Logos Bible Study

Matthew 23:16–18

New American Standard Bible (1995)Other versions

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16“Woe to you, ablind guides, who say, ‘bWhoever swears by the 1temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’

17“You fools and blind men! aWhich is 1more important, the gold or the 2temple that sanctified the gold?

18“And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the 1offering on it, he is obligated.’

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Footnotes

  1. 1Or sanctuary
  2. 1Lit greater
  3. 2Or sanctuary
  4. 1Or gift

Cross references

  1. aMatt 15:14; 23:24
  2. bMatt 5:33–35
  3. aEx 30:29

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“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.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“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.’ Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? Also, ‘Whoever takes an oath by the altar, it means nothing; but whoever takes an oath by the gift that is on it is bound by his oath.’

NLTNew Living Translation

“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.’ Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? And you say that to swear ‘by the altar’ is not binding, but to swear ‘by the gifts on the altar’ is binding.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing! But whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound by his oath.’ Fools and blind people! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold holy? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing! But whoever swears by the gift that is on it is bound by his oath.’

KJV 1900King James Version

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! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.