Matthew 5:35

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 5:35, part of Jesus' profound Sermon on the Mount, expands on His teaching regarding oaths by prohibiting swearing by the earth or Jerusalem. This prohibition underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, identifying the earth as His "footstool" and Jerusalem as "the city of the great King." Ultimately, Jesus' instruction aims to cultivate a radical integrity of speech among His followers, where external guarantees become unnecessary because their words are inherently truthful and reliable.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' revolutionary teaching on oaths, found in [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths"). It forms a crucial part of the "antitheses" in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Beatitudes and Jesus' Teachings"), where Jesus takes traditional interpretations of the Mosaic Law and deepens them, shifting the focus from mere external obedience to an internal transformation of the heart. Following His discussion on murder, adultery, and divorce, Jesus addresses the issue of truthfulness, moving beyond the Old Testament prohibition against false swearing to forbid oaths altogether, emphasizing that all speech should be inherently trustworthy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, oaths were a common practice used to validate statements or promises. While the Mosaic Law strictly forbade taking the Lord's name in vain ([Exodus 20:7](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment")) and false swearing ([Leviticus 19:12](/leviticus/19-12 "Leviticus 19:12 - Prohibition Against False Swearing")), a complex system of hierarchical oaths had developed. Many believed that swearing by lesser entities, such as heaven, earth, or Jerusalem, was less binding than swearing directly by God's name, thus creating perceived loopholes for dishonesty. Jesus directly challenges this legalistic evasion, asserting that all creation is ultimately God's, and therefore, any oath made by it implicitly invokes God's authority. Jerusalem, as the spiritual and political capital, site of the Temple, and central to Jewish identity, held immense symbolic and religious significance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Sermon on the Mount and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **God's Universal Sovereignty**, portraying the earth as His "footstool," a vivid metaphor drawn from Old Testament passages like [Isaiah 66:1](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1 - God's Throne and Earth His Footstool") and [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed King"). This imagery underscores God's absolute dominion and control over all creation. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **The Sacredness of Jerusalem**, identifying it as "the city of the great King," a title often applied to God in the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 48:2](/psalms/48-2 "Psalm 48:2 - Jerusalem, City of the Great King")). This designation affirms Jerusalem's unique spiritual significance as the place of God's dwelling and reign. Finally, the underlying message is a profound call for **Integrity and Truthfulness** in speech. By forbidding oaths, Jesus teaches that the words of His followers should be so reliable and honest that they require no external validation. Their "yes" should genuinely mean yes, and their "no" should mean no, as concluded in [Matthew 5:37](/matthew/5-37 "Matthew 5:37 - Let Your Yes Be Yes").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **earth (Greek, _gē_):** G1093 - This term refers to the soil, a region, or the entire terrene globe. In this context, it signifies the entirety of creation, emphasizing that even the physical world is under God's ownership and authority. Swearing by the earth, therefore, is an implicit oath by the Creator of the earth.
* **footstool (Greek, _hypopódion_):** G5286 - Derived from "under" and "foot," this word denotes something placed beneath the feet. Figuratively, as used here, it is a powerful symbol of complete subjugation, dominion, and authority. To say the earth is God's footstool conveys His supreme power and the humble, subservient position of all creation before Him.
* **Jerusalem (Greek, _Hierosólyma_):** G2414 - This is the capital of Palestine, but its significance extends far beyond geography. It is the holy city, chosen by God as the place for His Temple and the seat of His presence. Jesus' reference highlights its unique sacred status and its direct connection to God's divine kingship.
* **King (Greek, _basileús_):** G935 - This term denotes a sovereign ruler. When applied to God, as "the great King," it signifies His ultimate, supreme, and universal kingship, not just over Jerusalem but over all creation. This title underscores His absolute authority and the reverence due to Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool:"** Jesus prohibits swearing by the earth, immediately providing the theological rationale: the earth is God's "footstool." This imagery, deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic and poetic language, powerfully conveys God's supreme dominion and ownership over all creation. To swear by the earth is to swear by that which belongs entirely to God, thereby indirectly invoking His name and authority. The implication is that since the earth is God's, any oath made upon it is ultimately an oath before God Himself, making evasion of truthfulness impossible.
* **"neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King."** Similarly, Jesus forbids oaths made by Jerusalem. He explains this prohibition by declaring Jerusalem to be "the city of the great King." This title explicitly refers to God, emphasizing Jerusalem's unique sacred status not merely as a human city, but as the place God chose to establish His presence and reign. Swearing by Jerusalem is thus an oath by God's chosen dwelling place, further reinforcing the idea that any oath, regardless of its object, ultimately relates back to God's supreme authority and presence.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 5:35 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey Jesus' profound teaching. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "it is his footstool." This vivid image, drawn from Old Testament passages such as [Isaiah 66:1](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1 - God's Throne and Earth His Footstool") and [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed King"), effectively communicates God's absolute sovereignty and the subservient position of all creation before Him. The use of **Parallelism** in the two clauses ("Nor by the earth... neither by Jerusalem...") creates a balanced structure that reinforces the central message: both the earth and Jerusalem are God's, and therefore, oaths made by either are ultimately oaths before Him. There is also a strong element of **Allusion** to Old Testament theology, particularly regarding God's universal kingship and His special relationship with Jerusalem as His chosen city (e.g., [Psalm 48:2](/psalms/48-2 "Psalm 48:2 - Jerusalem, City of the Great King")). These allusions enrich the meaning, grounding Jesus' new teaching in established divine truths. Finally, the verse uses **Hyperbole** in the broader context of forbidding all oaths, pushing His listeners to understand that their speech should be so truthful that no external validation is ever needed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 5:35 profoundly articulates God's absolute and comprehensive sovereignty over all creation. By declaring the earth His "footstool" and Jerusalem the "city of the great King," Jesus dismantles any human attempt to compartmentalize God's dominion or to create loopholes for dishonesty through a hierarchy of oaths. The verse teaches that all things, from the vastness of the earth to a specific holy city, are intimately connected to God and under His ultimate authority. Therefore, any oath, no matter how seemingly "minor," ultimately invokes the name and authority of the Almighty. This theological truth serves as the foundation for Jesus' call to radical honesty, where the integrity of one's word should be so complete that oaths become superfluous. It underscores that true righteousness extends beyond external legal compliance to an internal disposition of unwavering truthfulness, reflecting the very character of God.

