Matthew 23:16
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Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Woe unto you, ye blind guides--Striking expression this of the ruinous effects of erroneous teaching. Our Lord, here and in some following verses, condemns the subtle distinctions they made as to the sanctity of oaths--distinctions invented only to promote their own avaricious purposes. which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing--He has incurred no debt. but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple--meaning not the gold that adorned the temple itself, but the Corban, set apart for sacred uses (see on Mat 15:5). he is a debtor!--that is, it is no longer his own, even though the necessities of the parent might require it. We know who the successors of these men are. but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty--It should have been rendered, "he is a debtor," as in Mat 23:16.
Open source ↗23:16-22 The religious leaders declared certain oaths less binding in order to commit fraud. Jesus calls for honest fulfillment of commitments (see 5:33-37).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.
You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?
Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.