Matthew 23:20

20 He who swears by the altar swears both 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, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the offering lying on it is bound by the oath.'

19 "You are blind! Why, which is greater? --the offering, or the altar which makes the offering holy

20 He who swears by the altar swears both by it and by everything on it;

21 he who swears by the Sanctuary swears both by it and by Him who dwells in it

22 and he who swears by Heaven swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.