Matthew 23:21

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

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}.

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

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

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

Context

Matthew 23 records Jesus' severe critique of the scribes and Pharisees, a powerful denunciation delivered shortly before His crucifixion. This chapter is often referred to as the "Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees" discourse. In this passage, Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, particularly their intricate system of oaths. The religious leaders had developed a casuistry that allowed them to distinguish between oaths they considered binding and those they did not, based on the object by which one swore. For instance, they might argue that swearing by the temple itself was not binding, but swearing by the gold in the temple was. Jesus systematically dismantles this deceptive practice, revealing the spiritual bankruptcy behind their legalistic interpretations.

Key Themes

  • The Sanctity of Oaths: Jesus emphasizes that all oaths, regardless of the object by which one swears, ultimately involve God. The Pharisees' attempt to create loopholes for truthfulness is exposed as a profound misunderstanding of divine presence and integrity.
  • God's Omnipresence and Sovereignty: The verse highlights that God is not confined to human structures. Swearing by the temple is implicitly swearing by God who, though dwelling there in a special sense, is sovereign over all creation. This connects to the broader understanding that God does not dwell in temples made with human hands in an exclusive way.
  • Exposure of Hypocrisy: This teaching is part of Jesus' broader condemnation of the Pharisees' outward show of piety contrasting with their inward corruption and deceptive practices. Their manipulation of oaths revealed a deeper moral failing and a disregard for truth.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "temple" in this verse is naos (ναός), which specifically refers to the sanctuary itself—the holy place and the Holy of Holies—rather than the broader temple complex (hieron). By using naos, Jesus points directly to the sacred inner core where God's presence was believed to reside. The phrase "him that dwelleth therein" unmistakably refers to God, underscoring that any oath made in connection with the temple is, by extension, an oath made before God Himself.

Cross-References & Internal Links

This teaching expands upon Jesus' earlier instructions regarding oaths, where He commanded His followers to let their "yea be yea; and their nay, nay" (Matthew 5:34-37), thereby discouraging the practice of formal swearing altogether due to its potential for deceit. The concept of God dwelling in the temple is deeply rooted in Old Testament theology, notably seen in Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the First Temple.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 23:21 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity and truthfulness in all our words. Jesus' teaching dismantles any attempt to create categories of truth or to find loopholes in our commitments. It underscores that our words, whether spoken casually or formally, are heard by God and should reflect a heart committed to honesty. Our integrity in speech is a testament to our reverence for God, who is the ultimate source of truth. This verse calls us to live lives where our "yes" means yes, and our "no" means no, reflecting the character of Christ in all our interactions.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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