Matthew 23:16

KJV

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!

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {G3759} unto you {G5213}, ye blind {G5185} guides {G3595}, which {G3588} say {G3004}, Whosoever {G3739}{G302} shall swear {G3660} by {G1722} the temple {G3485}, it is {G2076} nothing {G3762}; but {G1161} whosoever {G3739}{G302} shall swear {G3660} by {G1722} the gold {G5557} of the temple {G3485}, he is a debtor {G3784}!

Complete Jewish Bible

"Woe to you, you blind guides! You say, `If someone swears by the Temple, he is not bound by his oath; but if he swears by the gold in the Temple, he is bound.'

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’

American Standard Version

Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 23:16 initiates a series of sharp condemnations from Jesus against the scribes and Pharisees, whom he labels "blind guides." This particular woe targets their hypocritical and self-serving system of oaths, where they meticulously distinguished between swearing by the temple itself (which they deemed non-binding) and swearing by the gold within the temple (which they considered binding), thereby prioritizing material wealth over the sanctity of sacred commitments and revealing a profound spiritual distortion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 23:16 is the first in a series of seven "woes" (or pronouncements of judgment) that Jesus delivers against the scribes and Pharisees, forming the climax of his public ministry in Jerusalem before his passion. This chapter immediately follows Jesus' triumphal entry and his cleansing of the temple, setting the stage for his final confrontation with the religious establishment. The preceding verses ([Matthew 23:1-12](/matthew/23-1-12 "Matthew 23:1-12 - Jesus Denounces the Scribes and Pharisees")) establish Jesus' critique of their outward displays of piety, their love of honor, and their oppressive legalism, contrasting it sharply with true humble service. The "woes" themselves escalate in intensity, each exposing a different facet of the leaders' spiritual bankruptcy, from their hypocrisy in teaching without practicing to their perversion of justice and their ultimate rejection of God's messengers. This specific woe on oaths sets the pattern for exposing their distorted priorities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, oaths were a significant part of legal and religious life, used to affirm truthfulness or bind oneself to a promise. The Mosaic Law permitted oaths but also warned against their misuse (e.g., [Leviticus 19:12](/leviticus/19-12 "Leviticus 19:12 - Do Not Swear Falsely")). Over time, rabbinic traditions developed intricate rules concerning oaths, often creating distinctions to determine their binding nature. The Pharisees, known for their meticulous adherence to the Law and oral traditions, had devised a system that allowed them to circumvent oaths they found inconvenient, particularly by distinguishing between the sacredness of the temple structure and the more valuable gold offerings within it. This practice reflected a broader cultural tendency to seek loopholes in religious obligations, often driven by self-interest or a desire for financial gain, rather than genuine devotion to God. The temple in Jerusalem was the spiritual and economic heart of Jewish life, and its gold was immensely valuable, symbolizing wealth and power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew and the Gospels. It highlights the theme of **spiritual blindness** and **false leadership**, as Jesus explicitly calls the Pharisees "blind guides" who are incapable of leading others to righteousness because they themselves lack true spiritual discernment. Another prominent theme is **hypocrisy**, as their elaborate system of oaths exposed their pretense of piety while prioritizing material gain over spiritual integrity. This directly contrasts with Jesus' consistent teaching on inner righteousness over outward observance, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount where he teaches against swearing at all ([Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths")). The woe also underscores the theme of **misplaced priorities**, demonstrating how the religious elite valued the temple's gold—a symbol of earthly wealth—more than the temple itself, which represented God's presence and the sanctity of worship. This perversion of values is a recurring critique throughout Jesus' ministry against the religious establishment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** This exclamation, found at the beginning of the verse, is a powerful expression of grief, lament, and impending judgment. It is not merely a curse but a pronouncement of sorrow and the dire consequences that await those who persist in spiritual rebellion and hypocrisy. In the context of Matthew 23, Jesus uses "woe" to signify a divine condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees for their spiritual failures and their misleading of God's people.
* **Blind (Greek, _typhlós'_):** This adjective describes the spiritual condition of the guides. It signifies a profound lack of spiritual perception and understanding, not merely physical sightlessness. The Pharisees, despite their meticulous study of the Law, were spiritually incapable of discerning God's true will or recognizing the Messiah. This blindness made them unfit to lead others, as they themselves were stumbling in darkness.
* **Debtor (Greek, _opheílō'_):** In this context, "he is a debtor" implies being under a binding obligation or being guilty of failing to fulfill a duty. When someone swore by the gold of the temple, according to the Pharisees' twisted logic, they were considered bound by their oath, obligated to fulfill it. This word highlights the legalistic and financial implications of their oath system, where the value of the object sworn by determined the oath's binding nature, rather than the sanctity of the oath itself or the place where it was made.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto you, ye blind guides":** This opening phrase immediately sets a tone of severe condemnation. "Woe" is a lament and a judgment, signaling the dire spiritual state and impending consequences for those addressed. The epithet "blind guides" is a scathing indictment, implying that those who claim to lead others spiritually are themselves devoid of true spiritual insight, thus leading their followers astray.
* **"which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing":** This exposes the first part of the Pharisees' corrupt teaching on oaths. They taught that an oath sworn "by the temple" itself was not binding. This demonstrates a profound disrespect for the sacredness of God's dwelling place and a willingness to create loopholes that allowed for the breaking of vows, undermining the very concept of integrity in speech.
* **"but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!":** This reveals the second, contrasting part of their teaching. They declared that an oath sworn "by the gold of the temple" *was* binding, making the swearer a "debtor" or obligated to fulfill the vow. This distinction reveals their misplaced priorities: they valued the material wealth (gold) within the temple, likely because it was an offering that benefited them, more than the spiritual sanctity of the temple structure itself. This exposed their avarice and spiritual distortion.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 23:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey Jesus' condemnation. The most prominent is **Irony**, as Jesus calls the religious leaders "blind guides." This is deeply ironic because those who were supposed to illuminate the path of righteousness for others were themselves spiritually sightless, leading people into error. This also functions as a form of **Paradox**, presenting a seemingly contradictory truth that those in positions of spiritual authority are the most spiritually bankrupt. The use of **Hyperbole** is evident in the Pharisees' distinction between the temple and its gold; while not strictly an exaggeration, it highlights the absurdity and extreme nature of their legalistic hair-splitting. Furthermore, the entire series of "woes" in Matthew 23 constitutes a powerful **Invective**, a direct and forceful attack, designed to expose and denounce the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. The contrast between "the temple" and "the gold of the temple" serves as a stark **Antithesis**, emphasizing their distorted value system and revealing their prioritization of material gain over spiritual truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 23:16 powerfully exposes the dangers of religious legalism and hypocrisy, particularly when it leads to the perversion of divine truth for personal gain. The Pharisees' system of oaths, which prioritized the gold of the temple over the temple itself, reveals a profound spiritual blindness that valued material wealth and human tradition above God's sacred institutions and the integrity of one's word. This passage underscores the biblical principle that true worship and obedience stem from a sincere heart, not from external rituals or clever loopholes. It warns against leaders who, rather than guiding people towards genuine righteousness, mislead them through self-serving interpretations of God's commands, ultimately hindering their spiritual growth and leading them away from the true path of faith. This spiritual distortion is a consistent theme throughout the Old and New Testaments, where God consistently condemns those who prioritize outward show or personal profit over true justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

