Woe to you, blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but he that shall swear by the gold of the temple is a debtor.
ουαι υμιν οδηγοι τυφλοι οι λεγοντες ος αν ομοση εν τω ναω ουδεν εστιν ος δ αν ομοση εν τω χρυσω του ναου οφειλει
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse
He refers to the Pharisees as blind because they choose not to instruct others in the essential truths; instead, they prioritize lesser matters over the most crucial ones. They value gold, cherubim, and golden images in the temple more than the temple itself. As a result, they have conveyed to the people that swearing by the temple holds little significance, while swearing by the gold that decorates the temple is of greater importance.
We have previously clarified the concept of the Pharisees' tradition, which included the notion that any gift from an individual was deemed beneficial. While the dual tradition of the Pharisees is rebuked, it still provides an opportunity to indulge the same greed, revealing their practices as motivated by profit rather than reverence for God. Just as their ostentatious storage and elaborate garments projected an image of sanctity that drew in wealth, the deceitful traditions portrayed them as teachers of unrighteousness. In disputes or conflicting situations, if someone swore by the temple and was later proven to be dishonest, according to this tradition, they were not held accountable for their oath. Conversely, if an individual swore by gold or possessions offered to the priests at the temple, they were instantly required to repay the pledged amount.
In chapter fifteen, there is an elucidation of the phrase, "Leaders are blind men who are blind" (Matthew 15:14). When someone made an oath, they declared that if it was made by the temple, it held no weight; however, if the oath was made by a golden vessel, they deemed it obligatory. This illustrates their misguided teachings, which are here subjected to scorn.
Jesus critiques the elevation of human doctrines and the disregard for the teachings of the prophets, as the misguided sought recognition while ignoring that which is truly sacred. The law, given by Him, does not embody righteousness inherently; rather, it serves to promote it. The adornments of the altar and temple are not the ultimate focus of worship; instead, they symbolize the forthcoming genuine reverence. Materials like gold, silver, bronze, copper, pearls, and crystal each possess distinct significance based on their intrinsic qualities.
Thus, Jesus admonishes those who revere the gold of the temple and offerings made at the altar, emphasizing that it is the temple and altar themselves that merit greater honor, as these materials and gifts are mere representations of what is to come. With Christ's arrival, reliance on the law loses its meaning, for it is not through the law that one finds Christ, but in Christ that the law finds its sanctification, establishing Him upon His throne. Those who pursue true spirituality must receive it from Him who reigns on that throne. Therefore, the individuals who exalt the sacred yet overlook holiness itself are indeed foolish and blind.
The Pharisee, satisfied with the outward expressions of faith and performing visible acts of kindness akin to those of non-believers, is enslaved by his desires, which he diligently conceals and largely fails to recognize within himself. This mental state leads him to total spiritual blindness regarding God and Divine truth. True understanding and awareness of the soul’s passions come through repentance, yet the Pharisee remains impervious to this sense of contrition. How can a heart that finds contentment in its state ever become broken or humble? Devoid of repentance, he cannot perceive the illuminating light of God’s commandments that clarify the mind’s vision.
Although he engages with the Scriptures and acknowledges these laws, his spiritual darkness prevents him from contemplating them deeply; they elude his grasp as he substitutes them with his own foolish and distorted notions. Nothing could be more absurd and inconsistent than the cunning interpretations attributed to the Pharisees in the Gospel. They claimed that if anyone swore by the temple, it meant nothing, but swearing by the temple’s gold held significance. Ignoring the essence of God's commandments, which embody the core of the Law, the Pharisees pursue intricate observances of minor details, often violating the commandments in the process. The holy directives of God, through which eternal life is found, are entirely overlooked and forgotten by them. The Lord admonished, “You have forsaken the greater things of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith... leaders of the blind, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel” (Matthew 23:23-24).
