Matthew 23:17
New International Version
You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

New Living Translation
Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred?

English Standard Version
You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred?

Berean Standard Bible
You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?

Berean Literal Bible
Foolish and blind! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple having sanctified the gold?

King James Bible
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

New King James Version
Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

New American Standard Bible
You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?

NASB 1995
“You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?

NASB 1977
“You fools and blind men; which is more important, the gold, or the temple that sanctified the gold?

Legacy Standard Bible
You fools and blind men! For which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold?

Amplified Bible
You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary of the temple that sanctified the gold?

Christian Standard Bible
Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold?

American Standard Version
Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold?

Contemporary English Version
You blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

English Revised Version
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You blind fools! What is more important, the gold or the temple that made the gold holy?

Good News Translation
Blind fools! Which is more important, the gold or the Temple which makes the gold holy?

International Standard Version
You blind fools! What is more important, the gold or the sanctuary that made the gold holy?

Majority Standard Bible
You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?

NET Bible
Blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

New Heart English Bible
You blind fools. For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctified the gold?

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye fools, and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Weymouth New Testament
"Blind fools! Why, which is greater? --the gold, or the Sanctuary which has made the gold holy?

World English Bible
You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Fools and blind! For which [is] greater, the gold, or the temple that is sanctifying the gold?

Berean Literal Bible
Foolish and blind! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple having sanctified the gold?

Young's Literal Translation
Fools and blind! for which is greater, the gold, or the sanctuary that is sanctifying the gold?

Smith's Literal Translation
Foolish and blind; for which is the greater, the gold, or the temple consecrating the gold?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Ye foolish and blind; for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Catholic Public Domain Version
You are foolish and blind! For which is greater: the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

New American Bible
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred?

New Revised Standard Version
You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O you fools and blind! for which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Fools and blind men! Which is greater, gold, or The Temple, which sanctifies the gold?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Fools and blind! for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

Godbey New Testament
Ye fools and blind: for which is the greater, the gold, or the temple sanctifying the gold?

Haweis New Testament
Ye fools and blind! for which is the greater, the gold, or the temple which consecrates the gold?

Mace New Testament
ye blind fools, which is most sacred, the treasure of the temple, or the temple that makes the treasure sacred?

Weymouth New Testament
"Blind fools! Why, which is greater? --the gold, or the Sanctuary which has made the gold holy?

Worrell New Testament
Fools, and blind! for which is greater—the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?

Worsley New Testament
but if any man swear by the gold of the temple, the oath is binding. Foolish and blind creatures! for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woes to Scribes and Pharisees
16Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? 18And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’…

Cross References
Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Matthew 16:23
But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

Luke 11:40
You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well?

Luke 24:25
Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

John 9:39-41
Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Romans 1:21-22
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

1 Corinthians 1:20
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

1 Corinthians 3:18-20
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Galatians 3:1-3
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. / I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? / Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?

Ephesians 4:17-18
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. / They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.


Treasury of Scripture

You fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

Ye fools.

Psalm 94:8
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

or.

Matthew 23:19
Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Exodus 30:26-29
And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, …

Numbers 16:38,39
The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel…

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Matthew 23
1. Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples
5. His disciples must beware of their ambition.
13. He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,
34. and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.














You blind fools!
This phrase is a strong rebuke from Jesus, emphasizing the spiritual blindness and foolishness of the religious leaders. The Greek word for "blind" is "τυφλοί" (typhloi), which implies a lack of spiritual insight or perception. In the context of first-century Judaism, the Pharisees and scribes were seen as spiritual guides, yet Jesus highlights their inability to see the truth. The term "fools" comes from the Greek "μωροί" (moroi), suggesting a lack of wisdom or understanding. This rebuke is not just an insult but a call to recognize their failure to grasp the deeper truths of God's kingdom.

Which is greater the gold
Here, Jesus challenges the misplaced priorities of the religious leaders. The focus on "gold" reflects a materialistic and superficial understanding of what is truly valuable. In the temple, gold was used extensively, symbolizing wealth and splendor. However, Jesus points out that their emphasis on gold over spiritual matters reveals their misguided values. The Greek word for "greater" is "μείζων" (meizon), indicating something of more importance or value. This rhetorical question forces the leaders to reconsider what they truly hold as sacred.

or the temple that makes it sacred?
The "temple" in this context refers to the holy place where God's presence dwelt among His people. The Greek word for "temple" is "ναός" (naos), which specifically denotes the inner sanctuary. Jesus is highlighting that it is not the gold that sanctifies, but the temple itself, representing God's presence and holiness. This statement underscores the idea that spiritual realities and divine presence are far more significant than material wealth. The religious leaders' failure to understand this reflects their spiritual blindness and misplaced priorities. Jesus calls them to recognize the true source of holiness and value, which is found in God's presence, not in earthly riches.

Verse 17. - Ye fools. Jesus adds to "blind" the epithet "fools," which implies not only the irrationality and absurdity of their practice, but also its moral delinquency, the fool in sapiential language being the sinner. The temple that sanctifieth the gold. Our Lord shows the absurdity of this sophistical distinction. It was because the temple was the place of God's presence that what was therein was consecrated. The gold was nothing without the temple; the temple, the originally holy, is superior to the gold, the derivatively holy, and an oath that calls the temple to witness is surely obligatory.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[You] blind
τυφλοί (typhloi)
Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5185: Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.

fools!
μωροὶ (mōroi)
Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3474: Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid, i.e. Heedless, blockhead, absurd.

Which
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

is
ἐστίν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

greater:
μείζων (meizōn)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

gold,
χρυσὸς (chrysos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5557: Perhaps from the base of chraomai; gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple
ναὸς (naos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3485: A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple.

that makes it sacred?
ἁγιάσας (hagiasas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 37: From hagios; to make holy, i.e. purify or consecrate; to venerate.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 23:17 You blind fools! (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 23:16
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