* [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Hypocritical Worship")
* [Mark 7:6-9](/mark/7-6-9 "Mark 7:6-9 - Hypocrisy of Tradition")
* [Luke 11:42](/luke/11-42 "Luke 11:42 - Woe to the Pharisees for Neglecting Justice and Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 23:16 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual hypocrisy and misplaced priorities, challenging believers to examine the true motivations behind their religious practices. Are we genuinely seeking to honor God and live righteously, or are we, like the "blind guides," subtly prioritizing personal gain, reputation, or comfort over the integrity of our faith? This passage calls us to cultivate a heart of sincerity, where our words and actions are consistent with our professed beliefs, and where our commitments are made with reverence for God, not with an eye for potential loopholes. It also prompts us to be discerning about the spiritual leaders we follow, ensuring they lead with integrity, humility, and a genuine focus on God's truth, rather than self-interest or worldly values. Ultimately, Jesus' condemnation reminds us that God desires inner transformation and genuine devotion far more than outward conformity or clever religious maneuvering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be acting as a "blind guide," perhaps unintentionally leading myself or others astray through compromised values or misplaced priorities?**
* **How do I ensure that my spiritual commitments and promises are made with integrity and a sincere heart, rather than seeking loopholes or prioritizing material gain?**
* **What are the "gold" and "temple" in my own life—the things I might value more than their sacred purpose or the presence of God within them?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper spiritual discernment to recognize and avoid hypocrisy, both in myself and in others?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Pharisees distinguish between swearing by the temple and swearing by its gold?**

Answer: The Pharisees' distinction was rooted in a distorted interpretation of oaths, likely driven by a combination of legalistic hair-splitting and self-interest. They taught that an oath was binding only if it involved something that had been consecrated or was of significant monetary value. The "gold of the temple" referred to the offerings and treasures within the temple, which were of high monetary value and directly benefited the temple treasury (and by extension, potentially themselves or their influence). By contrast, swearing "by the temple" itself, they argued, was not binding because the temple structure was merely the container for the valuable offerings. This allowed them to create loopholes, enabling them to break oaths made by the temple while upholding those made by its gold, effectively prioritizing financial gain over the sanctity of the sacred space and the integrity of one's word. Jesus condemned this as a clear sign of their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy, as it demonstrated a greater reverence for money than for God's holy dwelling place ([Matthew 23:17-19](/matthew/23-17-19 "Matthew 23:17-19 - The Greater and the Lesser")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 23:16, with its stinging indictment of the "blind guides," finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in Jesus Christ. The Pharisees, with their twisted system of oaths and their prioritization of material wealth over spiritual truth, stand in stark contrast to Jesus, who is the **true and perfect Guide**. Unlike the blind leaders who led people astray, Jesus declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")), the one who perfectly embodies and reveals God's will. Their emphasis on the gold of the temple, a symbol of earthly value, is shattered by Jesus' own teaching that true treasure is found in heaven ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")). Furthermore, their attempts to manipulate oaths are superseded by Christ's call for absolute integrity in speech, where a simple "Yes" or "No" should suffice, reflecting a heart fully committed to truth ([Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths")). Jesus Himself is the ultimate "temple," the dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection, Referring to His Body as the Temple")), and His sacrifice on the cross made all other oaths and rituals concerning the temple obsolete, providing the true and final means of reconciliation with God. Thus, Christ exposes the blindness of the old covenant's corrupt leadership while simultaneously presenting Himself as the clear-sighted, righteous leader who faithfully guides His people into eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:14

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Matthew 5:33

¶ 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:

Matthew 5:35

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

Matthew 23:17

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

James 5:12

¶ But 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.

Matthew 23:24

[Ye] blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Matthew 15:5

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to [his] father or [his] mother, [It is] a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;