Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
The Altar Sanctifies the Gift
Jesus calls the Pharisees "blind" for their illogical teaching. Commentators explain that the Pharisees claimed an oath by a gift on the altar was more binding than an oath by the altar itself. Jesus points out the simple truth: the altar, dedicated to God, is what makes the gift holy. Therefore, the altar is greater, exposing how their priorities were completely backward.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Matthew
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
6
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 23:19
18th Century
Theologian
The altar that sanctifieth the gift. The altar, dedicated to God, gave all the value or holiness to the offering, and must therefore be th…
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 23:16–19
19th Century
Preacher
The form of the fourth “woe” differs from all the rest. In the other seven, our Savior said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 23:19
See comments on 5:33–37 and 15:14 for the background and thrust of these verses. While it may be true that the rabbis fought the abuses of oaths an…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
John Gill
On Matthew 23:19
17th Century
Pastor
You fools, and blind
This is very justly repeated, since this is no less an instance of their folly, blindness, and …
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 23:13–33
17th Century
Minister
The scribes and Pharisees were enemies of the gospel of Christ, and therefore of the salvation of people's souls. It is bad to keep away from Chris…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 23:13–33
13th Century
Philosopher
After He instructed the disciples and the multitudes about the caution they should have regarding the Jews' doctrine, He now directs His words to t…