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Third Woe on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees
Here's what one commentary says.
Another commentary points to inconsistency.
Here's what Jesus said on the matter back in Matthew 5 during the Sermon on the Mount.
I think this commentary puts Matthew 23:16-23 in perspective.
Apparently the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees were doing a whole lot of swearing. I wonder how much they said "I swear to God".
Matthew 23:16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.
Here's what one commentary says.
Out of obedience to God's Word they refused to swear by the name of God (as commanded in Exodus 20:7). Yet they constructed an elaborate system of oaths, some of which were binding and some were not. It was a way of making a promise while keeping fingers crossed behind one's back.
Jesus emphasized that the altar itself is greater than the sacrifice made upon it. The altar is the established meeting place between God and man, and our altar is Jesus Himself and His work on the cross.
Having never been separated from God the Father by sin, Jesus Himself needed no altar. He had a free and glorious relationship with His Father. It was the freedom of Adam before the fall - or even more so, because Jesus had a history of relationship with His Father that Adam did not know.
It is worthy to think of the greatness of the Old Testament altar:
He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it: Jesus reminded them that every oath is binding and God holds the oath-maker to account, even if they excuse themselves.
"To the Jew an oath was absolutely binding, so long as it was a binding oath. Broadly speaking, a binding oath was an oath which definitely and without equivocation employed the name of God; such an oath must be kept, no matter what the cost. Any other oath might be legitimately broken."
Jesus emphasized that the altar itself is greater than the sacrifice made upon it. The altar is the established meeting place between God and man, and our altar is Jesus Himself and His work on the cross.
Having never been separated from God the Father by sin, Jesus Himself needed no altar. He had a free and glorious relationship with His Father. It was the freedom of Adam before the fall - or even more so, because Jesus had a history of relationship with His Father that Adam did not know.
It is worthy to think of the greatness of the Old Testament altar:
- The purpose of the altar is significant: it sanctified what was put upon it, and it sustained and bore up the sacrifice until it was consumed.
- The location of the altar is significant: it shows that we come to Jesus and His atoning work first.
- The shape of the altar is significant: it is square and perfectly proportioned, stable and unshakeable.
- The horns of the altar are significant: they show the power of God inherent in Jesus.
- The position of the altar is significant: it is not raised, but is low enough for all to approach; it has no steps that would reveal human flesh.
- The appearance of the altar is significant: it is smeared with the blood of sacrifice.
- The material of the altar is significant: it is brass, forged in the fire and able to endure the judgment of the flames.
He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it: Jesus reminded them that every oath is binding and God holds the oath-maker to account, even if they excuse themselves.
Another commentary points to inconsistency.
Inconsistency in Standards of Holiness Dishonors God (23:16-22) See comments on 5:33-37. An oath involved invoking a deity as witness to the veracity of one's claim. On the popular level, people had begun using many surrogate phrases for God's name, hoping to avoid judgment if they broke the oath. Pharisees endeavored to distinguish which oath phrases were actually binding, but Jesus rejected such casuistry.
Here's what Jesus said on the matter back in Matthew 5 during the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
I think this commentary puts Matthew 23:16-23 in perspective.
A common swearer is worthy of no credit, when, even in the most solemn manner he takes an oath before a magistrate; he is so accustomed to stake his truth, perhaps even his soul, to things whether true or false, that an oath cannot bind him, and indeed is as little respected by himself as it is by his neighbor. Common swearing, and the shocking frequency and multiplication of oaths in civil cases, have destroyed all respect for an oath; so that men seldom feel themselves bound by it; and thus it is useless in many cases to require it as a confirmation, in order to end strife or ascertain truth.
Apparently the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees were doing a whole lot of swearing. I wonder how much they said "I swear to God".