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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.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/23-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/23-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/23-15.htm" title="Matthew 23:15">◄</a> Matthew 23:16 <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm" title="Matthew 23:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/23.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Woe to you, blind guides! You say, &#8216If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.&#8217 <a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Blind guides! What sorrow awaits you! For you say that it means nothing to swear ‘by God’s Temple,’ but that it is binding to swear ‘by the gold in the Temple.’ <a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ <a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.’ <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Woe to you, blind guides, those saying, 'Whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever shall swear by the gold of the temple is bound by his oath.' <a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a> Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! <a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a> “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ <a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’ <a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Woe to you, blind guides, who say, &#8216Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’ <a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the sanctuary, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is obligated.’ <a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, that is nothing (non-binding); but whoever swears [an oath] by the gold of the temple is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’ <a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever takes an oath by the temple, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gold of the temple is bound by his oath.’ <a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Woe to you, blind guides, who say, Whoever takes an oath by the sanctuary, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by his oath.&#8217 <a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor. <a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You are in for trouble! You are supposed to lead others, but you are blind. You teach that it doesn't matter if a person swears by the temple. But you say it does matter if someone swears by the gold in the temple. <a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor. <a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "How horrible it will be for you, you blind guides! You say, 'To swear an oath by the temple doesn't mean a thing. But to swear an oath by the gold in the temple means a person must keep his oath.' <a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> "How terrible for you, blind guides! You teach, 'If someone swears by the Temple, he isn't bound by his vow; but if he swears by the gold in the Temple, he is bound.' <a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> "How terrible it will be for you, blind guides! You say, 'Whoever swears an oath by the sanctuary is excused, but whoever swears an oath by the gold of the sanctuary must keep his oath.' <a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a> "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple is bound by nothing. But whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound by the oath.' <a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.' <a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Woe to you, ye blind guides, who say, Whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor. <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Alas for you, you blind guides, who say, "'Whoever swears by the Sanctuary it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, is bound by the oath.' <a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a> “Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Woe to you, blind guides, who are saying, Whoever may swear by the temple, it is nothing, but whoever may swear by the gold of the temple—is debtor! <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Woe to you, blind guides, those saying, 'Whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever shall swear by the gold of the temple is bound by his oath.' <a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Woe to you, blind guides, who are saying, Whoever may swear by the sanctuary, it is nothing, but whoever may swear by the gold of the sanctuary -- is debtor! <a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Woe to you blind guides, saying, Whoever should swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever should swear by the gold of the temple, he is indebted!<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Woe to you blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but he that shall swear by the gold of the temple, is a debtor. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Woe to you, blind guides, who say: ‘Whoever will have sworn by the temple, it is nothing. But whoever will have sworn by the gold of the temple is obligated.’ <a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a> “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Woe to you, blind guides, for you say, Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold which is in the temple, he is guilty! <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Woe to you blind guides, for you say, 'Whoever swears by The Temple, it is nothing', but 'Whoever swears by the gold of The Temple is liable!'<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Alas for you, blind guides! who say, Whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, becomes a debtor. <a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Woe unto you, blind guides, who are saying, Whosoever may swear by the temple it is nothing; but whosoever may swear by the gold of the temple, he is debtor.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Wo unto you ye blind guides! who say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, it is binding. <a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a> wo unto you, ye blind guides, who say, if any man swear by the temple he is under no obligation: but if he swear by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath. <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Alas for you, you blind guides, who say, "'Whoever swears by the Sanctuary it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, is bound by the oath.' <a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whosoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Wo unto you, <Fr>ye<FR> blind guides, who say, If any <Fr>one<FR> swear by the temple, it is nothing;<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/23-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6807" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a> …15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. 16<a href="/greek/3759.htm" title="3759: Ouai (I) -- Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; woe.">Woe</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you,</a> <a href="/greek/5185.htm" title="5185: typhloi (Adj-VMP) -- Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.">blind</a> <a href="/greek/3595.htm" title="3595: hodēgoi (N-VMS) -- A leader, guide; met: an instructor, teacher. From hodos and hegeomai; a conductor (teacher).">guides!