Matthew 23:21

KJV

And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} whoso shall swear {G3660} by {G1722} the temple {G3485}, sweareth {G3660} by {G1722} it {G846}, and {G2532} by {G1722} him that dwelleth {G2730} therein {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And someone who swears by the Temple swears by it and the One who lives in it

Berean Standard Bible

And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the One who dwells in it.

American Standard Version

And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 23:21 is a pivotal statement within Jesus' scathing denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, exposing their profound hypocrisy regarding oaths. In this verse, Jesus directly refutes their casuistry, which sought to distinguish between binding and non-binding oaths based on the object sworn by. He declares that swearing by the temple implicitly involves swearing by the One who dwells within it—God Himself—thereby rendering all such oaths ultimately sacred and binding, and revealing the spiritual bankruptcy of their attempts to manipulate truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 23 records Jesus' final and most severe public condemnation of the religious leaders in Jerusalem, delivered just days before His crucifixion. This chapter is a crescendo of "woes" (Matthew 23:13-36), systematically dismantling the outward piety of the scribes and Pharisees while exposing their inner corruption, pride, and legalistic perversions of God's law. Prior to Matthew 23:21, Jesus has already condemned their ostentatious displays of religiosity (Matthew 23:5-7) and their desire for honor (Matthew 23:8-12). The immediate context (Matthew 23:16-22) focuses specifically on their intricate and self-serving system of oaths, where they taught that swearing by the temple was not binding, but swearing by the gold in the temple was, and similarly for the altar and the gift on it. Jesus' statement in Matthew 23:21 directly challenges this deceptive casuistry, demonstrating the interconnectedness of all things with God's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, oaths were a common and serious practice, used to affirm truthfulness, seal agreements, or make vows. While the Old Testament permitted oaths under certain circumstances (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:13](/deuteronomy/6-13 "Deuteronomy 6:13 - Swearing by God's Name")), it also strictly warned against false oaths or swearing by false gods (e.g., [Leviticus 19:12](/leviticus/19-12 "Leviticus 19:12 - Do Not Swear Falsely")). Over time, rabbinic traditions developed complex interpretations regarding oaths, often seeking to define which oaths were binding and which were not, creating loopholes for dishonesty. The Pharisees, in particular, were known for their meticulous adherence to oral traditions, which sometimes led to an emphasis on external observance over internal righteousness. Their distinction between swearing by the temple and by the gold in the temple, or by the altar and by the gift on it, was a prime example of this legalistic hair-splitting, designed to allow them to evade commitments while maintaining an appearance of piety.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and Jesus' teaching. It underscores the **sanctity of truth and integrity**, revealing that God's presence permeates all aspects of life, making any attempt to compartmentalize truth or create loopholes for dishonesty futile and offensive to Him. It highlights Jesus' consistent critique of **religious hypocrisy**, exposing how the Pharisees' outward show of piety masked a deeper moral failing and a disregard for genuine righteousness. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **God's omnipresence and sovereignty**, asserting that God is not confined to human structures or rituals, but His authority extends over all creation. This aligns with the broader biblical understanding that [God cannot be contained by human temples](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made by Hands") and that [His presence sanctifies all things](/exodus/29-37 "Exodus 29:37 - The Altar Becomes Most Holy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **swear (Greek, _omnýō'_):** This verb means "to take (or declare on) oath." In this context, it refers to the solemn act of making a vow or assertion, invoking a higher power or sacred object as a guarantor of truth. The Pharisees' practice involved using such oaths to affirm or deny statements, but with a deceptive system of binding and non-binding declarations. Jesus' use of this word highlights the seriousness with which God views all verbal commitments.
* **temple (Greek, _naós'_):** This word specifically denotes the inner sanctuary of the temple, comprising the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, where God's presence was believed to reside. It is distinct from _hieron_, which refers to the broader temple complex, including the outer courts. By using _naós_, Jesus zeroes in on the most sacred part of the temple, emphasizing that even swearing by this physical structure implicitly connects one to the divine presence associated with it.
* **dwelleth (Greek, _katoikéō'_):** This verb means "to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)." It signifies a settled, abiding presence. In the context of the temple, it refers to God's special, though not exclusive, presence within the Holy of Holies. Jesus' statement directly links the act of swearing by the temple to the One who permanently resides there, making it clear that any oath connected to the temple ultimately involves God Himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And whoso shall swear by the temple":** This clause introduces the specific practice of the Pharisees that Jesus is addressing. They had developed a system where swearing by the physical structure of the temple was considered less binding than swearing by the gold within it, allowing them to make statements they could later retract without feeling morally compromised. Jesus is directly confronting this legalistic loophole.
* **"sweareth by it":** This phrase affirms the immediate and direct connection between the oath-taker and the temple itself. It acknowledges the Pharisees' premise that swearing by the temple means swearing by the temple. However, Jesus immediately expands upon this, showing the deeper spiritual reality they ignored.
* **"and by him that dwelleth therein":** This is the crucial interpretive key provided by Jesus. He reveals the profound theological truth that swearing by the temple is not merely an oath by a building, but by the God whose presence sanctifies that building. The "him that dwelleth therein" unmistakably refers to God, particularly in His unique manifestation within the Holy of Holies. By making this connection, Jesus dismantles the Pharisees' deceptive casuistry, demonstrating that all oaths made in connection with the temple are ultimately made before God, rendering them sacred and binding.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 23:21 employs several powerful literary devices. The primary device is **Argument from Lesser to Greater (A Fortiori)**, a common rabbinic method of argumentation. Jesus argues that if swearing by the temple (the lesser) is binding, then swearing by the One who dwells within it (the greater, God Himself) is undeniably binding. This logical progression exposes the absurdity and spiritual blindness of the Pharisees' distinctions. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as the very religious leaders who claimed to uphold God's law were actively devising ways to circumvent the spirit of that law, particularly regarding truthfulness. Jesus' statement turns their own legalistic framework against them, revealing their self-deception. Furthermore, the verse uses **Metonymy**, where "the temple" stands in for the divine presence associated with it, highlighting the inherent sanctity and connection to God that the Pharisees attempted to ignore.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 23:21 profoundly underscores the biblical truth that God is the ultimate guarantor of all oaths and that true integrity in speech is paramount. The Pharisees' attempt to create a hierarchy of oaths, distinguishing between those that were binding and those that were not, revealed a deep misunderstanding of God's omnipresence and His demand for absolute truthfulness. Jesus' teaching here collapses any such artificial distinctions, asserting that because God's presence pervades all things, especially those dedicated to Him, any oath made in connection with sacred objects or places ultimately invokes Him. This means that all speech, particularly solemn declarations, carries divine weight and demands a heart committed to honesty, reflecting the character of God Himself, who is truth.

