Matthew 23:16

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!

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}!

"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.'

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.’

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

Matthew 23:16 is part of Jesus' strong denunciation of the religious leaders of his day, the scribes and Pharisees. Here, he begins a series of 'woes,' condemning their hypocrisy and distorted understanding of God's law.

Context

This verse is the first of several "woes" (curses or pronouncements of judgment) that Jesus pronounces against the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew chapter 23. Jesus addresses them directly, exposing their spiritual blindness and their practice of laying heavy burdens on others while failing to uphold true righteousness. This specific woe highlights their corrupt system of oaths, where they made distinctions that prioritized material wealth over the sanctity of the temple itself. The entire chapter serves as a powerful critique of religious hypocrisy and false leadership. For another example of these pronouncements, see Matthew 23:13.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy: The leaders claimed spiritual authority but practiced deceit and manipulation, especially regarding financial gain.
  • Misplaced Priorities: They valued the gold within the temple more than the sacredness of the temple structure itself, revealing a focus on wealth over spiritual truth.
  • Blind Guides: Jesus calls them "blind guides" (Greek: typhloi hodēgoi), emphasizing their lack of spiritual insight and their inability to lead others correctly on the path of righteousness. They were spiritually blind and leading others into error.
  • Distorted Oaths: Their teaching on oaths created loopholes that allowed them to break vows made by the temple while binding those made by its wealth, demonstrating a perversion of religious commitment for financial advantage. This contrasts sharply with Jesus' teaching on oaths in Matthew 5:34-37.

Linguistic Insights

The term "blind guides" (typhloi hodēgoi) is a significant descriptor. It implies a profound lack of spiritual understanding and the dangerous consequence of such leadership – leading others into ditches or away from truth. Their legalistic distinctions about swearing by the temple versus swearing by its gold illustrate a twisted logic that prioritized the physical object (gold) over the spiritual significance of the place of worship (the temple).

Reflection

This verse challenges us to examine our own spiritual priorities. Are we more concerned with outward appearances, rules, or material gain, or with the true substance of faith and righteous living? Jesus' condemnation of the "blind guides" serves as a warning against following or becoming leaders who prioritize worldly things over spiritual truth and genuine service. It calls us to seek true spiritual insight and integrity, ensuring our commitments (oaths, vows, promises) are sincere and grounded in reverence for God, not in clever loopholes for personal benefit. Consider how this teaching relates to Jesus' call to cleanse the inside of the cup.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 15:14 (7 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 23:17 (4 votes)

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

  • James 5:12 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 15:5 (3 votes)

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