Keraia
Matthew 23

Matthew 23:24

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

Translations

Modern
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Traditional
Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Literal
Blind guides—those straining out the gnat and swallowing up the camel!
Latin
Duces cæci, excolantes culicem, camelum autem glutientes.

Original

Greek
English
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Notes

Matthew 23:24

gnat … camel: In Aramaic, the language Jesus likely spoke, these two words sound similar (qalma … gamla). This makes a wordplay or pun. Jesus used the contrast between a tiny gnat and a huge camel to show the hypocrisy of focusing on small details while ignoring much greater issues.

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

Biblical Concept of Law Curse, Cursed Gehenna Gnat Gospel of Matthew Hell Jesus Christ, Teachings of Scribe Sin Son of Man Tradition

Topics

Blindness: Spiritual Church: Corruption In Ecclesiasticism: Jewish, Rebuked by Jesus Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Hypocrites: Exact in Minor, but Neglecting Important Duties Insects: Gnat Pharisees: Hypocrisy of, Reproved by Jesus Satire of Jesus Against Hypocrites Spiritual Blindness: Scribes and Pharisees Teachers: False: Admonition Against The Camel: Referred to in Illustrations by Christ The Pharisees: Christ: Called Fools and Blind Guides The Pharisees: Christ: Denounced Woes Against