</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-VMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">You</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-VMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">say,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: Hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">‘If anyone</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/3660.htm" title="3660: omosē (V-ASA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath.">swears</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- 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/3485.htm" title="3485: naō (N-DMS) -- A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple.">temple,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">it means</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: ouden (Adj-NNS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">nothing;</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: d’ (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">if anyone</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/3660.htm" title="3660: omosē (V-ASA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath.">swears</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- 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/5557.htm" title="5557: chrysō (N-DMS) -- Perhaps from the base of chraomai; gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin.">gold</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/3485.htm" title="3485: naou (N-GMS) -- A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple.">temple,</a> <a href="/greek/3784.htm" title="3784: opheilei (V-PIA-3S) -- Or, its prolonged form opheileo probably from the base of ophelos; to owe; figuratively, to be under obligation; morally, to fail in duty.">he is bound by his oath.’</a> 17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">Matthew 5:33-37</a> Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ... <a href="/james/5-12.htm">James 5:12</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a> Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. <a href="/jeremiah/7-4.htm">Jeremiah 7:4</a> Do not trust in deceptive words, saying: ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.’ <a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9-11</a> Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’? / Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD. <a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a> Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” <a href="/matthew/15-3.htm">Matthew 15:3-9</a> 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,’ ... <a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42-44</a> 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. / Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. / Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.” <a href="/luke/16-14.htm">Luke 16:14-15</a> The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus. / 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. <a href="/romans/2-19.htm">Romans 2:19-24</a> if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, / an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— / you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? ... <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a> Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. <a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10-11</a> Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: <a href="/ezekiel/13-10.htm">Ezekiel 13:10-16</a> Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built, / tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth. / Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’ ... <a href="/ezekiel/22-28.htm">Ezekiel 22:28</a> Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken. <a href="/zechariah/11-17.htm">Zechariah 11:17</a> Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Woe to you, you blind guides, which say, Whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!ye blind.<a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17,19,24,26</a> Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? … <a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a> Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.<a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10,11</a> His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber… Whosoever shall swear by the temple.<a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">Matthew 5:33,34</a> Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: … <a href="/james/5-12.htm">James 5:12</a> But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.it is.<a href="/matthew/15-5.htm">Matthew 15:5,6</a> But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; … <a href="/mark/7-10.htm">Mark 7:10-13</a> For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: … he is.<a href="/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3</a> For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/matthew/21-14.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/matthew/22-13.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/matthew/18-24.htm">Debtor</a> <a href="/matthew/10-9.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/matthew/23-10.htm">Guides</a> <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Means</a> <a href="/matthew/14-9.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/numbers/30-7.htm">Obligated</a> <a href="/jonah/4-10.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/malachi/2-11.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/matthew/5-36.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-4.htm">Swears</a> <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/romans/1-14.htm">Debtor</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/matthew/23-24.htm">Guides</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Means</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Obligated</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Swears</a> <a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div>1. <a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a> 34. <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Woe to you, blind guides! This phrase is a strong rebuke from Jesus directed at the religious leaders of the time, specifically the Pharisees and scribes. The term "woe" is an expression of lament and judgment, indicating the seriousness of their spiritual blindness. The leaders are called "blind guides," highlighting their inability to lead the people in truth and righteousness. This echoes <a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10</a>, where leaders are described as blind watchmen, and it underscores the failure of these leaders to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; Here, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their flawed teachings regarding oaths. The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship and held great significance. However, the Pharisees had developed a system where swearing by the temple was considered non-binding. This reflects a legalistic approach that prioritized technicalities over genuine integrity and truthfulness, contrary to the spirit of the law as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-12.htm">Leviticus 19:12</a>.but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ The Pharisees taught that swearing by the gold of the temple was binding, which reveals their misplaced priorities. The gold likely refers to the offerings and adornments within the temple, emphasizing material wealth over the sanctity of the temple itself. This reflects a broader theme in Jesus' teachings, where He condemns the prioritization of material wealth over spiritual devotion (<a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a>). The focus on gold over the temple itself shows a misunderstanding of what is truly sacred, aligning with Jesus' earlier teachings in <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a> about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, addressing the religious leaders of His time, specifically the Pharisees and scribes. