Matthew 5:34

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

But {G1161} I {G1473} say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, Swear {G3660} not {G3361} at all {G3654}; neither {G3383} by {G1722} heaven {G3772}; for {G3754} it is {G2076} God's {G2316} throne {G2362}:

But I tell you not to swear at all -- not `by heaven,' because it is God's throne;

But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;

Commentary

In Matthew 5:34, Jesus continues His radical reinterpretation of Old Testament law during the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the spirit of the law rather than mere outward observance. Here, He addresses the practice of oath-taking, moving beyond the traditional understanding of vows.

Context

This verse follows Jesus' teaching on oaths in Matthew 5:33, where He references the Old Testament command not to swear falsely (e.g., Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21). During Jesus' time, Jewish tradition had developed a complex system of oaths. People would swear by various things—heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or even their own head—believing that only oaths made directly in God's name were truly binding. This allowed for a kind of legalistic maneuvering, where one could make a promise by a lesser entity and then feel free to break it without violating a direct oath to God.

Key Themes

  • Radical Honesty and Integrity: Jesus calls His followers to a standard of such profound truthfulness that oaths become unnecessary. One's simple "yes" or "no" should be sufficient and completely reliable. This challenges the common practice of the day that sought loopholes in truth-telling.
  • God's Sovereignty Over All Creation: Jesus argues that swearing by anything—be it heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or one's own head—is ultimately an oath involving God, because all these things belong to Him and are under His dominion. Heaven is explicitly stated as "God's throne" (Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:49). Therefore, any oath, regardless of what it is sworn by, implicitly invokes God's authority and presence.
  • Authenticity Over Legalism: This teaching emphasizes a heart transformed by God's truth, rather than adherence to external rules or clever ways to circumvent them. It promotes a life of sincere communication where words align with intentions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Swear not at all" (Greek: me omosai holōs) is a strong, absolute prohibition. It signifies a complete absence of oath-taking, moving beyond merely avoiding false oaths to a rejection of the practice itself as a means of validating one's speech. The emphasis shifts from the *validity* of the oath to the *necessity* of the oath at all, suggesting that the believer's word should always be truthful.

Practical Application

This command encourages believers to live with such unwavering integrity that their simple statements are inherently trustworthy. It challenges us to:

  • Be People of Our Word: Our "yes" should mean yes, and our "no" should mean no, without needing further guarantees or solemn declarations.
  • Avoid Exaggeration and Half-Truths: This teaching discourages any form of speech that lacks sincerity or seeks to mislead, even subtly.
  • Reflect God's Character: God is truth, and His promises are always kept. As His children, we are called to embody this same reliability in our daily interactions (John 14:6).

While this teaching does not necessarily prohibit oaths required in formal legal settings (e.g., court testimony), its primary aim is to cultivate a pervasive truthfulness in everyday communication, eliminating the need for manipulative or conditional swearing. The Apostle James echoes this sentiment in James 5:12, reinforcing the importance of simple, straightforward honesty.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • James 5:12 (19 votes)

    ¶ But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

  • Isaiah 66:1 (13 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?

  • Deuteronomy 23:21 (11 votes)

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 23:23 (11 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 23:16 (9 votes)

    Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

  • Matthew 23:22 (9 votes)

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

  • Ecclesiastes 9:2 (3 votes)

    All [things come] alike to all: [there is] one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as [is] the good, so [is] the sinner; [and] he that sweareth, as [he] that feareth an oath.