Their Failure To Discern What Is Truly Holy (23:16-22).
Their next condemnation lies in the fact that they lay greater emphasis on their own gifts and offerings than they do on the God-provided and thus ‘holy' means of approach to Himself. They emphasise their own works rather than God's provision. Thus instead of ‘seeing God' their eyes are filled with their own religious activity.
Analysis.
a “Woe/alas to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing, but whoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor.' You fools and blind, for which is greater, the gold, or the temple which has sanctified the gold?” (Matthew 23:16-17).
b “And, ‘Whoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing, but whoever shall swear by the gift that is on it, he is a debtor' ” (Matthew 23:18).
c “You blind ones, for which is greater, the gift, or the altar which sanctifies the gift?” (Matthew 23:19).
b “He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by all things that are on it” (Matthew 23:20).
a “And he who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who dwells in it. And he who swears by the heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it” (Matthew 23:21-22).
Note that in ‘a' the emphasis is on the greatness and holiness of the Temple as the earthly ‘dwellingplace' of God, and in the parallel that is emphasised. In ‘b' reference is made to the altar, and in the parallel the supremity of the altar over against what is offered on it is brought out. Centrally in ‘c' emphasis is laid on the fact that what sanctifies is greater than what is sanctified.