You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
Christ does not permit swearing by the altar, temple, or heaven at all; but if a man does swear by the altar, he binds himself not only by it but by every gift and offering laid upon it, made holy by their placement there. So by their own traditions, such an oath becomes binding, and they cannot escape it.
AI summary
Verse 19. The altar that sanctifieth the gift. The altar, dedicated to God, gave all the value or holiness to the offering, and must therefore be the greatest, or of the most importance. If, therefore, either bound to the fulfillment of an oath, it must be the altar. (f) "sanctifieth the gift"
Ye fools, and blind! for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?--(See Exo 29:37).