Mattheüs 23:21

21 En wie zweert bij den tempel, die zweert bij denzelven, en bij Dien, Die daarin woont

Mattheüs 23:21 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 23:21

And whoso shall swear by the temple
As we have before seen they used to do, and as appears from what the poet says ^F23:

Ecce negas, jurasque mihi per templa tonantis Non credo: jura, verpe, per Anchialum.

In which he intimates, that if the Jew swore by the temple, he would not believe him; as well he might not, since such an oath was accounted nothing; but bids him swear by Anchialus, that is, by (hwla) (yx) , "Chi Eloah", or (Nwyle yx) , "Chi Alon", or "Elion, the living God", or (Mlweh yh) , "Chi Haolam, he that lives for ever" ^F24; and suggests, that he should then believe him. Now our Lord, though he did not allow of such swearing, yet justly argues, that he that sweareth by the temple, not only "sweareth by it", which could not be a witness of what was swore; but he must be interpreted to swear by the inhabitant of it, and by him that dwelleth in it; that is, God, for whom it was built, to whom it was dedicated; where he was worshipped, and where he vouchsafed to reside; taking up his dwelling between the cherubim upon the mercy seat, in the most holy place; from whence he communed with men, and gave tokens of his presence; and who only could be the proper witness of the truth, or falsehood, of what was swore; and therefore an oath, by the temple, ought to be looked upon as if made by God himself, and so to be sacred and binding.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F23 Martial. Epigr. l. 11. Ep. 60.
F24 Vid. Selden. Prolegomena ad lib. de Successionibus.

Mattheüs 23:21 In-Context

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

20 Daarom wie zweert bij het altaar, die zweert bij hetzelve, en bij al wat daarop is.

21 En wie zweert bij den tempel, die zweert bij denzelven, en bij Dien, Die daarin woont

22 En wie zweert bij den hemel, die zweert bij den troon Gods, en bij Dien, Die daarop zit.

23 Wee u, gij Schriftgeleerden en Farizeen, gij geveinsden, want gij vertient de munte, en de dille, en den komijn, en gij laat na het zwaarste der wet, namelijk het oordeel, en de barmhartigheid, en het geloof. Deze dingen moest men doen, en de andere niet nalaten.