* [Isaiah 66:1](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1 - God's Throne and Earth His Footstool")
* [Psalm 48:2](/psalms/48-2 "Psalm 48:2 - Jerusalem, City of the Great King")
* [James 5:12](/james/5-12 "James 5:12 - Let Your Yes Be Yes")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 5:35 challenges us to consider the profound implications of God's sovereignty for our everyday speech. If the entire earth and even sacred spaces like Jerusalem are utterly under God's dominion, then every word we utter, every promise we make, is spoken in His presence and under His watchful eye. This verse calls us to move beyond a legalistic avoidance of certain phrases to cultivate a heart of absolute integrity, where our inner truth aligns perfectly with our outward expression. It means living a life so consistently honest that our simple "yes" or "no" carries the full weight of our character, rendering oaths unnecessary. This principle fosters a deep reverence for God's ownership of all things and encourages us to honor Him not just in grand declarations, but in the mundane details of our conversations. It invites us to reflect God's truthfulness in a world often characterized by deception and half-truths, becoming people whose words are as reliable as God's own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's ultimate ownership of all creation, including the earth and sacred places, impact my commitment to truthfulness in daily interactions?**
* **In what situations am I tempted to use "lesser" truths or equivocation, rather than speaking with absolute clarity and honesty?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a reputation for unwavering integrity, so that my "yes" truly means yes and my "no" truly means no, without needing external validation?**

### FAQ
**Why did people swear by the earth or Jerusalem, and why does Jesus forbid it?**

Answer: In ancient Jewish society, people often swore by various entities (heaven, earth, Jerusalem, their own head) to lend credibility or weight to their statements. A system of hierarchical oaths had developed, where some believed that swearing by lesser things was less binding than swearing directly by God's name, creating loopholes for dishonesty. Jesus forbids this practice because He asserts that all things, whether the earth or Jerusalem, are ultimately God's property and under His sovereign rule. To swear by them is, therefore, an indirect oath by God Himself. His teaching aims to dismantle these evasions and call for absolute integrity in speech, where one's word should be inherently trustworthy without the need for any oath, as He concludes in [Matthew 5:37](/matthew/5-37 "Matthew 5:37 - Let Your Yes Be Yes").

**What does the phrase "it is his footstool" signify?**

Answer: The phrase "it is his footstool" is a powerful metaphorical image drawn from the Old Testament, found in passages like [Isaiah 66:1](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1 - God's Throne and Earth His Footstool") and [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed King"). It signifies God's ultimate dominion, authority, and exalted position over all creation. A footstool is something humble and subservient, placed beneath the feet of a sovereign. By calling the earth God's footstool, Jesus emphasizes that the entire planet is utterly subject to God's rule, reinforcing the idea that any oath made by it is an oath made before the supreme King. Stephen also references this in his speech in [Acts 7:49](/acts/7-49 "Acts 7:49 - Stephen's Speech on God's Dwelling").

**Is swearing by anything forbidden for Christians?**

Answer: Jesus' teaching in [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths") is not merely a prohibition against specific words but a call to a deeper level of integrity. The core principle is that a follower of Christ should be so consistently truthful that their simple "yes" or "no" is sufficient and completely reliable. The emphasis is on the sincerity and reliability of one's word, reflecting the character of God. While the New Testament does not explicitly forbid all forms of oaths (e.g., God Himself takes oaths, and Paul uses oath-like statements), Jesus' teaching pushes believers towards a standard of radical honesty where oaths become unnecessary because their character is their bond. [James 5:12](/james/5-12 "James 5:12 - Simple Yes or No") echoes this sentiment, urging believers to let their "yes be yes, and your no, no."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 5:35, while seemingly a prohibition, ultimately points to the supreme sovereignty of God, which is perfectly embodied and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is the "great King" (as recognized by the Magi in [Matthew 2:2](/matthew/2-2 "Matthew 2:2 - Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?")), whose reign extends over all creation. The earth, which is God's footstool, is also the sphere of Christ's redemptive work and future reign. Through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Christ has indeed brought all things under His feet ([Ephesians 1:22](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22 - Christ Head Over All Things")), demonstrating His ultimate authority over sin, death, and the created order. He is the one by whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator")). Furthermore, Jesus is the very embodiment of truth; He declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")). His words are not merely reliable but are truth itself, and His entire life was a perfect "yes" to the will of God ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). The ultimate fulfillment of the sacredness of Jerusalem as "the city of the great King" is found in the New Jerusalem, where Christ Himself is the light and the Lamb, reigning eternally with His people ([Revelation 21:2-3](/revelation/21-2-3 "Revelation 21:2-3 - The New Jerusalem Descends"), [Revelation 22:3-5](/revelation/22-3-5 "Revelation 22:3-5 - God and the Lamb are Its Temple")). Thus, Jesus' teaching on oaths calls His followers to reflect His own perfect truthfulness, living as citizens of His eternal kingdom where integrity of speech is a natural outflow of their union with the King.

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

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.