You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?
Parallel translations
- WEB You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
- KJV Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
- NKJV Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
- NASB You blind men, which is more important, the offering or the altar that sanctifies the offering?
- NLT How blind! For which is more important—the gift on the altar or the altar that makes the gift 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
Again Jesus calls them blind and asks which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies it. It drives home that the consecrating thing outranks what it consecrates.
Overview
The altar makes the offering holy, so to elevate the gift above the altar is foolish. Jesus presses the point that their oath-distinctions were not only dishonest but spiritually blind. True reverence recognizes God's order and refuses to manipulate sacred things for self-serving ends.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Exod 29:37For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.
- Exod 30:29You are to consecrate them so that they will be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy.
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.'
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Original language
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