Understanding the Context of Matthew 23:16-24 and the Strain of Gnat and Swallow of Camel
In Matthew 23:16-24, Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees for prioritizing trivial matters over justice, mercy, and faith. The metaphor of straining a gnat and swallowing a camel illustrates their hypocrisy and neglect of important matters. The passage emphasizes the importance of upholding significant values while not neglecting smaller responsibilities. Understanding this context sheds light on the deeper message of the text.
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Matthew 23:16-24 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. Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 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. Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it
Matthew 23:16-24 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! (NKJV)
Strain Out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel This passage has been used to argue that God doesn t care about small things. Context: A rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-35) that took place while Jesus taught in the temple courts (Matt. 21:23; 24:1). After rebuking their teaching on oaths (23:16-22). They excused dishonesty. Fingers crossed, unsigned contract, etc. Let your yes, be yes (Matt. 5:33-37).
Strain Out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel This passage has been used to argue that God doesn t care about small things. Context: A rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-35) that took place while Jesus taught in the temple courts (Matt. 21:23; 24:1). After rebuking their practice of tithing (23:23a).Tithing even herbs and spices. This was obedience to God (Lev. 27:30). They neglected other things (23:23b).
Strain Out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel He then teaches that... They should have done the small things (i.e. tithing spices). These you ought to have done (23:23c). But, should not have neglected other things (i.e. justice, love, mercy). Without leaving the others undone (23:23d).
Strain Out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel It is in this context that Jesus says they strain out a gnat and swallow a camel. The reference here is to the ancient custom of filtering wine. The gnat and the camel are in striking contrast to each other in size. The use of the camel here was obviously a hyperbole, but was appropriate, not only because of its great size, but because to the Jews it was an unclean animal The Pharisees were careful to strain out the smallest creature, but swallowed the larger one. They were scrupulous about small things, but very careless about the more important matters (Fred Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, 258).
Strain Out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel Hyperbole Exaggeration to illustrate a point Imagine being so careful that you filter out a small gnat, but gulp down a large camel!
Strain Out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel God wants us to do all of His will! Love keeps commandments (John 14:15). We must love with our all (Mark 12:30). Love keeps God s word (John 14:23). Is this Legalistic? Obedience is a duty (Luke 17:7-10). Christians will stumble (1 John 1:7-2:2). That doesn t mean we can leave anything undone so long as we do other things.
Strain Out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel We can t stress obedience, but neglect love (Gal. 5:6). We can t argue there is one church (Eph. 4:4), but fail to attend and support the Lord s church (Heb. 10:24-25). We can t claim to be the head of the house (Eph. 5:23), but refuse to show under- standing (1 Pet. 3:7). Pray to God, but refuse to keep His word (1 John 3:18-22).
Strain Out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel Put our faith in Jesus, but fail to be baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16). Claim to love God, but fail to worship Him in truth (John 4:23-24). Do some things that are authorized, but accept others that are not (Deut. 4:2). God cares about the small things, but wants our obedience in all thing. To excuse disobedience by doing some things is to strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.
