“Pretty is as pretty does,” is an expression my mother and grandmother used often When I was a child, it meant I should behave myself. Later, its interpretation included not only looking good, but also acting gracious and kind. Now, it encompasses greater spiritual meaning. Matthew 23 gives examples of appropriate outside appearance coupled with inappropriate attitude and behavior.

Jesus exclaims, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees!” He calls them hypocrites, snakes, blind guides and fools.

The Pharisees dressed in long tasseled robes, occupied the best seats in the synagogues, and loved being called, “Rabbi.” They appeared righteous and impressive and decorated graves of the righteous, but were full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Outside, they were clean like beautiful whitewashed tombs, but they were actually full of greed and self-indulgence.

Jesus told the people to obey the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, but not do what they did, because they didn’t practice what they preached.

He advised cleaning the inside of the cup and dish first, and then the outside would also be clean. If our behavior is godly, we’ll look beautiful.