Matthew 5:33-37

Oaths. Jesus sums up several OT passages, e.g. Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21. The use of oaths and vows by the Jews was much abused, and the Rabbis were continually discussing whether or no certain vows and oaths were binding. Jesus goes to the root of the matter by forbidding all oaths, and admits no limitations to the general principle, a position adopted by the Quakers as by Irenæ us, Origen, Chrysostom, and Jerome. The Essenes abstained from oaths except at their initiation. Yet Paul uses solemn expressions of appeal to God (cf. also 1 Corinthians 15:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:27, and Hebrews 6:13). Heaven (Matthew 5:34) is the sky, the dwelling-place of God, therefore to swear by it is profanation; so with earth (Matthew 5:35), His footstool. by Jerusalem: lit. towards Jerusalem. There was a Jewish saying that an oath by Jerusalem was void unless it was sworn towards Jerusalem. Jesus forbids even this. The city of God, like His throne (cf. Matthew 23:22) and footstool, implies the presence of God. Even a man's own head (Matthew 5:36) is not his absolute possession; so he must not swear by it. In Matthew 5:37 Jesus condemns unnecessary emphasis; James 5:12 suggests the probable rendering of the injunction here. Whatever goes beyond plain unequivocal speech arises from the evil that is in the world. Oaths spring from the untruthfulness of men. On this whole passage cf. Secrets of Enoch, 491.