Matthew 5:36

KJV

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither {G3383} shalt thou swear {G3660} by {G1722} thy {G4675} head {G2776}, because {G3754} thou canst {G1410} not {G3756} make {G4160} one {G3391} hair {G2359} white {G3022} or {G2228} black {G3189}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And don't swear by your head, because you can't make a single hair white or black.

Berean Standard Bible

Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.

American Standard Version

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 5:36, Jesus continues His radical reinterpretation of the Law, specifically addressing the practice of oath-taking. He prohibits swearing by one's own head, asserting the profound truth that human beings lack ultimate control over even the most minute aspects of their existence, such as the color of a single hair. This seemingly simple prohibition serves as a powerful reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including humanity, and underscores the imperative for believers to live with such unwavering integrity that their simple "yes" or "no" is inherently trustworthy, rendering oaths unnecessary in daily discourse.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 5:36 is an integral part of Jesus' profound discourse on the true meaning of righteousness, commonly known as [the Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7"). Specifically, it falls within His teaching on oaths, which begins in [Matthew 5:33](/matthew/5-33 "Jesus' Teaching on Oaths in Matthew 5:33"). Jesus is systematically addressing and correcting prevailing interpretations of Mosaic Law, moving beyond mere external adherence to an internal transformation of the heart. His teaching on oaths, like His earlier statements on murder ([Matthew 5:21-26](/matthew/5-21-26 "Jesus' Teaching on Anger and Reconciliation")) and adultery ([Matthew 5:27-30](/matthew/5-27-30 "Jesus' Teaching on Lust and Purity")), aims to expose the spirit of the Law and call His followers to a higher standard of truthfulness and integrity that reflects God's own character, culminating in the call to be perfect as the Father is perfect in [Matthew 5:48](/matthew/5-48 "The Call to Perfection in Matthew 5:48").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During Jesus' time, Jewish legal and religious traditions had developed a complex system of oaths, largely based on interpretations of Old Testament commands like [Leviticus 19:12](/leviticus/19-12 "Do not swear falsely by My name"). While swearing by God's name was considered binding, a hierarchy of oaths emerged, where swearing by lesser entities—such as heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or one's own head—was often considered less binding or even a way to circumvent a solemn vow. This created loopholes, allowing individuals to make statements with an appearance of truthfulness without necessarily intending to fulfill them, or to avoid the severe consequences of breaking an oath sworn directly by God. Jesus' teaching directly challenges this casuistry, dismantling the false distinctions and emphasizing that all creation belongs to God, making any oath sworn by it ultimately an oath before God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jesus' teaching. Firstly, it highlights **God's Ultimate Sovereignty** over all creation and human life. By pointing out humanity's inability to alter even a single hair, Jesus underscores that all things, including our very bodies, are under God's exclusive dominion, not our own. This directly opposes any human presumption of self-ownership or ultimate control. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Integrity of Speech**. Jesus' prohibition against swearing by one's head, and by extension, any created thing, implies that a person's word should be inherently truthful and reliable, without needing external guarantees or embellishments. The need for an oath suggests a deficiency in one's character or trustworthiness, a standard far below what Jesus demands of His disciples, as further clarified in [Matthew 5:37](/matthew/5-37 "Jesus' Instruction on Simple Speech in Matthew 5:37"). Thirdly, it represents a **Rejection of Legalistic Loopholes**, exposing the superficiality of a religious system that sought to categorize and manipulate oaths rather than cultivating genuine truthfulness from the heart.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **swear (Greek, _omnýō_):** This verb signifies to make a solemn declaration or promise, often with an appeal to a divine power or sacred object as a witness. In the context of Jesus' teaching, it refers to the common practice of taking oaths in everyday conversation to lend weight to one's words. Jesus' prohibition challenges the very necessity of such oaths, implying that a believer's word should be inherently trustworthy.
* **head (Greek, _kephalḗ_):** Literally referring to the physical head, this word is used here in a **metonymic** sense, standing for one's very life, person, or existence. Swearing by one's head was a common oath, essentially pledging one's life or well-being as a guarantee. Jesus’ point is that one does not even own or control one's own head or life to make such a pledge.
* **canst not make (Greek, _dýnamai_ and _poiéō_):** The combination of _dýnamai_ ("to be able, possible") and _poiéō_ ("to make or do") emphatically conveys human impotence. It highlights the absolute inability of a person to exert control over even the most trivial biological processes, such as changing the color of a single hair. This serves as a powerful, tangible illustration of humanity's finite nature and complete dependence on God's sovereign power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither shalt thou swear by thy head,"**: This clause directly forbids the practice of using one's own head as the object of an oath. In Jewish culture, this was a common form of oath, essentially pledging one's life or being as a guarantee. Jesus' prohibition here is not merely against a specific type of oath, but against the underlying presumption of self-ownership or ultimate control that such an oath implies. It challenges the human tendency to use external guarantees instead of relying on inherent truthfulness.
* **"because thou canst not make one hair white or black."**: This explanatory clause provides the profound reason for the prohibition. Jesus uses a simple, undeniable biological fact—the inability of a person to change the color of their hair—to illustrate humanity's fundamental lack of control over their own existence. This rhetorical question highlights human limitation and dependence, contrasting it sharply with God's absolute sovereignty over every detail of creation, including our bodies. Since one cannot even control such a minor detail, how can one swear by one's head as if it were entirely one's own to pledge?

