Matthew 23:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532}, Whosoever {G3739}{G1437} shall swear {G3660} by {G1722} the altar {G2379}, it is {G2076} nothing {G3762}; but {G1161} whosoever {G3739}{G302} sweareth {G3660} by {G1722} the gift {G1435} that is upon {G1883} it {G846}, he is guilty {G3784}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And you say, `If someone swears by the altar, he is not bound by his oath; but if he swears by the offering on the altar, he is bound.'

Berean Standard Bible

And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’

American Standard Version

And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 23:18, Jesus continues His scathing indictment of the scribes and Pharisees, exposing their profound spiritual blindness and deeply entrenched hypocrisy, specifically regarding their convoluted and self-serving teachings on oaths. This particular verse highlights their flawed legalistic distinctions, asserting that an oath sworn by the altar itself was considered non-binding, while an oath sworn by the offering or "gift" placed upon the altar was deemed obligatory, thereby revealing a system designed to manipulate religious commitments for personal advantage rather than upholding divine truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader context of Jesus's final and most forceful public denunciation of the religious leaders of His day, recorded in [Matthew chapter 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes Against the Scribes and Pharisees"). Following a series of seven "woes" (or pronouncements of judgment) that began in [Matthew 23:13](/matthew/23-13 "Matthew 23:13 - Woe to the Hypocrites"), Jesus systematically dismantles their self-righteousness, legalism, and their egregious misguidance of the people. Specifically, [Matthew 23:16-22](/matthew/23-16-22 "Matthew 23:16-22 - Blind Guides and Oaths") targets their convoluted system of oaths, where they distinguished between what made an oath valid or void. Jesus uses their own logic to expose its absurdity and spiritual perversion, demonstrating that their distinctions were not rooted in genuine reverence for God but in a desire to control and profit from religious practice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the Second Temple period, oaths were a common and significant part of Jewish life, used to affirm truth, make promises, or seal agreements. However, the scribes and Pharisees had developed an intricate casuistry around oaths, creating a hierarchy of binding power based on the object sworn by. This system allowed them to declare certain oaths non-binding if they were inconvenient, while insisting on the validity of others, often those involving financial gain or personal advantage. Their teachings reflected a legalistic mindset that prioritized external observance and technicalities over the spirit of the law and true integrity. The Temple and its altar were central to Jewish worship, and the offerings placed upon the altar were consecrated to God. The Pharisees' distinction inverted the logical and theological order, valuing the derivative (the gift) over the sanctifying agent (the altar), which revealed a profound spiritual misdirection.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme illuminated by this verse is the **Hypocrisy and Spiritual Blindness** of the religious leaders. Their teaching demonstrated a profound lack of spiritual discernment, prioritizing the lesser (the gift) over the greater (the altar) which sanctified these items. Jesus exposes this as an attempt to find loopholes around their commitments, revealing a heart far from true reverence for God. Another key theme is the **Integrity of Oaths and Speech**. Jesus emphasizes that an oath, regardless of its specific wording, ultimately appeals to God, who is the ultimate source of truth and authority. Their distinctions were an evasion of truthfulness. His broader teaching on oaths, as seen in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths"), advises against swearing at all, advocating for simple truthfulness: "Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay" ([Matthew 5:37](/matthew/5-37 "Matthew 5:37 - Let Your Yes Be Yes")). Finally, the verse touches on the **Sanctity of God's Presence and Sacred Spaces**. The altar itself was consecrated and made holy by God's presence and purpose ([Exodus 29:37](/exodus/29-37 "Exodus 29:37 - Consecration of the Altar")). The gift placed upon it derived its sanctity from the altar, not the other way around. By valuing the gift over the altar, the Pharisees inverted the true order of holiness, demonstrating their focus on human offerings rather than divine sanctity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **swear (Greek, _omnýō'_):** This verb signifies to take or declare an oath, binding oneself by a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness. In this context, it highlights the act of making a sacred vow, which the Pharisees then attempted to categorize as binding or non-binding based on arbitrary distinctions.
* **nothing (Greek, _oudeís'_):** This strong negative particle means "not even one," "none at all," or "of no consequence." When applied to an oath sworn by the altar, it reveals the Pharisees' teaching that such an oath carried no legal or moral obligation, effectively rendering it void and allowing for deceit.
* **guilty (Greek, _opheílō'_):** This verb primarily means "to owe" or "to be indebted," but figuratively, it extends to "being under obligation," "ought," "must," "should," and morally, "to fail in duty" or "be bound." Here, it directly contrasts with "nothing," indicating that an oath sworn by the gift *did* incur a binding obligation or debt, exposing their self-serving criteria.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing":** Jesus quotes the Pharisees' teaching, which held that an oath made by the altar itself was not binding. This reveals their arbitrary distinction, as the altar was the sacred object that consecrated the gifts placed upon it. To them, the altar's intrinsic holiness was less significant than the material offerings.
* **"but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty":** In stark contrast, the Pharisees taught that an oath sworn by the "gift" or offering on the altar *was* binding. This highlights their misplaced values, prioritizing the material offering (which often had monetary value or was a direct contribution) over the sacred structure that sanctified it. The term "guilty" here implies that one is obligated, indebted, or bound by such an oath, making them liable for its fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs **Irony** and **Contrast** to expose the Pharisees' spiritual bankruptcy. The **Irony** lies in their assertion that the altar, the very instrument of consecration and the focal point of sacrifice, held no binding power for an oath, while the gift, which derived its holiness *from* the altar, did. This inversion of spiritual logic is highlighted by the sharp **Contrast** between "it is nothing" and "he is guilty." Jesus uses their own convoluted reasoning to demonstrate their profound **Spiritual Blindness**, as they failed to grasp the foundational principle that the greater sanctifies the lesser. Their system was a perversion of true reverence, prioritizing material gain or convenience over the sanctity of God's presence and the integrity of one's word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully underscores the dangers of religious legalism and externalism, revealing a heart that seeks loopholes rather than genuine obedience. The Pharisees' system of oaths was a symptom of their broader theological error: they valued human traditions and material offerings above the divine source of holiness and truth. Jesus's condemnation reaffirms that all oaths, regardless of their specific wording or object, ultimately invoke God's name and character, making them inherently binding. True integrity of speech stems from a heart devoted to truth, not from a meticulous adherence to self-serving distinctions. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on internal purity over external ritual, and the call for believers to embody truthfulness in all their interactions.

