Matthew 23:21
And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτόν
it
G846
αὐτόν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 26:8LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.1 Kings 8:13I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.2 Chronicles 6:2But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.
Historical Context
Solomon's Temple and its Second Temple successor (expanded by Herod) represented God's earthly dwelling place among His people. The Holy of Holies contained the Ark (in Solomon's Temple) or was empty (in the Second Temple), yet God's presence still sanctified the structure. Psalms 27:4, 132:13-14 celebrate God dwelling in His sanctuary.
Questions for Reflection
- How do people today invoke God's name religiously while avoiding submission to His authority?
- What does God's dwelling in the Temple teach about the incarnation—God dwelling in Christ's body (John 2:21)?
- Why is it impossible to separate sacred symbols from the God they represent?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein—the verb katoikounti (κατοικοῦντι, dwelling) is a present participle describing God's continuous habitation in the Temple. Jesus's argument climaxes: swearing by the Temple invokes God Himself, who dwells there. The phrase en autō kai en tō katoikounti auton (ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐν τῷ κατοικοῦντι αὐτόν) links the physical structure inseparably to the divine presence inhabiting it.
The Temple's holiness derived entirely from God's shekinah glory dwelling there (1 Kings 8:10-11). To swear by the Temple while claiming not to invoke God was theological nonsense—the building's significance was God's presence, nothing else. Jesus exposes the Pharisees' pretense: they wanted to appear religious (swearing by holy things) while avoiding accountability to God. Tragically, within 40 years, God would abandon this Temple (Matthew 23:38), and Rome would destroy it (Matthew 24:2).