New International Version You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? New Living Translation Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? English Standard Version You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? Berean Standard Bible You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? Berean Literal Bible Foolish and blind ones! For which is greater: the gold, or the temple having sanctified the gold? King James Bible Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? New King James Version Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? New American Standard Bible You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? NASB 1995 “You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? NASB 1977 “You fools and blind men; which is more important, the gold, or the temple that sanctified the gold? Legacy Standard Bible You fools and blind men! For which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold? Amplified Bible You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary of the temple that sanctified the gold? Berean Annotated Bible You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? Christian Standard Bible Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? Holman Christian Standard Bible Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold? American Standard Version Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold? Contemporary English Version You blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred? English Revised Version Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold? GOD'S WORD® Translation You blind fools! What is more important, the gold or the temple that made the gold holy? Good News Translation Blind fools! Which is more important, the gold or the Temple which makes the gold holy? International Standard Version You blind fools! What is more important, the gold or the sanctuary that made the gold holy? NET Bible Blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred? New Heart English Bible You blind fools. For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctified the gold? Webster's Bible Translation Ye fools, and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? Weymouth New Testament "Blind fools! Why, which is greater? --the gold, or the Sanctuary which has made the gold holy? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? World English Bible You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFools and blind! For which [is] greater, the gold, or the temple that is sanctifying the gold? Berean Literal Bible Foolish and blind ones! For which is greater: the gold, or the temple having sanctified the gold? Young's Literal Translation Fools and blind! for which is greater, the gold, or the sanctuary that is sanctifying the gold? Smith's Literal Translation Foolish and blind; for which is the greater, the gold, or the temple consecrating the gold? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleYe foolish and blind; for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? Catholic Public Domain Version You are foolish and blind! For which is greater: the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold? New American Bible Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? New Revised Standard Version You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleO you fools and blind! for which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? Aramaic Bible in Plain English Fools and blind men! Which is greater, gold, or The Temple, which sanctifies the gold? NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFools and blind! for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold? Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament Ye fools and blind! for which is the greater, the gold, or the temple which consecrates the gold? Mace New Testament ye blind fools, which is most sacred, the treasure of the temple, or the temple that makes the treasure sacred? Weymouth New Testament "Blind fools! Why, which is greater? --the gold, or the Sanctuary which has made the gold holy? Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Woes to Scribes and Pharisees…16Woe 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.’ 17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? 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.’… Cross References You blind fools! Matthew 15:14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Luke 6:39 Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? John 9:39-41 Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” Which is greater: the gold, Proverbs 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. Proverbs 8:10-11 Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. / For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her. Job 28:15-19 It cannot be bought with gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. / It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. / Neither gold nor crystal can compare to it, nor jewels of fine gold be exchanged for it. … or the temple that makes it sacred? Exodus 29:37 For 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. Exodus 30:29 You are to consecrate them so that they will be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy. Haggai 2:9 The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, says the LORD of Hosts. And in this place I will provide peace, declares the LORD of Hosts.” Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. Matthew 5:33-37 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. … Matthew 16:23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 19:23-24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Luke 11:40 You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well? Luke 24:25 Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Treasury of Scripture You fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold? Ye fools. Psalm 94:8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? or. Matthew 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Exodus 30:26-29 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, … 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… Jump to Previous Blind Foolish Fools Gold Greater Holy Important Makes Ones Sacred Sanctified Sanctifies Sanctifieth Sanctifying Sanctuary Temple WhetherJump to Next Blind Foolish Fools Gold Greater Holy Important Makes Ones Sacred Sanctified Sanctifies Sanctifieth Sanctifying Sanctuary Temple WhetherMatthew 23 1. Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples5. His disciples must beware of their ambition. 13. He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness, 34. and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem. You blind fools! Jesus exposes the Pharisees’ spiritual blindness. Though they were entrusted with teaching God’s law, they had distorted its purpose through traditions that elevated technical distinctions above reverence for God. Mat 15:14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man… Which is greater: the gold, The temple’s gold was valuable and visibly associated with its splendor, but it had no sacred status apart from the place and purpose to which it was devoted. Pro 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold!… or the temple that makes it sacred? The temple was holy because it belonged to God and was set apart for His worship. By treating the gold as more important than the temple, the Pharisees revealed that they valued material objects over the God whose presence gave the temple its significance. Exo 29:37 For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar… Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, addressing the Pharisees and scribes, highlighting their spiritual blindness and misplaced priorities. 2. Pharisees and Scribes Jewish religious leaders criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and legalism. 3. Temple The sacred place in Jerusalem, central to Jewish worship and the presence of God. 4. Gold Represents material wealth and offerings, which the Pharisees valued over the spiritual significance of the temple. 5. Jerusalem The city where the temple is located, a focal point of Jewish religious life. Teaching Points Spiritual BlindnessJesus calls out the Pharisees for their inability to see beyond material wealth to the true spiritual significance of the temple. We must examine our own lives for areas where we may be spiritually blind. Prioritizing the Sacred The temple's sacredness comes from God's presence, not its material adornments. We should prioritize our relationship with God over material possessions. True Worship Worship is not about external rituals or offerings but about a heart aligned with God's will. Evaluate your worship practices to ensure they reflect genuine devotion. Value of God's Presence Recognize that God's presence in our lives is more valuable than any material wealth. Cultivate an awareness of His presence daily. Hypocrisy and Integrity Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Strive for integrity in your faith, ensuring your actions align with your beliefs. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 23:17?2. How does Matthew 23:17 challenge us to discern true spiritual priorities today? 3. What does "blind fools" reveal about the Pharisees' understanding of holiness? 4. How can we avoid valuing material wealth over spiritual truth in our lives? 5. Compare Matthew 23:17 with Proverbs 4:7 on the importance of wisdom. 6. How can we ensure our religious practices align with God's priorities? 7. Why does Matthew 23:17 call people "blind fools" regarding the value of the temple and gold? 8. How does Matthew 23:17 challenge the understanding of religious priorities and material wealth? 9. What historical context influenced Jesus' rebuke in Matthew 23:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23? Verse 17. - Ye fools. Jesus adds to "blind" the epithet "fools," which implies not only the irrationality and absurdity of their practice, but also its moral delinquency, the fool in sapiential language being the sinner. The temple that sanctifieth the gold. Our Lord shows the absurdity of this sophistical distinction. It was because the temple was the place of God's presence that what was therein was consecrated. The gold was nothing without the temple; the temple, the originally holy, is superior to the gold, the derivatively holy, and an oath that calls the temple to witness is surely obligatory. Matthew 23:17 uncovers a heart issue: valuing outward wealth and human tradition above the sacred presence of God. Jesus confronts leaders who, though experts in Scripture, are blind to its priorities. The temple’s holiness—now fulfilled in Christ—defines the worth of everything connected to it. True worshipers treasure the God who sanctifies, not the gold that adorns His house. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek [You] blindτυφλοί (typhloi) Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural Strong's 5185: Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind. fools! μωροὶ (mōroi) Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural Strong's 3474: Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid, i.e. Heedless, blockhead, absurd. Which τίς (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. is ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. greater: μείζων (meizōn) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. gold, χρυσὸς (chrysos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5557: Perhaps from the base of chraomai; gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin. or ἢ (ē) Conjunction Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. temple ναὸς (naos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3485: A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple. that makes it sacred? ἁγιάσας (hagiasas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 37: From hagios; to make holy, i.e. purify or consecrate; to venerate. Additonal Resources Matthew 23:17 Blue Letter BibleMatthew 23:17 Bible Gateway Matthew 23:17 Bible.com Matthew 23:17 NIV |
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