Matthew 23:21

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version (1901)

And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

Bible in Basic English

And he who takes an oath by the Temple, takes it by the Temple and by him whose house it is.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And whosoever shall swear by temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth in it:

Free Bible Version

If you swear by the Temple you swear by it and by the one who lives there.

Geneva Bible 1599

And whosoeuer sweareth by the Temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

King James (Authorized) Version

And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

One Unity Resource Bible

He who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who was living in it.

Translation for Translators

Those who promise to do something, and then ask the Temple to affirm what they promised, are asking that God, to whom the Temple belongs, will affirm what they have promised.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The one who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who lives in it.

Noah Webster Bible

And whoever shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth in it.

World English Bible

He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who has been living in it.

Young's Literal Translation

and he who did swear by the sanctuary, doth swear by it, and by Him who is dwelling in it;

Context

Woes to Scribes and Pharisees

²⁰So then, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.²¹And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the One who dwells in it.²²And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the One who sits on it.

Sermons

The Cry of Jonah Out of the Belly of Hell

J.C. Philpot

Summary

In this verse, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their hypocrisy in valuing the gold of the temple more than the sanctity of the temple that makes the gold sacred. He exposes their misplaced priorities and outward show of piety while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus emphasizes the importance of true worship and devotion to God over material possessions or external displays of religiosity. This rebuke serves as a reminder to focus on the heart and spiritual integrity rather than superficial appearances in serving God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he that shall swear by heaven,.... As the Jews were wont to do in common, but did not look upon such an oath as obligatory on them; See Gill on Mat 5:34, though such an one sweareth by the throne of God; for heaven is God's throne, where he sits, and, in an eminent manner, displays the glory of his majesty: and by him that sitteth thereon, by God himself. Thus swearing by anything that has any relation to God, is implicitly swearing by him; and therefore ought to be considered as binding, as if he was expressed in it; since an appeal cannot be made to things inanimate, nor indeed to any creature, but to God, the searcher of hearts.