Matthew 5:35

Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Nor {G3383} by {G1722} the earth {G1093}; for {G3754} it is {G2076} his {G846} footstool {G4228}{G5286}: neither {G3383} by {G1519} Jerusalem {G2414}; for {G3754} it is {G2076} the city {G4172} of the great {G3173} King {G935}.

not `by the earth,' because it is his footstool;p and not `by Yerushalayim,' because it is the city of the Great King.

or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

Matthew 5:35 is part of Jesus' profound Sermon on the Mount, specifically within His teaching on oaths and truthfulness (found in Matthew 5:33-37). Here, Jesus expands on the Old Testament prohibition against false swearing by forbidding oaths made by creation itself, emphasizing God's ultimate ownership and authority over all things.

Context

In ancient Jewish society, people often swore oaths by various entities (heaven, earth, Jerusalem, their own head) to lend weight or credibility to their statements. While the Mosaic Law forbade taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7) and false swearing (Leviticus 19:12), a system of hierarchical oaths had developed. Some believed that swearing by lesser things, like the earth, was less binding than swearing by God directly, thus creating loopholes for dishonesty. Jesus dismantles this idea, asserting that everything is ultimately connected to God.

Key Themes

  • God's Universal Sovereignty: The verse powerfully declares God's absolute sovereignty over all creation. The earth is His "footstool," a vivid metaphor borrowed from Isaiah 66:1 and Acts 7:49, indicating His complete dominion and presence everywhere.
  • The Sacredness of Jerusalem: Jerusalem is identified as "the city of the great King," referring to God Himself. This highlights its unique spiritual significance as the place where God chose to dwell and where His temple stood (Psalm 48:2). Swearing by Jerusalem is thus an indirect oath by God, underscoring its holiness and His connection to it.
  • Integrity and Truthfulness: The underlying message is a call for complete honesty in speech. Jesus teaches that all our words should be truthful, without needing external guarantees or oaths. Our "yes" should mean yes, and our "no" should mean no (Matthew 5:37).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "it is his footstool" (Greek: hypopodion autou) directly echoes Old Testament imagery (e.g., Isaiah 66:1, Psalm 110:1), emphasizing God's elevated position and the subordinate nature of all creation. Similarly, "the city of the great King" (Greek: polis tou megalou Basileōs) explicitly links Jerusalem to God's divine kingship, a title often used for God in the Psalms.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 5:35 reinforces the principle that our speech should always be characterized by integrity. We don't need to invoke external entities to validate our words because our character, rooted in Christ, should be sufficient. This verse encourages a lifestyle of transparent honesty, where our words reflect the truth of God's sovereign presence in all things. It also reminds us of God's ultimate ownership and sacredness of His creation and chosen places, fostering a sense of reverence for all that He has made and ordained.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 48:2

    Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

  • Malachi 1:14

    But cursed [be] the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I [am] a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name [is] dreadful among the heathen.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:6

    But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

  • Revelation 21:10

    And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

  • Revelation 21:2

    And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

  • Psalms 99:5

    Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; [for] he [is] holy.

  • Psalms 87:2

    The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

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