Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 23:25

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess." — Matthew 23:25 (ASV)

The outside of the cup and of the platter — The latter word in the Greek indicates what we would call a “side-dish,” as distinct from the “charger” of Matthew 14:11. The “outside” includes the inner surface (compare Mark 7:4 regarding the practice).

Are full of extortion and excess — The two words point to two things:

1. The source from which the food and wine came—the cup and platter were filled with, or from the proceeds of, extortion.
2. The outcome to which they led—they overflowed with unrestrained self-indulgence.