What does Luke 11:40 mean?

A Pharisee has invited Jesus to eat but is astonished that Jesus does not rinse His hands in compliance with the extra-biblical Oral Law. Jesus, appropriately enough, uses the metaphor of a cup and dish: it is of little use to wash the outside if the inside is unclean. In the same way, it does no good for someone to wash their hands if their hearts are filled with "greed and wickedness" (Luke 11:37–39).

The Pharisees seem to think that what matters is their reputation: people seeing what they do, rather than who they really are. The Gospels give several examples, such as washing before they eat, washing after visiting the marketplace, and washing "cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches" (Mark 7:4). They promise donations to the temple (Mark 7:11). They take the place of honor in the synagogue and expect reverence in the marketplace (Luke 11:43). They are so diligent that they tithe even the tiny leaves taken from herbs (Luke 11:42).

What the people don't see is that the money they promise to the temple should be used for their elderly parents (Mark 7:9–13). They expect others to live as they do but do nothing to help (Matthew 23:4). They not only ignore justice (Luke 11:42), but they also steal widow's homes (Luke 20:47).

God made the inside of the person as well as the outside, but it is what we allow in our hearts that determines who we are (Mark 7:14–23). Jesus will say later, "You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean" (Matthew 23:26).