Chapter 204 of 404

Unwashed Hearts

Jesus complains that Pharisees insist on cleaning the outside of the cup, but do not first clean their hearts (Matt 23:25-26//Lk 11:39-41). In using this image, he alludes to a debate that was raging between two schools of Pharisees precisely in his own generation, although he is employing the image figuratively.¹³⁶

The two Pharisaic schools, Shammaites and Hillelites, divided over whether one should purify the inside or the outside of a cup first. The Shammaite school of Pharisees was less concerned whether one cleansed the inner or outer part first. By contrast, the Hillelite Pharisees thought that the outside of cups was typically unclean anyway and thus, like Jesus, insisted on cleansing the inner part first.¹³⁷

On the surface, Jesus’ statement challenges Shammaite practice (though for the effect of the metaphor); that the Shammaites predominated in Jesus’ time but not after 70 supports the saying’s authenticity.¹³⁸ Other features also support the saying’s authenticity. That Luke’s version (Lk 11:41) reads “give in charity” rather than “cleanse” suggests an original Aramaic saying like the one Matthew records; the former (which fits Luke’s theology of charity, and could be construed as abrogating purity laws) represents the Aramaic zakkau, the latter (which fits the saying itself) represents the Aramaic dakkau.¹³⁹ But Jesus’ ultimate challenge goes beyond ritual purity practices to the point he illustrates: the heart comes first (Mk 7:18-23).

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