Matthew 5:33

KJV

¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

KJV (with Strong's)

Again {G3825}, ye have heard {G191} that {G3754} it hath been said {G4483} by them of old time {G744}, Thou shalt {G1964} not {G3756} forswear thyself {G1964}, but {G1161} shalt perform {G591} unto the Lord {G2962} thine {G4675} oaths {G3727}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"Again, you have heard that our fathers were told, `Do not break your oath,' and `Keep your vows to ADONAI.'

Berean Standard Bible

Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

American Standard Version

Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 5:33, Jesus continues His radical reinterpretation of the Mosaic Law within the Sermon on the Mount, addressing the traditional understanding of oaths. He affirms the existing high standard that one must not swear falsely (commit perjury) and, conversely, must faithfully fulfill all oaths made to the Lord. This verse serves as a foundational statement, emphasizing the profound importance of verbal integrity and divine accountability before Jesus introduces an even higher ethical standard regarding the practice of oath-taking itself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, specifically within a series of antitheses (Matthew 5:21-48) where He contrasts the traditional interpretation of the Law ("Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time") with His own deeper, more demanding teaching ("But I say unto you"). Matthew 5:33-37 forms a distinct unit on oaths, with verse 33 setting the stage by affirming the existing legal and moral obligation to fulfill sworn promises, before Jesus then challenges the very necessity of such oaths in the subsequent verses. This structure highlights Jesus' method of first validating the Law's integrity and then revealing its ultimate spiritual intent.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Oaths played a significant role in ancient Jewish society, serving as a legal and social mechanism to confirm truthfulness, validate agreements, and solemnize promises. The Old Testament contains numerous commands regarding oaths, such as the prohibition against swearing falsely by God's name (e.g., [Leviticus 19:12](/leviticus/19-12 "Leviticus 19:12 - Do Not Swear Falsely")) and the imperative to fulfill vows made to the Lord (e.g., [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Fulfilling Vows to the Lord") and [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Do Not Delay Vows")). While the Law emphasized fulfilling oaths made to God, some Jewish traditions had developed complex casuistry around different types of oaths, leading to a system where certain oaths were considered less binding than others, or where the letter of the law was upheld while its spirit was neglected. This context is crucial for understanding why Jesus addresses the topic.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes in this passage revolve around the **integrity of speech** and the **sanctity of oaths**. Jesus underscores that one's word, especially when given under oath, must be absolutely trustworthy. The phrase "perform unto the Lord thine oaths" highlights **divine accountability**, emphasizing that all promises, regardless of their immediate human recipient, are ultimately made before God, who is the ultimate witness and judge of all commitments. This teaching also contributes to the broader theme of **inward righteousness** that permeates the Sermon on the Mount, moving beyond mere external compliance with the Law to address the heart's disposition towards truth and faithfulness. This internal focus is foundational to the ethics presented throughout [Matthew 5](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **forswear thyself (Greek, _epiorkeō'_):** This verb means "to swear falsely" or "to commit perjury." It denotes a deliberate act of breaking an oath or uttering a false oath, a grave offense in Jewish law, directly violating the command not to take the Lord's name in vain.
* **perform (Greek, _apodídōmi'_):** This word carries the sense of "to give away," "to pay back," "to render," or "to fulfill." In this context, it emphasizes the absolute necessity of carrying out or repaying one's solemn commitments made under oath, implying a debt owed.
* **oaths (Greek, _hórkos'_):** Derived from a word meaning "a fence" or "limit," this noun refers to a sacred restraint or a solemn declaration confirmed by an appeal to God or something sacred. It signifies a binding promise made under divine witness, highlighting the serious and sacred nature of such commitments.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time,"**: This introductory phrase is characteristic of Jesus' teaching method in the Sermon on the Mount. It acknowledges the traditional, commonly understood interpretation of the Mosaic Law, which was often derived from rabbinic teachings and popular understanding rather than direct scriptural quotation. It sets up a contrast with what Jesus is about to declare.
* **"Thou shalt not forswear thyself,"**: This is the negative command, echoing Old Testament prohibitions against perjury. It directly forbids the act of swearing falsely, which was considered a serious sin because it involved lying under the invocation of God's name, thereby dishonoring Him and undermining the very fabric of truth and justice in society.
* **"but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:"**: This is the positive command, emphasizing the sacred obligation to fulfill all vows and promises made. The phrase "unto the Lord" is crucial, underscoring that even if an oath is made to another person, its ultimate accountability is to God, who is the divine witness to all human commitments. This clause reinforces the binding nature of oaths and the divine expectation of faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs **Antithesis** in His teaching method, though in this specific verse, it's more of a foundational statement leading into the broader antithetical structure of [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths"). The "not... but" structure within the verse itself ("Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform...") functions as a direct, clear command, contrasting the forbidden action with the required one. The verse also serves as a form of **Didacticism**, as Jesus is directly instructing His disciples on ethical conduct. Furthermore, the phrase "Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time" acts as a **Rhetorical Framing** device, preparing the audience for a re-evaluation or deeper understanding of a familiar teaching.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 5:33 firmly establishes the biblical principle that truthfulness and integrity are not merely human virtues but divine requirements, deeply rooted in God's own character as faithful and true. The command to fulfill oaths "unto the Lord" elevates all promises to a sacred level, implying that every word spoken carries weight before God. This teaching underscores the seriousness with which God views human speech and commitments, linking personal integrity directly to one's relationship with the divine. It prepares the way for Jesus' subsequent teaching that a simple "yes" or "no" should suffice, demonstrating that the need for oaths arises from a lack of inherent truthfulness, a condition that the Kingdom ethic seeks to transcend.

