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Matthew 23:16-24 Jesus Denounces the Religious Leaders

16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’

17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’

19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

20 Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.

21 And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it.

22 And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Read the full chapter Matthew 23

Cross References for Matthew 23:16-24

James 5:12 - Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Y... Click to read the verse James 5:12 Click to read the verse James 5:12

Matthew 15:5-6 - But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have... Click to read the verse Matthew 15:5-6 Click to read the verse Matthew 15:5-6

Mark 7:10-13 - For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or moth... Click to read the verse Mark 7:10-13 Click to read the verse Mark 7:10-13

Matthew 23:26 - Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be c... Click to read the verse Matthew 23:26 Click to read the verse Matthew 23:26

Matthew 23:17 - You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? Click to read the verse Matthew 23:17 Click to read the verse Matthew 23:17

Matthew 23:19 - You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Click to read the verse Matthew 23:19 Click to read the verse Matthew 23:19

Galatians 5:3 - Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the w... Click to read the verse Galatians 5:3 Click to read the verse Galatians 5:3

Numbers 30:2 - When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must no... Click to read the verse Numbers 30:2 Click to read the verse Numbers 30:2

Isaiah 56:10-11 - Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark;... Click to read the verse Isaiah 56:10-11 Click to read the verse Isaiah 56:10-11

Matthew 15:14 - Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Click to read the verse Matthew 15:14 Click to read the verse Matthew 15:14

Matthew 23:24 - You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Click to read the verse Matthew 23:24 Click to read the verse Matthew 23:24

John 9:39-41 - Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who... Click to read the verse John 9:39-41 Click to read the verse John 9:39-41

Zechariah 11:17 - “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his rig... Click to read the verse Zechariah 11:17 Click to read the verse Zechariah 11:17

Matthew 5:33-35 - Oaths “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, ... Click to read the verse Matthew 5:33-35 Click to read the verse Matthew 5:33-35