Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 23:24

"Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel!" — Matthew 23:24 (ASV)

Which strain at a gnat, etc. This is a proverb. There is, however, a mistranslation or misprint here, which makes the verse meaningless. To strain AT a gnat conveys no sense. It should have been, to strain OUT a gnat; and so it is printed in some of the earlier versions, and so it was undoubtedly rendered by the translators. The common reading is a misprint, and should be corrected. The Greek means, to strain out by a cloth or sieve.

A gnat. The gnat has its origin in the water, not in great rivers, but in pools and marshes. In the stagnant waters they appear in the form of small grubs, or larvae. These larvae retain their form for about three weeks, after which they turn to chrysalids; and after three or four days they pass to the form of gnats.

They are then distinguished by their well-known sharp sting. It is probable that the Savior here refers to the insect as it exists in its grub or larva form, before it appears in the form of a gnat. Water is then its element, and those who were particular about their drink would take care to strain it out.

Hence the proverb. See Calmet's Dictionary, article Gnat. It is here used to denote a very small matter, as a camel is to denote a large object. "You, Jews, take great care to avoid offense in very small matters, superstitiously observing the smallest points of the law, like a man carefully straining out the animalculae from his wine; while you take no care to avoid great sins—hypocrisy, deceit, oppression, and lust—like a man who should swallow a camel." The Arabians have a similar proverb: "He eats an elephant, and is suffocated with a gnat." He is troubled with little things, but pays no attention to great matters.