Keraia
Matthew 23

Matthew 23:19

Woes to Scribes and Pharisees · Matthew 23:1–36
Read Matthew 23

Translations

Modern
You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?
Traditional
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Literal
Blind ones! For which is greater: the gift, or the altar sanctifying the gift?
Latin
Cæci: quid enim majus est, donum, an altare, quod sanctificat donum?

Original

Greek
English
You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?

Notes

Matthew 23:16–22

The religious leaders said that some oaths were less binding, and this allowed them to deceive people. But Jesus called for honesty and for keeping every commitment (see Matthew 5:33–37).

Matthew 23:13–36

Matthew gathered seven warnings of sorrow to come (literally woe to you) inspired by similar Old Testament lists (Isaiah 5:8–23; Habakkuk 2:6–20). Matthew arranged them to reach a climax with the killing of the prophets.

Events

Parallels

Luke 11:37–54

Glossary

Altar Curse, Cursed Gehenna Gospel of Matthew Hell Jesus Christ, Teachings of Moses’ Seat Scribe Sin Son of Man Tradition

Topics

Altar in the Tabernacle: Sanctified Everything That Touched It Blindness: Spiritual Church: Corruption In Ecclesiasticism: Jewish, Rebuked by Jesus Fools: Pharisees Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Hypocrites: Wilfully Blind Oath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Oaths: The Jews: Fell Into Many Errors Respecting Pharisees: Hypocrisy of, Reproved by Jesus Satire of Jesus Against Hypocrites Spiritual Blindness: The Self-Righteous are In Teachers: False: Admonition Against Temple: Solomon's: Jews Swore By The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Jews Condemned for Swearing Lightly By The Pharisees: Christ: Denounced Woes Against