Saying 89: Washing the Outside of the Cup
Why do you wash the outside of the cup? Do you not understand that whoever made the inside also made the outside?
Commentary
Matthew and Luke use the cup to attack hypocrisy. Thomas uses it for the collapse of inside and outside into one thing, exactly as in saying 22 — the same image, a different argument.
Parallels
Luke 11:39–40; Matthew 23:25–26
Sayings on the same themes
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- Saying 34 Saying 34: The Blind Leading the Blind If a blind person leads a blind person, both of them fall into a pit.
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- Saying 114 Saying 114: Simon Peter and Mary Simon Peter says Mary should leave, because women are not worthy of life. Jesus answers that he will guide her so that…