Matthew 23:20

20 So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it;

Matthew 23:20 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 23:20

Whosoever therefore shall swear by the altar,
&c.] Not that Christ allowed of swearing by the altar, or by the temple, or by heaven, or by any creature, animate or inanimate; for such swearing is elsewhere disapproved of by him, and forbid, but if a man did swear by the altar, he ought to know, and consider that he not only

sweareth by it,
but by all the gifts, and offerings that are brought, and laid upon it,

and by all things thereon;
whatever gifts and sacrifices are offered upon it; which, by being put there, become holy, as the altar itself: so that he that swears by the altar, swears also by the gifts of the altar; and consequently, according to their own traditions, such oaths must be binding.

Matthew 23:20 In-Context

18 And you say, "Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.'

19 How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred

20 So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it;

21 and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it

22 and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.