You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?
Parallel translations
- WEB You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
- KJV Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
- NKJV Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
- NASB You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?
- NLT Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus calls them 'blind fools' and asks whether the gold or the temple that makes it holy is greater. It exposes the absurdity of valuing the lesser thing over what sanctifies it.
Overview
The leaders esteemed the temple's gold above the temple itself, reversing true priorities. Jesus shows that it is the temple, as the place of God's presence, that gives the gold its sacredness. Their distorted reasoning revealed hearts blind to what truly matters in the things of God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Matt 23:19You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?
- Num 16:38–39As for the censers of those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, hammer them into sheets to overlay the altar, for these were presented before the LORD, and so have become holy. They will serve as a sign to the Israelites.”
- Ps 94:8Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?
- Exod 30:26–29Use this oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 23:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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