Intermediate Sunday School : Lesson 141

Text: Matthew 23:16-22
6 April 2025

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Text: Matthew 23

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’
17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’
19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
20 Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.
21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it.
22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.

Matthew 23:16-22

INTRODUCTION

1. There are important texts to bear in mind on the subject of oath-taking

2. The following are key texts to note:

a) Exodus 20:7
b) Leviticus 19:12
c) Numbers 30:2
d) Deuteronomy 23:21-23
e) Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

3. These texts offer strong advice concerning oath-taking

a) God’s name is involved
b) Every oath must be taken seriously
c) It must never be taken lightly
d) God will hold the individual accountable

A STRONG REBUKE

1. “Blind guides”

2. “Fools and blind”

3. A severe word of rebuke

a) To the religious leaders of the day
b) To those who pose as “spiritual leaders”

WHAT THEY WERE OFFERING

1. An alternative to using God’s name

2. They offered:

a) Swearing by the temple
Not obliged to keep the oath
b) Swearing by the gold of the temple
Obliged to keep the oath
c) Swearing by the altar
Not obliged to keep the oath
d) Swearing by the gift on the altar
Obliged to keep the oath

3. The Lord Jesus rejected these words of advice given!

a) The human reasoning was spurious
b) There is no wisdom in any of the arguments
c) There is certainly no Biblical support of these arguments

EXAMPLES OF OATH THAT WENT WRONG

1. Judge Jephthah’s oath of a sacrifice

Judges 11

2. King Saul’s rash oath

1 Samuel 14

3. Both oaths:

a) Unnecessary
b) Unwise

LESSONS FOR US TO PONDER OVER

1. Have the highest regard for God’s name

2. Never make an oath we cannot keep

3. Note the dangers that are involved when oaths are made rashly