“Strain Out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel”

Introduction. (Matt. 23:16-24). We note in this text the phrase “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.” This passage has been used to argue that God doesn’t care about small things.  Is that what this passage teaches?

I. Context.  This comes in 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).

A.      It comes after rebuking their teaching on oaths (23:16-22). They excused dishonesty.

1.      This is like kids keeping fingers crossed to keep from honoring what they say.

2.      It is like adults who don’t honor commitments because a contract is unsigned.

3.      Jesus taught His disciples, “Let your yes, be yes” (Matt. 5:33-37).

B.      This comes after rebuking their practice of tithing (23:23a).They practiced tithing of even herbs and spices.

1.      They should have done this. It was obedience to God (Lev. 27:30).

2.      The problem was they neglected other things (23:23b).

C.      It is then that He teaches that...

1.      They should have done the small things (i.e. tithing spices)—“These you ought to have done” (23:23c).

2.      But, they should not have neglected other things (i.e. justice, love, mercy)—“Without leaving the others undone” (23:23d).

D.     It is in this context that Jesus says they “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.”

1.      “...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).

2.      Hyperbole is exaggeration to illustrate a point. Imagine being so careful not to swallow a gnat but ignoring the fact that you are swallowing a camel!

II. Meaning. So, how are we to understand Jesus’ teaching and how does this apply to us?

A.      God wants us to do all of His will!

1.      Love keeps commandments (John 14:15).

2.      We must love with our all (Mark 12:30).

3.      Love keeps God’s word (John 14:23).

B.      Is this Legalistic? No.

1.      Obedience is a duty (Luke 17:7-10).

2.      Christians will stumble (1 John 1:7-2:2).

3.      That doesn’t mean we can leave anything “undone” so long as we do other things.

III. Application.

A.      We can’t stress obedience, but neglect love (Gal. 5:6).

B.      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).

C.      We can’t claim to be the head of the house (Eph. 5:23), but refuse to show “under-standing”(1 Pet. 3:7).

D.     Pray to God, but refuse to keep His word (1 John 3:18-22).

E.      Put our faith in Jesus, but fail to be baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16).

F.      Claim to love God, but fail to worship Him in truth (John 4:23-24).

G.      Do some things that are authorized, but accept others that are not (Deut. 4:2).

Conclusion. 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.”