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.28. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the kings farewell.htm

Psalm XCVI.
... [4421] For they do not share it with the whole round world; and hence they are
not building in the house, but have erected a whited wall. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcvi.htm

ecce Iterum Crispinus!'
... Yes, and a Nebuchadnezzar, and a Caiaphas, an Annas, and a Judas all in one; a whited
wall, a whited sepulchre, full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. ...
/.../chapter xliii ecce iterum crispinus.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are
full of extortion', and Ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Chapter xix.
... was smitten with the hand by order of the high priest, what he seemed to say
contumeliously when he affirms, "God shall smite thee, thou whited wall," sounds ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xix.htm

Acts xxii. 17-20
... Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou
to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlviii acts xxii 17-20.htm

Matt. xxiii. 14
... After this, He again derides them for vainglory, calling them "whited sepulchers,"
[2686] and unto all adding, "ye hypocrites;" which thing is the cause of all ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiii matt xxiii 14.htm

Woes on the Pharisees
... for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but
are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." As the whited ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 67 woes on the.htm

An Humble, Affectionate, and Earnest Address to the Clergy
... human literature? Address 34: Our divine master compares the religion
of the learned Pharisees "to whited sepulchers? Address ...
/.../law/an humble affectionate and earnest address to the clergy/

Whited (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of White. Multi-Version Concordance Whited
(7 Occurrences). Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
/w/whited.htm - 8k

Plastered (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:14 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with whited plaster,
and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be ...
/p/plastered.htm - 8k

Ananias (11 Occurrences)
... Smarting under this unprovoked insult, Paul quickly replied, "God shall smite thee,
thou whited wall." Being reminded that Ananias was the high priest, to ...
/a/ananias.htm - 19k

White (756 Occurrences)

/w/white.htm - 9k

Within (400 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/w/within.htm - 36k

Whitewashed (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:15 Thus will I spend My fury upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed
it with whited plaster; and I will say unto you: The wall is no more ...
/w/whitewashed.htm - 7k

White-haired (2 Occurrences)
White-haired. Whited, White-haired. White-hot . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Whited, White-haired. White-hot . Reference Bible.
/w/white-haired.htm - 7k

Indeed (628 Occurrences)
... 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. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/i/indeed.htm - 34k

Torrents (17 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:11 say unto them that daub it with whited plaster, that it shall fall;
there shall be an overflowing shower, and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall ...
/t/torrents.htm - 10k

Plasterers (2 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:15 Thus will I spend My fury upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed
it with whited plaster; and I will say unto you: The wall is no more ...
/p/plasterers.htm - 6k

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