What Does Matthew 23:20 Mean in the King James?

Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

Matthew 23:20 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

An oath by the altar reaches the altar and everything it bears, because the offering-place cannot be separated from its offerings.

THE MEANING

The verse binds the altar and everything upon it together when you swear by it. What rests on the altar belongs to the full reach of the oath.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse undoes the belief that an altar can be invoked while the things resting on it are excluded from the oath.

THE ROOT

θυσιαστήριον

thysiastērion

GROWS FROM

θύω

thyō

To sacrifice or offer.

The Greek word for altar is built from the language of sacrifice: it is an offering-place. That root connection illuminates why the verse joins the altar with everything upon it as one whole.

ALSO GROWS

thysia: A sacrifice or offering.

θυσία

This related word names what is placed on the altar, showing that offering and offering-place share a root.

thysiazō: To offer something as a sacrifice.

θυσιάζω

The verb names the act the altar is made for, connecting the place, the offering, and the act of offering.

THE PATTERN

A sacred reference carries the whole reality joined to it, so its parts cannot be separated to narrow what the reference binds.

Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.

Exodus 29:37 · KJVThe altar’s sacred status extends to whatever touches it, joining the center and what is connected to it.

And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

Matthew 23:21 · KJVSwearing by the temple reaches beyond the structure to the one dwelling in it.

And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Matthew 23:22 · KJVSwearing by heaven also encompasses its throne and the one seated there.

THE THREAD

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Revelation 8:3 · KJV

The word translated “altar” is the same Greek word, ⁨θυσιαστήριον⁩ (thysiastērion), in both verses. Revelation places incense and prayers at the altar, opening the picture of the altar as a place where what is brought to it belongs together.

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