* [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths")
* [James 5:12](/james/5-12 "James 5:12 - Do Not Swear")
* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus's denunciation of the Pharisees' oath system serves as a timeless warning against hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. For believers today, it challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the integrity of our words. Are we seeking to live by the spirit of God's law, or are we, like the Pharisees, looking for technicalities and loopholes to justify our actions or avoid uncomfortable truths? Our "yes" should genuinely mean "yes," and our "no" should mean "no," reflecting a heart that values truth and commitment above all else. This requires a deep commitment to honesty in all areas of life, recognizing that our words carry weight and reflect on the God we serve. It also calls us to discern what truly holds value in God's eyes, prioritizing His holiness and truth over any human-made traditions or material offerings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to create "loopholes" or make distinctions that compromise my integrity or commitment to God's truth?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that values truthfulness and spiritual substance over external religious observances or human traditions?**
* **What does it mean for my "yes" to be "yes" and my "no" to be "no" in practical, everyday interactions?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Pharisees make such a distinction between swearing by the altar and swearing by the gift on it?**

Answer: The Pharisees' distinction was rooted in a legalistic system that sought to control the binding nature of oaths. They likely considered the "gift" (an offering, often of monetary value) to be more directly tied to a tangible, measurable commitment or a personal transaction, whereas the altar itself was a general sacred object. By declaring an oath by the altar as "nothing," they could potentially avoid inconvenient obligations, while an oath by the gift, which might involve a financial pledge or a specific offering, was deemed binding. This allowed them to manipulate religious commitments for their own convenience or gain, demonstrating a focus on external appearances and material value rather than the inherent sanctity of God's presence or the integrity of one's word. Jesus exposes this as a perversion of true spiritual understanding, highlighting their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy, as seen in [Matthew 23:16-17](/matthew/23-16-17 "Matthew 23:16-17 - Blind Guides").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jesus's condemnation of the Pharisees' hypocritical oath system in [Matthew 23:18](/matthew/23-18 "Matthew 23:18 - Jesus Condemns Hypocritical Oaths") finds its ultimate fulfillment in His own person and work. He is the embodiment of perfect integrity and truth, the "Amen, the faithful and true witness" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness")). Unlike the Pharisees who sought to manipulate truth through arbitrary distinctions, Jesus consistently spoke with unparalleled authority and truthfulness, affirming that His "yes" was always "yes" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Furthermore, the very altar and gifts the Pharisees debated find their spiritual culmination in Christ. He is the ultimate "gift" given by God for the sins of the world ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")), and His body is the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")) and the altar upon which the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice was offered ([Hebrews 13:10](/hebrews/13-10 "Hebrews 13:10 - We Have an Altar")). Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfills the law's demands for truth and integrity, making human attempts at self-righteousness and legalistic distinctions utterly meaningless in comparison to the boundless grace and truth found in Him.

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.