Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
From extortion and excess (ec arpaghv kai akrasiav). A much more serious accusation. These punctilious observers of the external ceremonies did not hesitate at robbery (arpagev) and graft (akrasiav), lack of control. A modern picture of wickedness in high places both civil and ecclesiastical where the moral elements in life are ruthlessly trodden under foot. Of course, the idea is for both the outside ektov and the inside (entov) of the cup and the platter (fine side dish). But the inside is the more important. Note the change to singular in verse Matthew 23:26 as if Jesus in a friendlier tone pleads with a Pharisee to mend his ways.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Matthew 23:25:
Matthew 23:13
Luke 11:39
1 Corinthians 7:5
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.