Key Verse Spotlight
Matthew 23:16 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
King James Version
" 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! "
Matthew 23:16
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
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.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
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!
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
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From This Chapter
Matthew 23:1
"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,"
Matthew 23:2
"Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:"
Matthew 23:3
"All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."
Matthew 23:4
"For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."
Matthew 23:5
"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,"
Matthew 23:6
"And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,"
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