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a> Jewish religious leaders known for their strict adherence to the law and traditions, whom Jesus often criticized for their hypocrisy. 3. <a href="/topical/t/temple.htm">Temple</a> The holy place in Jerusalem where Jews worshiped God, central to Jewish religious life. 4. <a href="/topical/g/gold_of_the_temple.htm">Gold of the Temple</a> Refers to the offerings and adornments within the temple, which the Pharisees considered more binding in oaths than the temple itself. 5. <a href="/topical/o/oaths.htm">Oaths</a> Promises or vows made invoking something sacred, which were common in Jewish tradition.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_in_leadership.htm">Hypocrisy in Leadership</a> Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their focus on external rituals over genuine faith. Leaders today must prioritize authenticity and integrity over mere appearances. <a href="/topical/v/value_of_integrity.htm">Value of Integrity</a> The emphasis on the gold over the temple reflects misplaced priorities. Believers should value truth and integrity over material wealth or superficial commitments. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_blindness.htm">Spiritual Blindness</a> The term "blind guides" underscores the danger of spiritual blindness. Christians are called to seek God's wisdom and discernment to lead others rightly. <a href="/topical/t/true_worship.htm">True Worship</a> The temple represents true worship, which should not be overshadowed by material concerns. Worship should be centered on God, not on the trappings of religion. <a href="/topical/a/accountability_in_speech.htm">Accountability in Speech</a> Jesus' teaching on oaths reminds us of the power of our words. Believers should be accountable for their promises and speak truthfully.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a> <a href="/q/why_are_you_a_brood_of_vipers.htm">Why are you a brood of vipers?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'woe'_signify_in_the_bible.htm">What does "woe" signify in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/swear_oaths__leviticus_vs._matthew.htm">Should we swear oaths? (Leviticus 19:12 vs. Matthew 5:34)</a> <a href="/q/joseph's_father__matthew_vs._luke.htm">Who was Joseph's father? (Matthew 1:16 vs. Luke 3:23)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) Whosoever shall swear by the temple.--On the general teaching of the Pharisees as to oaths, see Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/5-33.htm" title="Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths:">Matthew 5:33-37</a>. It is not easy to trace the currents of thought that run through a corrupt casuistry, but probably the line of reasoning that led to this distinction was that the "gold of the Temple"--not the gold used in its structural ornamentation, but that which in coin or bullion was part of the Corban, or sacred treasure (<a href="/matthew/15-5.htm" title="But you say, Whoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatever you might be profited by me;">Matthew 15:5</a>)--had received a more special consecration than the fabric, and involved, therefore, a higher obligation, when used as a formula jurandi, than the Temple or the altar. Something of the same feeling is seen in the popular casuistry which makes the binding force of an oath depend on "kissing the Book;" or that of mediaeval Christendom, which saw in the relics of a saint that which was more sacred than the Gospels. The principle involved in our Lord's teaching goes further than its immediate application, and sweeps away the arbitrary distinction of different degrees of sanctity in the several parts of the same structure. Here the line of reasoning is, as in <a href="/context/matthew/5-33.htm" title="Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths:">Matthew 5:33-37</a>, that the Temple includes the altar, that the altar includes the gift, that the heaven includes the Throne, and that thus every oath-formula runs up, explicitly or implicitly, into the great thought of God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - Fourth woe - against evasive distinctions in oaths. Ye blind guides. They were by profession leaders and guides, and yet by their literalism and externalism they lost the true significance of the Scriptures which they taught, and the ritual of which they were the exponents. The Lord repeats the epithet "blind "(vers. 17, 19, 24). Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing. Our Lord seems to refer more especially to oaths connected with vows, of which he had already spoken (<a href="/matthew/15-5.htm">Matthew 15:5, 6</a>). The arbitrary distinction between oaths was indeed an instance of moral blindness. An oath by the temple was not binding; it might be broken or evaded with impunity. By the gold of the temple - i.e. by the sacred treasure and ornaments therein - he is a debtor (ὀφείλει); he is bound by his oath. The casuistry employed by the Jews in this matter was well known, and had become proverbial among the heathen. F.M. quotes Martial, 11:94 - "Ecce negas, jurasque mihi per templa Tonantis, Non credo: jura, verpe, per Anchialum.'" Anchialum is equivalent to am chai aloh, "as God liveth," the Jew (verpus, "circumcised") being bound by no oath but one that contained some letters of the Divine name or some attribute of God. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Woe Οὐαὶ (Ouai) Interjection <a href="/greek/strongs_3759.htm">Strong's 3759: </a> Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe'. to you, ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. blind τυφλοὶ (typhloi) Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5185.htm">Strong's 5185: </a> Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind. guides! ὁδηγοὶ (hodēgoi) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3595.htm">Strong's 3595: </a> A leader, guide; met: an instructor, teacher. From hodos and hegeomai; a conductor (teacher). [You] οἱ (hoi) Article - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. say, λέγοντες (legontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ‘If anyone Ὃς (Hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. swears ὀμόσῃ (omosē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3660.htm">Strong's 3660: </a> A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath. by ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. temple, ναῷ (naō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3485.htm">Strong's 3485: </a> A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple. it means ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. nothing; οὐδέν (ouden) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. but δ’ (d’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. if anyone ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. swears ὀμόσῃ (omosē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3660.htm">Strong's 3660: </a> A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath. by ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. gold χρυσῷ (chrysō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5557.htm">Strong's 5557: </a> Perhaps from the base of chraomai; gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. temple, ναοῦ (naou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3485.htm">Strong's 3485: </a> A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple. he is bound by his oath.? ὀφείλει (opheilei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3784.htm">Strong's 3784: </a> Or, its prolonged form opheileo probably from the base of ophelos; to owe; figuratively, to be under obligation; morally, to fail in duty. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:16 Woe to you you blind guides who (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>