Matthew 23:19

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

Majority Standard Bible

In The King James Version

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

In Context

18And 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.’

20So then, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.

Read all of Matthew 23

Cross References

Exodus 29:37For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.

Matthew Henry on Matthew 23:14-34

The Crimes of the Pharisees. 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Matthew 23:19