* [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")
* [Psalm 15:4](/psalms/15-4 "Psalm 15:4 - The One Who Swears to His Own Hurt and Does Not Change")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 23:21 serves as a timeless call to radical integrity in our speech. In a world where commitments are often taken lightly and truth can feel fluid, Jesus' words remind us that our words carry weight, not just before others, but before God. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we seek loopholes in our promises, or do we strive for unwavering honesty in all our dealings? It's not just about formal oaths, but about the integrity of our everyday "yes" and "no." Living out this truth means cultivating a character where our word is our bond, reflecting the faithfulness of God Himself. It calls us to live transparently, without pretense or deception, recognizing that every word we utter is ultimately spoken in the presence of the One who dwells in all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the Pharisees, seek to create "loopholes" for my own integrity or commitments?**
* **How does understanding God's omnipresence impact my view of the seriousness of my words and promises?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater truthfulness and integrity in my daily speech and actions?**

### FAQ
**What was the Pharisees' specific teaching on oaths that Jesus was addressing?**

Answer: The Pharisees had developed a complex system of casuistry regarding oaths, distinguishing between those they considered binding and those they did not. For example, they taught that swearing "by the temple" was not binding, but swearing "by the gold of the temple" was (Matthew 23:16). Similarly, swearing "by the altar" was not binding, but swearing "by the gift on the altar" was (Matthew 23:18). Jesus condemned this system because it allowed them to evade the spirit of truthfulness and integrity, creating artificial distinctions where none existed in God's eyes.

**Why did Jesus say swearing by the temple also meant swearing by "him that dwelleth therein"?**

Answer: Jesus' point was that the temple, particularly the _naós_ (the inner sanctuary), was considered holy precisely because of God's special presence dwelling within it, specifically in the Holy of Holies. Therefore, to swear by the temple was, by extension, to invoke the very presence of God who sanctified the temple. The Pharisees' attempt to separate the physical structure from the divine presence was a theological error and a moral deception. Jesus highlights that the sanctity of the temple derived from God, making any oath connected to it ultimately an oath before God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 23:21, while a sharp rebuke to the Pharisees, ultimately points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence and truth in Jesus Christ. The temple, as the dwelling place of God, was a shadow of the reality to come. Jesus Himself declared, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")", referring to the temple of His body. He is the true and ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity, the very [Word made flesh who tabernacled among us](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Therefore, all truth, all covenants, and all integrity find their ultimate source and guarantee in Christ. He is the [Truth](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life") incarnate, and His life perfectly exemplified the absolute integrity that the Pharisees so lacked. For believers, our oaths and promises are not made by a physical temple, but are to be lived out in light of our union with Christ, who is the [temple of God](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21 - Christ as the Cornerstone of the Temple") and in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9). Thus, to swear by the temple, or by anything else, is ultimately to swear by the God revealed in Jesus Christ, the one who is faithful and true.

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

Psalms 26:8

LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

1 Kings 8:13

I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

2 Chronicles 6:2

But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.

2 Chronicles 7:2

And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.

Psalms 132:13

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.

Psalms 132:14

This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

Colossians 2:9

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.