Woe to you, misguided guides, for you seek to lead others toward the Kingdom of Heaven, yet you remain blind to the path yourselves. What irrational conclusions do you draw when you assert that if anyone declares, by the Messiah, it carries no weight—something you claim is insignificant, as if one could alter such a solemn promise? Yet, if anyone invokes the gold of the temple, the ornate gold items, the gold vessels, the holy objects, or the gold that adorns the gates and different areas of the temple, or even the gold stored in the temple treasury, that individual is deemed RESPONSIBLE and must uphold their vow. Should they fail to do so, they shall incur punishment as a transgressor.
The fourth point addresses the distortion of the law through convoluted interpretations.
Woe to you, leaders who are spiritually blind, attempting to guide others towards the Kingdom of Heaven, yet unable to discern the genuine path from the false one! In this state of blindness, you instruct the people that it is acceptable to disregard oaths with impunity, provided they select the right oath for that purpose. You believe that one can mislead others by swearing by the temple and its altar, viewing the fulfillment of such an oath as nonessential. Yet, you demand adherence to oaths when someone swears by the golden vessels and adornments of the temple or by the offerings placed on the altar. O foolish and blind guides! The temple is far more sacred than the gold it contains, which derives its sanctity from the temple itself.
Likewise, the altar, which sanctifies the offering, surpasses the offering in importance. How is it that you do not comprehend that swearing by the altar also encompasses everything upon it? Similarly, to swear by the temple is to invoke not only the gold within but also God, who dwells invisibly there, just as to swear by heaven is to invoke its ever-present Creator. Blessed Theophylact notes that anyone who swore by a golden vessel or a sacrificial animal and then violated that oath was required to make restitution to the temple for what they swore by; the Pharisees, however, valued gold and sacrifices over the temple itself, motivated by the profits associated with the sacrifices. Since it was not feasible to hold the person who swore by the temple accountable for the oath they broke—given the lack of profit from such a breach—they permitted the violation of those oaths.
"Guides of the blind" refers to those who lead others but lack spiritual insight themselves; they serve as markers pointing towards the path of the Kingdom of Heaven while remaining oblivious to it. - "Whoever swears by the temple": see commentary on Matthew 5:33-37. - "That is nothing": indicates that such an oath is not mandatory; breaking it does not result in condemnation, and the individual remains innocent. - "The gold of the temple": this includes the temple's golden adornments, such as sacred vessels and other holy items, as well as the gold with which the gates and various structures of the temple were decorated, or the treasure held within the temple's treasury.
It is evident that the Pharisees considered this gold to hold greater sanctity than the temple itself, though the reasoning behind this is unclear. - "Obedient": this signifies a commitment to uphold one's oath, and failure to do so would render the individual liable for the transgression of breaking it.
The fourth lamentation addresses the issue of spiritual blindness and the distortion of the true significance of oaths. The scribes and Pharisees, having permitted oaths by created entities such as heaven, earth, the sun, Jerusalem, and the temple, categorized oaths into those considered greater and lesser. Driven by self-interest, they regarded the temple's treasures and sacrificial offerings as some of the most significant and sacred oaths. Jesus Christ previously highlighted how these misinterpreters of the law prioritized sacrificial vows over the unchanging command of God to honor one’s father and mother (Matthew 15:4-6).
In this instance, He strongly rebuked the deliberate folly into which the spiritually blind leaders led the people: Woe unto you, you blind guides, who claim that swearing by the church means nothing, while swearing by the gold of the church carries weight. You blind guides, which is more significant: gold, or the sanctuary that sanctifies the gold? And he who swears by the altar shall not partake, but whoever swears by the gift upon it may eat. You blind guides, which holds more importance: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? As explained by the esteemed Theophylact, according to the Pharisaical teaching, anyone who swore by a golden vessel, or a sacrificial animal, and later violated their oath was obliged to offer what they swore by to the temple, as they valued the gift over the altar for personal gain. The essence of an oath is to call upon the all-knowing and ever-present God as witness to the truth. Therefore, clarifying the true purpose of an oath, the Lord stated that anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by Him who is upon it; anyone who swears by the church swears by it and by Him who resides in it, and anyone who swears by heaven swears by the Throne of God and by the One who sits upon it.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 24 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS