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Matthew 23:17

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 him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

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!

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

18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

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

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?
KJV
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
WEB
You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
ASV
Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold?
DARBY
Fools and blind, for which is greater, the gold, or the temple which sanctifies the gold?
BLB
Foolish and blind ones! For which is greater: the gold, or the temple having sanctified the gold?
ÅB
Blinde tåper! Hva er størst; gullet eller templet som gjør gullet hellig?
OTB
Dere blinde dårer! Hva er viktigst: gullet, eller tempelet som helliger gullet?
B1930
I dårer og blinde! hvad er størst, gullet, eller templet som helliger gullet?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 23:19

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

    Read in context

  • Numbers 16:38–39

    The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 94:8

    Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

    Read in context

  • Exodus 30:26–29

    And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,

    Read in context