Matthew 23:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye fools {G3474} and {G2532} blind {G5185}: for {G1063} whether {G5101} is greater {G3187}, the gift {G1435}, or {G2228} the altar {G2379} that sanctifieth {G37} the gift {G1435}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Blind men! Which is more important? the sacrifice? or the altar which makes the sacrifice holy

Berean Standard Bible

You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?

American Standard Version

Ye blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 23:19, Jesus forcefully confronts the spiritual blindness and hypocritical casuistry of the scribes and Pharisees. He exposes their flawed reasoning regarding oaths and vows, particularly their teaching that a gift offered on the altar was more sacred than the altar itself. Through a rhetorical question, Jesus challenges their inverted understanding of holiness, asserting that it is the altar's inherent sacredness, derived from its dedication to God, that consecrates the gift, not the other way around, thereby revealing their materialistic and superficial approach to divine truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus' final and most severe public indictment of the Jewish religious leadership, commonly known as the "Eight Woes" in [Matthew chapter 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - The Woes Against the Scribes and Pharisees"). Directly preceding [verse 19](/matthew/23-19 "Matthew 23:19 - The Altar Sanctifies the Gift"), in [verses 16-18](/matthew/23-16-18 "Matthew 23:16-18 - Oaths and Vows"), Jesus specifically addresses their deceptive casuistry concerning oaths. The Pharisees taught that an oath sworn by the Temple was not binding, but one sworn by the gold in the Temple was. Similarly, they claimed an oath by the altar was non-binding, but an oath by the gift on the altar was. Jesus' question in [verse 19](/matthew/23-19 "Matthew 23:19 - The Altar Sanctifies the Gift") is a direct refutation of this twisted logic, highlighting their prioritization of material gain over spiritual truth and their manipulation of religious law for personal advantage or evasion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During Jesus' time, oaths were a significant part of Jewish legal and social life, intended to confirm truth or guarantee a promise. However, the scribes and Pharisees had developed a complex system of casuistry, a form of deceptive reasoning, to differentiate between binding and non-binding oaths. This system often allowed them to evade commitments by swearing by objects they deemed less sacred, while upholding oaths by objects that implied a financial benefit or a greater perceived sanctity. The Temple and its components (like the gold in it) and the altar with its offerings were central to Jewish worship and sacrificial practices. The altar, specifically, was the place where sacrifices were made holy before God, symbolizing God's acceptance and presence. The Pharisees' teaching demonstrated a profound misunderstanding of the source of holiness, valuing the material object (gold, gift) over the sacred space or instrument (Temple, altar) that consecrated it.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 23:19](/matthew/23-19 "Matthew 23:19 - The Altar Sanctifies the Gift") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **spiritual blindness and hypocrisy**, as Jesus labels the religious leaders "fools and blind" for their inability to discern true spiritual reality from superficial legalism. This echoes Jesus' earlier condemnations of their [outward show devoid of inner righteousness](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8 - Hypocrisy of the Heart"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **source of true sanctification**. Jesus' argument fundamentally asserts that holiness flows from God and His designated means (the altar, representing God's presence and consecration) rather than from the intrinsic value of an object or human manipulation. This contrasts sharply with the Pharisees' materialistic and superficial understanding of worship, which prioritized the "gift" over the "altar." Finally, the passage speaks to the theme of **divine authority and truth**, as Jesus, with unparalleled authority, exposes and corrects the profound theological errors of the religious elite, calling His followers to a genuine and sincere faith rooted in God's truth, not human traditions (as seen in [Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus' Authority")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fools (Greek, _mōrós'_):** This term, derived from a root suggesting dullness or stupidity, signifies a profound lack of spiritual understanding and moral discernment. When Jesus calls the religious leaders "fools," He is not merely insulting them but condemning their intellectual and spiritual inability to grasp fundamental divine truths, particularly concerning the nature of holiness and their own misguided priorities. It implies a moral and spiritual obtuseness that prevents them from seeing God's way.
* **Blind (Greek, _typhlós'_):** Literally meaning "opaque" or "smoky," this word extends metaphorically to describe spiritual or mental blindness. Jesus uses it to highlight the Pharisees' inability to perceive spiritual realities, despite their position as teachers of the law. Their "blindness" was self-imposed, a consequence of their pride, hypocrisy, and love for human tradition over divine revelation, preventing them from seeing the true source of holiness or even recognizing the Messiah in their midst.
* **Sanctifieth (Greek, _hagiázō'_):** This verb means "to make holy," "to consecrate," or "to set apart for God." Jesus' use of this word is pivotal, emphasizing that the altar, by virtue of its dedication and use in divine worship, imparts holiness to the gift placed upon it. It is the altar's sacred function and connection to God that consecrates the offering, not the intrinsic value of the gift itself. This directly refutes the Pharisees' inverted logic, establishing the proper order of spiritual authority and consecration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye fools and blind:"** Jesus begins with a direct and scathing indictment of the scribes and Pharisees. The terms "fools" and "blind" are not mere insults but profound theological condemnations. They denote a spiritual and intellectual incapacity to comprehend divine truth, particularly concerning the nature of holiness and God's priorities. Despite their outward religious observance and their role as teachers, they are declared utterly devoid of true spiritual insight, prioritizing external, material aspects over the internal, spiritual realities.
* **"for whether is greater, the gift,"** Jesus introduces a rhetorical question, challenging their flawed casuistry regarding oaths. The "gift" refers to the offering placed upon the altar, such as a sacrifice or a monetary offering. The Pharisees taught that an oath sworn by this gift was binding, while an oath sworn by the altar itself was not. This reveals their materialistic focus, valuing the object of the offering (which might benefit them or the Temple treasury) more than the sacred means by which it was consecrated.
* **"or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?"** Jesus provides the obvious answer to His rhetorical question, exposing the Pharisees' theological error. The "altar" is the sacred structure dedicated to God, upon which sacrifices were offered. Its holiness is derived from its dedication to God and its function as the place of atonement and communion. Jesus asserts that it is the altar's inherent sacredness that "sanctifieth" (makes holy) the gift placed upon it. The altar is greater because it is the source of the gift's consecration, demonstrating that true holiness flows from God and His designated instruments, not from the intrinsic value of the offering itself.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in [Matthew 23:19](/matthew/23-19 "Matthew 23:19 - The Altar Sanctifies the Gift") to underscore His condemnation of the Pharisees. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to expose the absurdity and spiritual illogic of the Pharisees' teaching. The answer is self-evident to anyone with spiritual discernment: the altar, as the source of sanctification, is undeniably greater. This rhetorical device serves to highlight their profound theological error and spiritual blindness. Furthermore, Jesus uses **Direct Address and Condemnation** by labeling them "Ye fools and blind." These are not casual insults but strong denunciations that underscore their moral and spiritual deficiency, serving as a powerful indictment from the Son of God. The entire passage is permeated with **Irony**, as those who claim to be spiritual guides and teachers of the law are revealed to be the ones most spiritually obtuse and hypocritical, valuing the material over the sacred source of holiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 23:19 profoundly underscores the principle that true holiness and spiritual value derive from God and His divine appointment, not from human manipulation or the intrinsic worth of material objects. The Pharisees' error was their attempt to reverse this divine order, valuing the gift over the altar, thereby revealing a heart focused on external forms and personal gain rather than genuine devotion. This passage challenges believers to understand that our offerings, whether of time, talent, or treasure, gain their true significance not from their inherent quality, but from being consecrated and offered to God through His established means and with a pure heart. It calls for a discernment that prioritizes the sacred source over the material expression, recognizing that God is the ultimate sanctifier of all things.