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 5:36 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, used in the phrase "make one hair white or black." While literally true that one cannot instantly change hair color, the hyperbole emphasizes the absolute and undeniable nature of human powerlessness over even the smallest, most personal aspects of life. This exaggeration underscores the futility of swearing by something over which one has no ultimate control. **Metonymy** is also present, as "thy head" stands in for one's entire being or life, the common object of such oaths. Furthermore, the phrase "white or black" functions as a **Merism**, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts are used to represent a whole (i.e., all possible hair colors or states). This merism vividly illustrates the comprehensive lack of human agency in this domain, reinforcing the theological point about God's exhaustive sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 5:36 deeply embeds itself in the broader biblical narrative of God's absolute sovereignty and humanity's dependent creatureliness. It serves as a stark reminder that all of life, down to the most minute biological details, is under divine control. Theologically, this verse dismantles any human pretense of ultimate self-ownership or autonomy, redirecting our focus to the Creator who sustains all things. It underscores that truthfulness is not merely a moral virtue but a reflection of God's own unchanging character, and therefore, human speech should mirror this divine attribute, requiring no external validation. The prohibition against swearing by created things, even one's own body, implicitly recognizes that all creation is God's property, and to swear by it is to swear by its Creator, whether intended or not. This calls believers to a radical integrity where their simple word is sufficient, rooted in a heart that honors God's truth and sovereignty.

* [James 5:12](/james/5-12 "James' Exhortation Against Swearing")
* [Psalm 15:4](/psalms/15-4 "The Character of One Who Dwells with God")
* [2 Corinthians 1:17-20](/2_corinthians/1-17-20 "God's "Yes" in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 5:36 challenges us to cultivate a profound integrity in our communication, one that stems from a deep reverence for God's sovereignty and a humble recognition of our own limitations. It calls us to be people whose "yes" means yes and whose "no" means no, not out of fear of breaking an oath, but out of an inherent commitment to truthfulness that reflects the character of God. This principle extends beyond formal oaths to every aspect of our daily speech, urging us to avoid exaggeration, equivocation, or any form of deception. When we acknowledge that we cannot even control the color of a single hair, it fosters humility and reminds us that our lives are not our own, but belong to the One who knit us together. This perspective should lead us to speak with genuine sincerity, knowing that our ultimate accountability is to God, who sees and knows all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely on external guarantees or embellishments rather than simply letting my "yes" be "yes"?**
* **How does acknowledging God's sovereignty over even the smallest details of my life (like hair color) impact my sense of humility and dependence on Him?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater integrity and truthfulness in my everyday conversations, avoiding even subtle forms of deception?**
* **How might a consistent practice of radical honesty build trust in my relationships and better reflect the character of Christ to others?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:36 forbid all oaths, even in legal settings?**

Answer: While Jesus' words in [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Jesus' Teaching on Oaths") are a strong prohibition against casual or manipulative oath-taking in daily conversation, they are generally not interpreted as an absolute ban on all forms of oaths, particularly in formal, legal contexts. The primary thrust of Jesus' teaching is against the flippant use of oaths to lend false weight to one's words or to create loopholes for dishonesty. In situations where an oath is required by a legitimate authority (e.g., in a court of law, as seen in Jesus' own example before the high priest in [Matthew 26:63-64](/matthew/26-63-64 "Jesus' Testimony Before the High Priest")), it is understood as a solemn appeal to God for truth, not a means of avoiding it. The core principle is that a believer's word should always be true, making oaths in everyday life unnecessary.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 5:36, by highlighting humanity's utter lack of control over even a single hair, powerfully points to the absolute sovereignty of God, a sovereignty perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ. While we cannot change our hair color, Christ, as the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of the Word"), is the very agent through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). His words are not merely true; they are truth itself ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Unlike humanity, who must be reminded of their limitations, Jesus never needed to swear by anything, for His "Yes" was always absolute, and His "No" was always final. As [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises are "Yes" in Christ") declares, "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him." He is the living embodiment of perfect integrity and truthfulness, making oaths unnecessary because His very nature is faithfulness. Therefore, our call to radical honesty in Matthew 5:36 is not simply a moral command but an invitation to reflect the character of Christ, whose every word and action perfectly aligned with the Father's will and truth.

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

Luke 12:25

And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

Matthew 6:27

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Matthew 23:16

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 23:21

And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.