* [Leviticus 19:12](/leviticus/19-12 "Leviticus 19:12 - Do Not Swear Falsely by God's Name")
* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Fulfilling Vows to the Lord")
* [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Fulfilling Vows Promptly")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 5:33 challenges believers to a profound level of integrity in their speech and commitments. While the subsequent verses in Matthew 5:34-37 advocate against the practice of making oaths altogether, this verse first affirms the existing, high standard: if a promise is made, especially one involving God, it must be kept without fail. For us today, this means that our words should be so reliable, our character so trustworthy, that formal oaths become unnecessary. It calls us to live with such consistent truthfulness that our "yes" means "yes" and our "no" means "no," reflecting the very character of God. This principle extends beyond formal vows to all our interactions, urging us to be people of our word, understanding that every promise, every commitment, is ultimately made in the presence of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of "performing unto the Lord thine oaths" impact my understanding of personal integrity in everyday promises?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be casual with my words or commitments, and how can I cultivate a deeper sense of truthfulness?**
* **How does the ultimate accountability to God for our words shape our approach to honesty and reliability?**

### FAQ

**What does "forswear thyself" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Matthew 5:33, "forswear thyself" translates the Greek word *epiorkeō*, which specifically means "to swear falsely" or "to commit perjury." It refers to the act of breaking a solemn oath or making a false promise, particularly when invoking God's name or something sacred. This was considered a grave sin in Jewish law, as it not only involved lying but also dishonored God by using His name in a deceitful manner. The Old Testament explicitly prohibits such actions, as seen in [Leviticus 19:12](/leviticus/19-12 "Leviticus 19:12 - Do Not Swear Falsely") and [Exodus 20:7](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment").

**Does Matthew 5:33 contradict Jesus' later teaching in Matthew 5:34-37 about not swearing at all?**

Answer: No, Matthew 5:33 does not contradict [Matthew 5:34-37](/matthew/5-34-37 "Matthew 5:34-37 - Jesus' Command Not to Swear"). Instead, verse 33 sets the stage by affirming the existing, high standard of the Mosaic Law: if one *does* make an oath, it *must* be fulfilled. This acknowledges the traditional understanding and the seriousness of oaths. Verses 34-37 then introduce Jesus' radical elevation of this standard, advocating for a level of integrity where oaths become unnecessary because one's simple "yes" or "no" is inherently trustworthy. Jesus is not abolishing the Law's demand for truthfulness but deepening it, calling His followers to a righteousness that surpasses mere external compliance, making their entire lives a testimony to truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 5:33, while affirming the Old Testament's strictures on oaths, points forward to Christ as the ultimate embodiment of truth and the fulfillment of all divine promises. Jesus Himself is the "Amen" (Greek for "truth" or "so be it"), the faithful and true witness (Revelation 3:14), whose every word is absolute truth and whose promises are unfailingly kept. In Him, God's "Yes" is fully realized (2 Corinthians 1:20). Jesus' life perfectly exemplified the integrity He taught; He never needed to swear an oath because His word was inherently true and utterly reliable. His teaching here, that our "yes" should simply be "yes" and our "no," "no" (Matthew 5:37), invites His followers to participate in His own perfect truthfulness, reflecting the character of a God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). As believers in Christ, we are called to live with such unwavering integrity that our speech patterns mirror His, making our lives a living testament to the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 23:21

When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

Leviticus 19:12

And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.

Ecclesiastes 5:4

¶ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for [he hath] no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Ecclesiastes 5:6

Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it [was] an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

Deuteronomy 23:23

That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; [even] a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

Psalms 76:11

Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

Numbers 30:2

If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.