Matthew 23:20 (KJV)

What does Matthew 23:20 mean?

Matthew 23:20 means that anyone who swears an oath by the altar in the temple is not just swearing by the altar itself, but also by everything that is placed on it. The verse stresses that making an oath involving the altar carries a broader and deeper significance than some people might think.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to the crowds and his disciples, criticizing the religious leaders (the scribes and Pharisees) for their complicated rules about oaths. He points out that their distinctions—such as saying some oaths are binding and others are not—miss the point. By highlighting the altar and everything on it, Jesus is showing that all parts of the temple and its rituals are connected and meaningful, not to be separated for convenience.

The Greek behind Matthew 23:20

• ἐν (en, "by"): This word is used several times in the verse to show what the oath is connected to. In Greek, it often means "in" or "by," and here it emphasizes the seriousness of swearing by something sacred.
• θυσιαστήριον (thysiastērion, "altar"): This is the specific word for the altar in the temple, which was central to Jewish worship. Mentioning it highlights the sacredness involved in these oaths.
• ἐπάνω (epanō, "thereon"): This word means "upon" or "on top of." It makes clear that swearing by the altar also involves everything placed on it, such as offerings, which were considered holy.

Why Matthew 23:20 matters

• Matthew 23:20 clears up the idea that some oaths are less serious than others just because of what they are sworn by; Jesus shows that all parts of the temple are deeply connected.
• The verse reveals how Jesus challenges the religious leaders' habit of making technical distinctions that let people avoid keeping their word.
• This teaching fits into a larger section where Jesus exposes the ways religious traditions can be twisted to avoid true faithfulness and integrity.