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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 23:19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/23-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/40_Mat_23_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 23:19 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You blind men! 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Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How blind! For which is more important—the gift on the altar or the altar that makes the gift sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Blind! For which <i>is</i> greater, the gift, or the altar sanctifying the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Ye</i> fools and blind: for whether <i>is</i> greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You blind men, which is more important, the offering or the altar that sanctifies the offering?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You blind men, which is more important, the offering or the altar that sanctifies the offering?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You [spiritually] blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Blind people! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Blind people! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ye blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Are you blind? Which is more important, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Ye blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You blind men! What is more important, the gift or the altar that makes the gift holy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How blind you are! Which is the more important, the gift or the altar which makes the gift holy? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You blind men! Which is more important, the gift or the altar that makes the gift holy? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You are blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You blind people. For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Ye fools, and blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"You are blind! Why, which is greater? --the offering, or the altar which makes the offering holy?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are foolish and blind! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Fools and blind! For which [is] greater, the gift, or the altar that is sanctifying the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Blind! For which <i>is</i> greater, the gift, or the altar sanctifying the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Fools and blind! for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that is sanctifying the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Foolish and blind: for which is the greater, the gift, or the altar, consecrating the gifts?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Ye blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />How blind you are! For which is greater: the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O you fools and blind! for which is greater, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Fools and blind men! Which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Fools and blind! for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Ye blind: for which is the greater, the gift, or the altar which sanctifies the gift?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Ye fools and blind! which is the greater, the gift, or the altar which consecrates the gift?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />ye blind fools, which is most sacred, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"You are blind! Why, which is greater? --the offering, or the altar which makes the offering holy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Ye blind! for which is greater?the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>O foolish and blind! for which is greater, the gift, or the altar which sanctifieth the gift?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/23-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6839" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5185.htm" title="5185: typhloi (Adj-VMP) -- Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.">You blind men!</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-NNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">Which</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: meizon (Adj-NNS-C) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">is greater:</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1435.htm" title="1435: dōron (N-NNS) -- A gift, present. A present; specially, a sacrifice.">gift,</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2379.htm" title="2379: thysiastērion (N-NNS) -- An altar (for sacrifice). From a derivative of thusia; a place of sacrifice, i.e. An altar.">altar</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/37.htm" title="37: hagiazon (V-PPA-NNS) -- From hagios; to make holy, i.e. purify or consecrate; to venerate.">that makes it sacred?</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1435.htm" title="1435: dōron (N-ANS) -- A gift, present. A present; specially, a sacrifice."></a> </span> <span class="reftext">20</span>So then, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23-24</a></span><br />So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-3.htm">Matthew 15:3-6</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? / For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-9.htm">Mark 7:9-13</a></span><br />He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition. / For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a></span><br />Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-15.htm">Luke 16:15</a></span><br />So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-13.htm">John 2:13-16</a></span><br />When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. / In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. / So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48-50</a></span><br />However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22-23</a></span><br />You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? / You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16-17</a></span><br />Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? / If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a></span><br />Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-1.htm">Hebrews 9:1-5</a></span><br />Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. / A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11-14</a></span><br />But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. / For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1-4</a></span><br />For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. / If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins. / Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">1 Peter 1:18-19</a></span><br />For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-22.htm">Revelation 21:22</a></span><br />But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?</p><p class="hdg">or.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/29-37.htm">Exodus 29:37</a></b></br> Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/30-29.htm">Exodus 30:29</a></b></br> And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Important</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Sanctifies</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Sanctifieth</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Sanctifying</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/23-20.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/matthew/23-24.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/luke/11-40.