Matthew 23
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Matthew 23:16-24

16“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, that is nothing (non-binding); but whoever swears [an oath] by the gold of the temple is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’

17You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary of the temple that sanctified the gold?

18And [you scribes and Pharisees say], ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, that is nothing (non-binding), but whoever swears [an oath] by the offering on it, he is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’

19You [spiritually] blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?

20Therefore, whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, swears both by it and by everything [offered] on it.

21And whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells within it.

22And whoever swears [an oath] by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.

23“Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth (tithe) of your mint and dill and cumin [focusing on minor matters], and have neglected the weightier [more important moral and spiritual] provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the [primary] things you ought to have done without neglecting the others.

24You [spiritually] blind guides, who strain out a gnat [consuming yourselves with miniscule matters] and swallow a camel [ignoring and violating God’s precepts]!

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Commentaries on Matthew 23

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