Matthew 23:17

17 stulti et caeci quid enim maius est aurum an templum quod sanctificat aurum

Matthew 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.

Matthew 23:17 In-Context

15 vae vobis scribae et Pharisaei hypocritae quia circuitis mare et aridam ut faciatis unum proselytum et cum fuerit factus facitis eum filium gehennae duplo quam vos
16 vae vobis duces caeci qui dicitis quicumque iuraverit per templum nihil est qui autem iuraverit in aurum templi debet
17 stulti et caeci quid enim maius est aurum an templum quod sanctificat aurum
18 et quicumque iuraverit in altari nihil est quicumque autem iuraverit in dono quod est super illud debet
19 caeci quid enim maius est donum an altare quod sanctificat donu
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.