The term "whitewashed" appears in the Bible as a metaphorical expression used to describe hypocrisy and superficial righteousness. It is primarily found in the New Testament, where Jesus uses it to criticize the religious leaders of His time. The imagery of whitewashing refers to the practice of covering something dirty or decayed with a layer of white paint or plaster to make it appear clean and pure on the outside, while the inside remains unchanged.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 23:27-28 : In one of His most scathing rebukes of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, Jesus 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 condemns the religious leaders for their outward show of piety, which masks their inner corruption and moral decay.

2. Acts 23:3 : The Apostle Paul uses a similar metaphor when he addresses 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 use of "whitewashed wall" highlights the hypocrisy of Ananias, who pretends to uphold the law while acting unjustly.

Theological Significance:

The concept of being "whitewashed" serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and the importance of genuine righteousness. It underscores the biblical teaching that God looks beyond outward appearances and judges the heart. The prophets of the Old Testament also echoed this theme, emphasizing that God desires mercy, justice, and a contrite heart over mere ritualistic observance (Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:11-17).

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient times, tombs were often whitewashed to make them visible and to prevent accidental defilement, as touching a grave would render a person ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:16). This practice provides the backdrop for Jesus' metaphor, as the Pharisees' outward religious observance was meant to be seen and admired, yet it concealed their spiritual deadness.

Application for Believers:

The metaphor of whitewashing challenges believers to examine their own lives for areas where they might be prioritizing external appearances over internal transformation. It calls Christians to pursue authenticity in their faith, ensuring that their actions align with their professed beliefs. The call to genuine repentance and transformation is central to the Christian life, as believers are urged to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 12:2).

In summary, the biblical use of "whitewashed" serves as a vivid illustration of the perils of hypocrisy and the necessity for true, inward righteousness that reflects the character of God.(imp. & p. p.) of Whitewash.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

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

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

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

Whitewashing Kilkenny Marble
... have seen in Ireland. The pillars are all of black marble; but the late
Bishop ordered them to be whitewashed. Indeed, marble is ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/whitewashing kilkenny marble.htm

The Flesh and the Spirit
... The outside of his life is whitewashed; but his heart may be as foul as ever; as
full as ever of selfishness, greediness, meanness. And what happens to him? ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxiii the flesh and.htm

What have I Done?
... it was rotten enough to be tinder for the devils tinder box." You may this day thus
stand before yourself your fellow creatures well whitewashed, and exceeding ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/what have i done.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

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

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

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

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

Try (84 Occurrences)
... have been able to bear? (WEY NIV). Acts 23:3 Then Paul said to him, "God
will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge ...
/t/try.htm - 31k

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