Matthew 23:17
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Original Language Analysis
μωροὶ
Ye fools
G3474
μωροὶ
Ye fools
Strong's:
G3474
Word #:
1 of 16
dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e., heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τυφλοί,
blind
G5185
τυφλοί,
blind
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
3 of 16
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
τίς
whether
G5101
τίς
whether
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
4 of 16
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
μείζων
greater
G3187
μείζων
greater
Strong's:
G3187
Word #:
6 of 16
larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρυσόν;
the gold
G5557
χρυσόν;
the gold
Strong's:
G5557
Word #:
9 of 16
gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγιάζων
that sanctifieth
G37
ἁγιάζων
that sanctifieth
Strong's:
G37
Word #:
14 of 16
to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate
Historical Context
Pharisaic tradition developed elaborate casuistry about which oaths were binding. This allowed them to make promises while leaving loopholes for breaking them. Swearing 'by the Temple' could be dismissed as non-binding, but 'by the gold of the Temple' (perhaps referring to vessels or treasury) was considered binding—a distinction that served greed, not truth.
Questions for Reflection
- How does prioritizing material offerings over devotion to God still occur in Christian practice?
- What modern religious casuistry creates loopholes to avoid straightforward obedience?
- Why does Jesus call this reasoning 'foolish' and 'blind' rather than merely mistaken?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?—Jesus uses mōroi kai typhloi (μωροὶ καὶ τυφλοί, fools and blind) to describe moral and spiritual stupidity, not intellectual deficiency. The Pharisees' casuistry about oaths inverted reality: they claimed swearing by Temple gold was binding, but swearing by the Temple itself was not. Jesus exposes this as absurdly irrational.
The verb hagiazōn (ἁγιάζων, sanctifying) reveals the theological error: the Temple, as God's dwelling place, consecrates everything in it—not vice versa. The gold derives its holiness from the Temple, which derives its holiness from God's presence. By prioritizing gold over Temple, they valued material wealth over divine presence. This materialistic reversal characterized Pharisaic theology: form over substance, ritual over righteousness, money over God. Their 'blindness' was willful ignorance of obvious truth.