* [Exodus 29:37](/exodus/29-37 "Exodus 29:37 - The Altar's Sanctifying Power")
* [Proverbs 16:2](/proverbs/16-2 "Proverbs 16:2 - All Ways Seem Right to a Man")
* [Luke 11:40-41](/luke/11-40-41 "Luke 11:40-41 - Inner Purity Over Outer Show")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 23:19 serves as a timeless warning against prioritizing external religious forms, material offerings, or human traditions over the true source of holiness and spiritual integrity. For believers today, this verse compels us to deeply examine the motivations behind our worship, service, and giving. Are we genuinely focused on honoring God, allowing His presence and purpose to sanctify our lives and offerings, or are we subtly seeking human approval, material gain, or adhering to superficial religiosity? Just as the altar consecrated the gift, it is God's divine presence and His transforming power that truly sanctify our lives, our talents, and our resources when they are wholeheartedly dedicated to Him. This passage calls us to cultivate a faith that is deeply rooted in spiritual reality, valuing the Giver above the gift, and seeking authentic consecration rather than engaging in hypocritical displays. It challenges us to ensure that our hearts are truly aligned with God's truth, leading to genuine worship and righteous living, rather than merely adhering to outward religious practices that mask inner corruption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing the "gift" (external appearances, material possessions, human recognition) over the "altar" (God's presence, His sanctifying power, true spiritual consecration)?**
* **How does my understanding of holiness influence my daily decisions and my approach to worship and service?**
* **Am I prone to spiritual blindness regarding my own motives or the true nature of God's will? How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure my offerings (time, talents, resources) are truly sanctified by God's purpose rather than being merely external acts?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Pharisees teach that the gift was greater than the altar?**

Answer: The Pharisees' teaching was a form of casuistry, a legalistic system designed to create loopholes for oaths. They distinguished between oaths sworn by the Temple or altar (which they deemed non-binding) and oaths sworn by the gold in the Temple or the gift on the altar (which they considered binding). This distinction allowed them to evade commitments made by the former while upholding those made by the latter, often for their own financial benefit or convenience. They likely reasoned that the gold or gift had a more direct, tangible value or was more immediately connected to the sacred treasury, thus making an oath by it more serious. Jesus exposes this as a perversion of divine truth, highlighting their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy, as the altar is the very instrument that consecrates the gift, making it holy in God's eyes, as seen in [Exodus 29:37](/exodus/29-37 "Exodus 29:37 - The Altar's Sanctifying Power").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Matthew 23:19](/matthew/23-19 "Matthew 23:19 - The Altar Sanctifies the Gift"), with its condemnation of the Pharisees' spiritual blindness and their inverted understanding of holiness, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. Jesus is the ultimate "Altar" who sanctifies the "gift." He is the one through whom all true consecration and access to God are made possible. The Old Testament altar, which made the gift holy, foreshadowed Christ, who, by His perfect sacrifice, sanctifies not just offerings, but humanity itself. The author of Hebrews declares that believers "have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle" ([Hebrews 13:10](/hebrews/13-10 "Hebrews 13:10 - The Christian Altar")), referring to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. Just as the physical altar consecrated the material gift, Christ, through His blood, consecrates and cleanses those who believe in Him, making them holy and acceptable to God ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ")). The Pharisees' error was valuing the material over the means of sanctification; in Christ, we see that the means of our sanctification is not a physical object, but the living Lord who gave Himself as the ultimate "gift" on the "altar" of the cross, thereby making us truly holy and bringing us into genuine communion with God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). He is the true and greater Altar, making all who are placed upon Him (through faith) eternally holy.

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

Exodus 29:37

Seven 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.

Exodus 30:29

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