Matthew 23:16–22
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!
Woe vnto you, yee blind guides, which say, Whosoeuer shall sweare by the Temple, it is nothing: but whosoeuer shal sweare by the gold of the Temple, he is a debter.
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Ye fooles 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.
And whosoeuer shall sweare by the Altar, it is nothing: but whosoeuer sweareth by the gift that is vpon it, he is ‖guiltie.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- ‖Alternative wordingOr, a debter, or bound
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Ye fooles 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.
Who so therefore shall sweare 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 who so shall sweare 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.
And he that shall sweare by heauen, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
21 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 16
- Matthew 15:14Rank 1 from verse 16
- James 5:12Rank 2 from verse 16
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.
12But aboue all things, my brethren, sweare not, neither by heauen, neither by the earth, neither by any other othe: but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay: lest yee fall into condemnation.
- Matthew 23:17Rank 3 from verse 16
- Matthew 23:24Rank 4 from verse 16
- Matthew 5:33–35Rank 5 from verse 16
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.
33¶ Againe, yee haue heard that it hath beene said by them of old time, *Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe, but shalt performe vnto the Lord thine othes.
34But I say vnto you, Sweare not at all, neither by heauen, for it is Gods throne:
35Nor by the earth, for it is his footstoole: neither by Hierusalem, for it is the citie of the great king.
- Isaiah 56:10–11Rank 6 from verse 16
10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
10‖His watchmen are blinde: they are all ignorant, they are all dumbe dogs, they cannot barke; sleeping, lying downe, louing to slumber.
11††Yea they are greedy dogges which can neuer haue ynough, and they are shepheards that cannot vnderstand: they all looke to their owne way, euery one for his gaine, from his quarter.
- John 9:39–41Rank 7 from verse 16
39¶ And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
41Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
39¶ And Iesus said, For iudgment I am come into this world, that they which see not, might see, and that they which see, might be made blind.
40And some of the Pharisees which were with him, heard these words, and saide vnto him, Are wee blinde also?
41Iesus saide vnto them, If yee were blind, ye should haue no sinne: but now ye say, We see, therfore your sinne remaineth.
- Matthew 15:5–6Rank 8 from verse 16
5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
5But yee say, Whosoeuer shall say to his father or his mother, * It is a gift by whatsoeuer thou mightest bee profited by me,
6And honour not his father or his mother, hee shall be free. Thus haue yee made the Commaundement of God of none effect by your tradition.
- Matthew 23:19Rank 9 from verse 16
- Matthew 23:26Rank 10 from verse 16
- Galatians 5:3Rank 11 from verse 16
- Mark 7:10–13Rank 12 from verse 16
10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
10For Moses said, Honour thy father & thy mother: and who so curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is *Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoeuer thou mightest be profited by me: he shalbe free.
12And ye suffer him no more to doe ought for his father, or his mother:
13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye haue deliuered: And many such like things doe ye.
From verse 17
- Matthew 23:19Rank 1 from verse 17
- Numbers 16:38–39Rank 2 from verse 17
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:
38The censers of these sinners against their owne soules, let them make them broad plates for a couering of the Altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed, and they shall be a signe vnto the children of Israel.
39And Eleazar the Priest tooke the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered, and they were made broad plates for a couering of the Altar:
- Exodus 30:26–29Rank 3 from verse 17
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.
26And thou shalt anoint the Tabernacle of the Congregation therewith, and the Arke of the Testimonie:
27And the Table and all his vessels, and the Candlesticke, and his vessels, and the Altar of incense:
28And the Altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the Lauer and his foot.
29And thou shalt sanctifie them, that they may bee most holy: whatsoeuer toucheth them, shall be holy.
- Psalms 94:8Rank 4 from verse 17
From verse 19
- Exodus 29:37Rank 1 from verse 19
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.
37Seuen dayes thou shalt make an atonement for the Altar, and sanctifie it: and it shalbe an Altar most holy: whatsoeuer toucheth the Altar, shalbe holy.
- Exodus 30:29Rank 2 from verse 19
From verse 21
- 1 Kings 8:13Rank 1 from verse 21
- Psalms 26:8Rank 2 from verse 21
- 2 Chronicles 6:2Rank 3 from verse 21
- 1 Kings 8:27Rank 4 from verse 21
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?
27But will God indeede dwell on the earth? Behold, the heauen, and heauen of heauens cannot conteine thee: how much lesse this House that I haue builded?
- 2 Chronicles 7:2Rank 5 from verse 21
- Colossians 2:9Rank 6 from verse 21
- Ephesians 2:22Rank 7 from verse 21
- Psalms 132:13–14Rank 8 from verse 21
From verse 22
- Matthew 5:34Rank 1 from verse 22
- Isaiah 66:1Rank 2 from verse 22
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?
1¶ *Thus sayth the LORD, The heauen is my throne, and the earth is my footestoole: where is the house that yee builde vnto mee? and where is the place of my rest?
- Psalms 11:4Rank 3 from verse 22
- Revelation 4:2–3Rank 5 from verse 22
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.
2And immediatly I was in the spirit: and beholde, a Throne was set in heauen, and one sate on the Throne.
3And he that sate was to looke vpon like a Iasper, and a Sardine stone: and there was a rainebow round about the Throne, in sight like vnto an Emeralde.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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DEFINED WORDS
Matthew 23:16
The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
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
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
Persons who lead or direct others.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Whoever; any person who, without restriction in the stated class.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To make a solemn oath or binding affirmation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
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
One who owes something or is under an obligation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
DEFINED WORDS
Matthew 23:17
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
Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
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
Sense 1: Which of two. Sense 2: Introducing alternatives or uncertainty.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
sanctifieth
Sets apart as holy, consecrates, or purifies for holy use.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Matthew 23:18
Whoever; any person who, without restriction in the stated class.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To make a solemn oath or binding affirmation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
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
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
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
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
Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
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
Sense 1: Which of two. Sense 2: Introducing alternatives or uncertainty.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
sanctifieth
Sets apart as holy, consecrates, or purifies for holy use.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Matthew 23:20
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To make a solemn oath or binding affirmation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
On or upon that which was previously mentioned.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Matthew 23:21
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To make a solemn oath or binding affirmation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
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
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To make a solemn oath or binding affirmation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
A royal seat; by extension, sovereign rule or authority.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The one true God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
On or upon that which was previously mentioned.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
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Related Concepts
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grace
heaven and eternal life
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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.
15Woe vnto you Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites; for yee compasse Sea and land to make one Proselyte, and when hee is made, yee make him two fold more the childe of hell then your selues.
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!
16Woe vnto you, yee blind guides, which say, Whosoeuer shall sweare by the Temple, it is nothing: but whosoeuer shal sweare by the gold of the Temple, he is a debter.
Selected passage17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
17 Ye fooles and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the Temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Selected passage18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
18And whosoeuer shall sweare by the Altar, it is nothing: but whosoeuer sweareth by the gift that is vpon it, he is ‖guiltie.
Selected passage19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
19 Ye fooles and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the Altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Selected passage20Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
20Who so therefore shall sweare by the Altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
Selected passage21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
21And who so shall sweare by the Temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
Selected passage22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
22And he that shall sweare by heauen, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Selected passage23Woe 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.
23Woe vnto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; *for yee pay tithe of mint, and annise, and cummine, and haue omitted the weightier matters of the Law, iudgement, mercie and faith: these ought ye to haue done, and not to leaue the other vndone.