Mattheüs 23:17

17 Gij dwazen en blinden, want wat is meerder, het goud, of de tempel, die het goud heiligt?

Mattheüs 23:17 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 23:17

Ye fools, and blind
That argue after so ridiculous a manner, that make use of such thin sophistry, that everybody may see through it; who must be stupid and sottish to the last degree, and their minds foolishly blinded with avarice; as to please and satisfy themselves: with so poor a distinction; that would by no means serve them, but make against them:

for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the
gold?
The temple, to be sure: for that was the seat of the divine majesty; built for him to dwell in, and in which he took up his residence; and was dedicated to his service, and in it was divine worship performed unto him. The temple was sanctified by the presence of God in it; and the gold sanctified by the temple, being devoted to the service of it: whatever holiness it had, it had it from the temple, and therefore the temple must be greater than that; and consequently it must be most extravagantly ridiculous and foolish in them, to make oaths by the gold of the temple, and gifts dedicated to its service, and on that score sanctified by it, more binding and sacred than such as were by the temple itself.

Mattheüs 23:17 In-Context

15 Wee u, gij Schriftgeleerden en Farizeen, gij geveinsden, want gij omreist zee en land, om een Jodengenoot te maken, en als hij het geworden is, zo maakt gij hem een kind der helle, tweemaal meer dan gij zijt.

16 Wee u, gij blinde leidslieden, die zegt: Zo wie gezworen zal hebben bij den tempel, dat is niets; maar zo wie gezworen zal hebben bij het goud des tempels, die is schuldig.

17 Gij dwazen en blinden, want wat is meerder, het goud, of de tempel, die het goud heiligt?

18 En zo wie gezworen zal hebben bij het altaar, dat is niets; maar zo wie gezworen zal hebben bij de gave, die daarop is, die is schuldig.

19 Gij dwazen en blinden, want wat is meerder, de gave, of het altaar, dat de gave heiligt