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Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple 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 />Foolish and blind! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple having sanctified the gold?<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 is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?<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 gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You fools and blind men; which is more important, the gold, or the temple that sanctified the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You fools and blind men! For which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary of the temple that sanctified the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You blind fools! What is more important, the gold or the temple that made the gold holy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Blind fools! Which is more important, the gold or the Temple which makes the gold holy? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You blind fools! What is more important, the gold or the sanctuary that made the gold holy? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold 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 fools. For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctified the gold?<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 gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Blind fools! Why, which is greater? --the gold, or the Sanctuary which has made the gold holy?<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 gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? <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 gold, or the temple that is sanctifying the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Foolish and blind! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple having sanctified the gold?<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 gold, or the sanctuary that is sanctifying the gold?<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 gold, or the temple consecrating the gold?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Ye foolish and blind; for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You are foolish and blind! For which is greater: the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold 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 gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?<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, gold, or The Temple, which sanctifies the gold?<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 gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Ye fools and blind: for which is the greater, the gold, or the temple sanctifying the gold?<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! for which is the greater, the gold, or the temple which consecrates the gold?<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 treasure of the temple, or the temple that makes the treasure sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Blind fools! Why, which is greater? --the gold, or the Sanctuary which has made the gold holy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Fools, and blind! for which is greater?the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>but if any <Fr><i>man</i><FR> swear by the gold of the temple, <Fr><i>the oath</i><FR> is binding. Foolish and blind <Fr><i>creatures!</i><FR> for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/23-17.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=6820" 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">16</span>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.’ <span class="reftext">17</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</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3474.htm" title="3474: mōroi (Adj-VMP) -- Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid, i.e. Heedless, blockhead, absurd.">fools!</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: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">Which</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.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: meizōn (Adj-NMS-C) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">greater:</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- 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: chrysos (N-NMS) -- Perhaps from the base of chraomai; gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin.">gold,</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: ho (Art-NMS) -- 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: naos (N-NMS) -- 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/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- 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: hagiasas (V-APA-NMS) -- From hagios; to make holy, i.e. purify or consecrate; to venerate.">that makes it sacred?</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5557.htm" title="5557: chryson (N-AMS) -- Perhaps from the base of chraomai; gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin."></a> </span> <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.’…<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/5-22.htm">Matthew 5:22</a></span><br />But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">Matthew 5:33-37</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-23.htm">Matthew 16:23</a></span><br />But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">Matthew 19:23-24</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-29.htm">Matthew 22:29</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-40.htm">Luke 11:40</a></span><br />You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-25.htm">Luke 24:25</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39-41</a></span><br />Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a></span><br />Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">1 Corinthians 3:18-20</a></span><br />Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a></span><br />The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Galatians 3:1-3</a></span><br />O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. / I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? / Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Ephesians 4:17-18</a></span><br />So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. / They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.</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 gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?</p><p class="hdg">Ye fools.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/94-8.htm">Psalm 94:8</a></b></br> Understand, ye brutish among the people: and <i>ye</i> fools, when will ye be wise?</p><p class="hdg">or.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19</a></b></br> <i>Ye</i> fools and blind: for whether <i>is</i> greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/30-26.htm">Exodus 30:26-29</a></b></br> And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-38.htm">Numbers 16:38,39</a></b></br> The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates <i>for</i> a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/matthew/17-17.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-36.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/matthew/13-17.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/matthew/23-6.htm">Important</a> <a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/matthew/22-18.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/matthew/7-6.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Sanctified</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-28.htm">Sanctifies</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-28.htm">Sanctifieth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-28.htm">Sanctifying</a> <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/matthew/21-31.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/matthew/25-2.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/acts/3-6.