Matthew 23:19

New International Reader's Version

You are blind! Which is more important? Is it the gift? Or is it the altar that makes the gift holy?

Cross References

Exodus 29:37

Take seven days to make the altar pure. Set it apart. Then the altar will be a very holy place. Anything that touches it will be holy.

Exodus 30:29

You must set them apart so that they will be very holy. Anything that touches them will be holy.

Haggai 2:12

Suppose someone carries holy meat in the clothes they are wearing. And the clothes touch some bread or stew. Or they touch some wine, olive oil or other food. Then do these things also become holy?” The priests answered, “No.”

Matthew 23:17

You are blind and foolish! Which is more important? Is it the gold? Or is it the temple that makes the gold holy?

Matthew 23:18

You also say, ‘If anyone makes a promise in the name of the altar, it means nothing. But anyone who makes a promise in the name of the gift on the altar must keep that promise.’

Matthew 23:20

So anyone making a promise in the name of the altar makes a promise in the name of it and everything on it.