Sweareth by it , etc. One can see what an inveterate evil our Lord was denouncing, when he takes such pains to point out its absurdities, which seem to us self-evident. The oath by the altar involves the notion of the victim as well as the altar; one cannot be separated from the other; and, of course, implies him to whom the offering is made. read more
The altar that sanctifieth the gift - The altar, dedicated to God, gave all the value or holiness to the offering, and must therefore be the greatest or of the most importance. If, therefore, either bound to the fulfillment of an oath, it must be the altar. read more
Matthew 23:16-22. Wo unto you, ye blind guides Before he had styled them hypocrites, from their personal character; now he gives them another title respecting their false doctrine and influence upon others. Both these appellations are severely put together in Matthew 23:23-25: and this severity rises to the height in Matthew 23:33. Here we have the fourth reason of the woes denounced. Which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing It constitutes no obligation to tell the... read more
129. More about scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47)Instead of teaching only the law of Moses, the scribes and Pharisees added countless laws of their own. Instead of making the people’s load lighter, they made it heavier. People could profit from listening to the scribes’ teaching of Moses’ law, but they were not to copy the scribes’ behaviour (Matthew 23:1-4).Jesus gave two specific reasons for his condemnation of the scribes. First, they wanted to make a... read more
Matthew 23:17-22. Ye fools and blind— The Apostle's words, Heb 6:16 are a proper comment on the 17th verse, for men verily swear by the greater. Whoso shall swear by the altar, says our Saviour (Matthew 23:20.) sweareth by it, and by all things thereon; consequently the oath is an invocation of his wrath, to whom the altar, and the gifts on the altar, are sacred, in case of falsehood or breach of vows. The particular species of wrath invoked in this oath, is God's rejecting the swearer's... read more
19. Ye fools, and blind! for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?—(See Exodus 29:37). read more
20-22. Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, &c.—See on :-. read more
2. Jesus’ indictment of the scribes and the Pharisees 23:13-36 (cf. Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47)Jesus now directed His attention toward the scribes and the Pharisees in the temple courtyard (cf. Matthew 23:1). He proceeded to announce a scathing indictment of them in seven parts. Compare the six woes of Isaiah 5:8-23 and the five woes of Habakkuk 2:6-20. He introduced each indictment with the word "woe." Jesus spoke of the scribes and Pharisees, but He spoke to the crowds and His disciples."No... read more
The third woe 23:16-22Jesus had dealt with the subject of taking oaths in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:33-37). He had called His critics blind guides before too (Matthew 15:14). Here is a specific example of what Jesus condemned in the second woe (Matthew 23:15). By differentiating between what was binding in their oaths and what was not, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were encouraging evasive oaths that amounted to lying. Jesus’ point was that people should tell the truth. Jesus... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 23:19
Our Lord repeats the unanswerable argument of Matthew 23:17 . That sanctifieth the gift. , Exodus 29:37 . "It shall be an altar most holy; whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy" (comp. Ezekiel 41:22 ). The offering is one with the altar. read more