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/mark/7-11.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/mark/1-7.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/matthew/24-15.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/matthew/27-16.htm">Important</a> <a href="/matthew/24-15.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/mark/1-44.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/mark/16-20.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-11.htm">Sanctifies</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-11.htm">Sanctifieth</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-13.htm">Sanctifying</a> <a href="/matthew/26-63.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The term "blind" is used metaphorically to describe their spiritual blindness and inability to discern true righteousness. In the broader biblical context, blindness often symbolizes a lack of understanding or insight (<a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Isaiah 42:18-20</a>). Jesus frequently criticized the Pharisees for their focus on external rituals rather than the heart of the law (<a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a>).<p><b>Which is greater:</b><br>This rhetorical question challenges the priorities and values of the religious leaders. It highlights their misguided emphasis on the wrong aspects of worship and religious practice. The question invites reflection on what truly holds spiritual significance, echoing themes found in the Old Testament where God desires mercy and knowledge of Him over ritual sacrifices (<a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>).<p><b>the gift,</b><br>The "gift" refers to offerings or sacrifices brought to the temple. In the Jewish tradition, these gifts were an essential part of worship and atonement. However, the religious leaders had become preoccupied with the material aspects of these offerings, neglecting the spiritual intent behind them. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God values the heart and intention behind offerings more than the offerings themselves (<a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>).<p><b>or the altar that makes it sacred?</b><br>The altar is central to Jewish worship, serving as the place where sacrifices are made to God. In the temple, the altar was considered holy because it was dedicated to God and His purposes. By asking this question, Jesus underscores the idea that the altar, representing God's presence and sanctification, is what imparts sacredness to the gift. This aligns with the biblical principle that holiness comes from God and His presence, not merely from human actions or offerings (<a href="/exodus/29-37.htm">Exodus 29:37</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>- The speaker of this verse, addressing the Pharisees and scribes with a rebuke for their misguided priorities and spiritual blindness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a></b><br>- Jewish religious leaders known for their strict adherence to the law and traditions, whom Jesus often criticized for their hypocrisy and legalism.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a></b><br>- A sacred place in the temple where offerings were made to God, symbolizing the presence and holiness of God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_gift.htm">The Gift</a></b><br>- Refers to the offerings or sacrifices brought to the altar, which the Pharisees considered more important than the altar itself.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city where the temple was located, serving as the religious and cultural center for the Jewish people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_blindness.htm">Spiritual Blindness</a></b><br>Jesus calls out the Pharisees for their inability to see the true spiritual priorities. We must examine our own lives for areas where we might be blind to God's priorities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/true_worship.htm">True Worship</a></b><br>The altar represents God's presence and holiness. Our worship should focus on God Himself, not just the rituals or offerings we bring.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heart_over_ritual.htm">Heart Over Ritual</a></b><br>God values the condition of our hearts over the external acts of worship. We should prioritize inner transformation and obedience to God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_warning.htm">Hypocrisy Warning</a></b><br>Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of valuing traditions over God's commands. We should strive for authenticity in our faith and practice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/sacredness_of_god's_presence.htm">Sacredness of God's Presence</a></b><br>The altar's sacredness comes from God's presence. We should approach God with reverence and prioritize His presence in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_christianity_based_on_reason.htm">What is God's redemption plan for humanity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'overrighteous_overwise'_mean.htm">What does 'not be overrighteous or overwise' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_lev._22_19-24's_rules_fit_modern_views.htm">How do Leviticus 22:19-24's strict requirements for unblemished animal sacrifices align with modern views on fairness and the value of imperfection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_mark_15_align_with_other_gospels.htm">How do the events described in Mark 15 align with differing crucifixion accounts in the other Gospels?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - Our Lord repeats the unanswerable argument of ver. 17. <span class="cmt_word">That sanctifieth the gift.</span> <a href="/exodus/29-37.htm">Exodus 29:37</a>. "It shall be an altar most holy; whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy" (comp. <a href="/ezekiel/41-22.htm">Ezekiel 41:22</a>). The offering is one with the altar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">You blind men!</span><br /><span class="grk">τυφλοί</span> <span class="translit">(typhloi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5185.htm">Strong's 5185: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Which</span><br /><span class="grk">τί</span> <span class="translit">(ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] greater:</span><br /><span class="grk">μεῖζον</span> <span class="translit">(meizon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> </span><span class="str2">Large, great, in the widest sense. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gift,</span><br /><span class="grk">δῶρον</span> <span class="translit">(dōron)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1435.htm">Strong's 1435: </a> </span><span class="str2">A gift, present. A present; specially, a sacrifice.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="grk">ἢ</span> <span class="translit">(ē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">altar</span><br /><span class="grk">θυσιαστήριον</span> <span class="translit">(thysiastērion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2379.htm">Strong's 2379: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar (for sacrifice). From a derivative of thusia; a place of sacrifice, i.e. An altar.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that makes it sacred?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁγιάζον</span> <span class="translit">(hagiazon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_37.htm">Strong's 37: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hagios; to make holy, i.e. purify or consecrate; to venerate.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:19 You blind fools! (Matt. 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