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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 23:16–22

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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7 selected · 3 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

21 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 16

  1. Matthew 15:14Rank 1 from verse 16
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    14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

  2. James 5:12Rank 2 from verse 16
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    12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

  3. Matthew 23:17Rank 3 from verse 16
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    17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

  4. Matthew 23:24Rank 4 from verse 16
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    24Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

  5. Matthew 5:33–35Rank 5 from verse 16
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    33¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

    34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:

    35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

From verse 17

  1. Matthew 23:19Rank 1 from verse 17
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    19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

  2. Numbers 16:38–39Rank 2 from verse 17
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    38The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for 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.

    39And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

  3. Exodus 30:26–29Rank 3 from verse 17
    Open

    26And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,

    27And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,

    28And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.

    29And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.

  4. Psalms 94:8Rank 4 from verse 17
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    8Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

From verse 19

  1. Exodus 29:37Rank 1 from verse 19
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    37Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.

  2. Exodus 30:29Rank 2 from verse 19
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    29And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.

From verse 21

  1. 1 Kings 8:13Rank 1 from verse 21
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    13I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

  2. Psalms 26:8Rank 2 from verse 21
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    8Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

  3. 2 Chronicles 6:2Rank 3 from verse 21
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    2But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.

  4. 1 Kings 8:27Rank 4 from verse 21
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    27But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

  5. 2 Chronicles 7:2Rank 5 from verse 21
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    2And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.

From verse 22

  1. Matthew 5:34Rank 1 from verse 22
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    34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:

  2. Isaiah 66:1Rank 2 from verse 22
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    1THUS saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

  3. Psalms 11:4Rank 3 from verse 22
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    4The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

  4. Acts 7:49Rank 4 from verse 22
    Open

    49Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

  5. Revelation 4:2–3Rank 5 from verse 22
    Open

    2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

    3And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:16

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

blind

↗

Sense 1: Unable to see with the eyes, or unable or unwilling to perceive, understand, or judge. Sense 2: A person or persons unable to see, as in ‘the blind’. Sense 3: To make unable to see or judge, or to obscure or hinder sight or judgment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

temple

↗

Sense 1: A sacred house, building, or place devoted to the worship or presence of God or an idol. Sense 2: Christ's body, expressly called the temple of his body. Sense 3: A believer's body, or believers collectively, called the temple of God or of the Holy Ghost. Sense 4: The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, expressly called the temple of the city.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:17

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fools

↗

Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

blind

↗

Sense 1: Unable to see with the eyes, or unable or unwilling to perceive, understand, or judge. Sense 2: A person or persons unable to see, as in ‘the blind’. Sense 3: To make unable to see or judge, or to obscure or hinder sight or judgment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

temple

↗

Sense 1: A sacred house, building, or place devoted to the worship or presence of God or an idol. Sense 2: Christ's body, expressly called the temple of his body. Sense 3: A believer's body, or believers collectively, called the temple of God or of the Holy Ghost. Sense 4: The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, expressly called the temple of the city.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:18

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

gift

↗

Sense 1: Something given or bestowed; a present. Sense 2: An endowment or ability. Sense 3: A bribe.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

guilty

↗

Having committed an offence or violated a law or duty; blameworthy and liable to judgment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:19

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fools

↗

Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

blind

↗

Sense 1: Unable to see with the eyes, or unable or unwilling to perceive, understand, or judge. Sense 2: A person or persons unable to see, as in ‘the blind’. Sense 3: To make unable to see or judge, or to obscure or hinder sight or judgment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

gift

↗

Sense 1: Something given or bestowed; a present. Sense 2: An endowment or ability. Sense 3: A bribe.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:20

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:21

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

temple

↗

Sense 1: A sacred house, building, or place devoted to the worship or presence of God or an idol. Sense 2: Christ's body, expressly called the temple of his body. Sense 3: A believer's body, or believers collectively, called the temple of God or of the Holy Ghost. Sense 4: The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, expressly called the temple of the city.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

therein

↗

In, within, during, or concerning that place, person, thing, condition, time, or matter previously mentioned.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:22

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

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15Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

16Woe 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!

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17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

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18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

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19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Selected passage

20Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

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21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

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22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

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23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

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