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Important</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/john/10-36.htm">Sanctified</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Sanctifies</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Sanctifieth</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Sanctifying</a> <a href="/matthew/23-21.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/matthew/23-21.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/matthew/23-19.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'; </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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>You blind fools!</b><br>This phrase is a direct rebuke from Jesus to the Pharisees and scribes. The term "blind" indicates a lack of spiritual insight and understanding, despite their position as religious leaders. The word "fools" suggests a moral deficiency, not just intellectual ignorance. In biblical context, wisdom is often associated with the fear of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>), and the Pharisees' failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah highlights their spiritual blindness. This rebuke echoes the Old Testament prophets who often called out Israel's leaders for their failure to lead the people in true worship (<a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10</a>).<p><b>Which is greater: the gold,</b><br>Gold, in the ancient world, was a symbol of wealth and divine favor. The Pharisees' emphasis on gold reflects a materialistic and superficial approach to worship. In the context of the temple, gold was used extensively in its construction and decoration (<a href="/1_kings/6-20.htm">1 Kings 6:20-22</a>), symbolizing the glory and majesty of God. However, Jesus challenges the notion that material wealth holds greater significance than spiritual truth and devotion.<p><b>or the temple that makes it sacred?</b><br>The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people (<a href="/1_kings/8-10.htm">1 Kings 8:10-11</a>). It was considered holy not because of its material wealth but because it was consecrated to God. Jesus emphasizes that the temple's sanctity comes from its divine purpose, not its adornments. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God values the heart and intent of worship over external rituals (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>). The temple also serves as a type of Christ, who is the true temple (<a href="/john/2-19.htm">John 2:19-21</a>), indicating that holiness is found in God's presence, not in material objects.<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, highlighting their spiritual blindness and misplaced priorities.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a></b><br>Jewish religious leaders criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and legalism.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple.htm">Temple</a></b><br>The sacred place in Jerusalem, central to Jewish worship and the presence of God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gold.htm">Gold</a></b><br>Represents material wealth and offerings, which the Pharisees valued over the spiritual significance of the temple.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where the temple is located, a focal point of Jewish religious life.<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 beyond material wealth to the true spiritual significance of the temple. We must examine our own lives for areas where we may be spiritually blind.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_the_sacred.htm">Prioritizing the Sacred</a></b><br>The temple's sacredness comes from God's presence, not its material adornments. We should prioritize our relationship with God over material possessions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/true_worship.htm">True Worship</a></b><br>Worship is not about external rituals or offerings but about a heart aligned with God's will. Evaluate your worship practices to ensure they reflect genuine devotion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_god's_presence.htm">Value of God's Presence</a></b><br>Recognize that God's presence in our lives is more valuable than any material wealth. Cultivate an awareness of His presence daily.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_and_integrity.htm">Hypocrisy and Integrity</a></b><br>Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Strive for integrity in your faith, ensuring your actions align with your beliefs.<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/how_does_the_bible_define_hubris.htm">How does the Bible define hubris?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_jesus'_coin-in-fish_claim.htm">In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus tells Peter to find a coin in a fish's mouth to pay the temple tax. Is there any evidence or logical explanation for this unusual claim?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_christians_view_hume's_ideas.htm">Is money the solution to everything?</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 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye fools.</span> Jesus adds to "blind" the epithet "fools," which implies not only the irrationality and absurdity of their practice, but also its moral delinquency, the fool in sapiential language being the sinner. <span class="cmt_word">The temple that sanctifieth the gold.</span> Our Lord shows the absurdity of this sophistical distinction. It was because the temple was the place of God's presence that what was therein was consecrated. The gold was nothing without the temple; the temple, the originally holy, is superior to the gold, the derivatively holy, and an oath that calls the temple to witness is surely obligatory. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-17.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</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">fools!</span><br /><span class="grk">μωροὶ</span> <span class="translit">(mōroi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3474.htm">Strong's 3474: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid, i.e. Heedless, blockhead, absurd.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Which</span><br /><span class="grk">τίς</span> <span class="translit">(tis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 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</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστίν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">greater:</span><br /><span class="grk">μείζων</span> <span class="translit">(meizōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine 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">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine 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">gold,</span><br /><span class="grk">χρυσὸς</span> <span class="translit">(chrysos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5557.htm">Strong's 5557: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps from the base of chraomai; gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin.</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">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine 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">temple</span><br /><span class="grk">ναὸς</span> <span class="translit">(naos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3485.htm">Strong's 3485: </a> </span><span class="str2">A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that makes it sacred?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁγιάσας</span> <span class="translit">(hagiasas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine 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/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/23-17.htm">Matthew 23:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/23-17.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:17 You blind fools! (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:18" /></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>