Matthew 5 33

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:

Matthew 5:33 nkjv

"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'

Matthew 5:33 niv

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.'

Matthew 5:33 esv

"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'

Matthew 5:33 nlt

"You have also heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD.'

Matthew 5 verses

Matthew 5 33 Meaning

In Matthew 5:33, Jesus addresses the commandment concerning oaths, deepening its meaning beyond the mere avoidance of perjury. He challenges the prevailing interpretation which focused solely on fulfilling vows made specifically to the Lord, especially when sworn by God's name. Jesus' teaching extends this principle of truthfulness to every utterance, implying that a disciple's word should always be trustworthy and binding, making elaborate oaths unnecessary. This teaching highlights that integrity of speech is a fundamental aspect of one's character, reflecting an internal truthfulness rather than an external adherence to the letter of the law regarding formal vows.

Matthew 5 33 Context

Matthew 5:33 is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), specifically within the "antitheses" (Matthew 5:21-48), where Jesus contrasts the traditional understanding or interpretation of the Law ("You have heard that it was said...") with His deeper, transformative teaching ("But I tell you..."). This section highlights that Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17), meaning to reveal its full, intended spiritual and moral depth. The immediate preceding antitheses address anger (Matt 5:21-26) and adultery (Matt 5:27-32), both moving from external acts to internal motives and desires. In this section on oaths, Jesus moves beyond the specific legal requirement of not swearing falsely to a broader call for absolute truthfulness in all speech, implying that integrity should be inherent to the believer's character, making the use of oaths to validate words redundant or even suspect. The teaching implicitly critiques practices where people might use elaborate oaths to make certain promises binding, while considering unsworn words less serious.

Matthew 5 33 Word analysis

• Again: Signifies a continuation of the rhetorical pattern established in previous antitheses (Matt 5:21, 27, 31). Jesus moves to another well-known saying or commandment.

• you have heard: Refers to the common teaching or interpretation prevalent among the Jewish people, often from oral tradition or rabbinic exegesis of the Mosaic Law, rather than a direct verbatim quote from the Torah.

• that it was said: Indicates the source as human teaching or interpretation, not necessarily directly from God, preparing for Jesus' "But I tell you..." which reveals divine authority.

• to those of old: Refers to the previous generations who received and were taught these commandments and their interpretations.

• You shall not swear falsely: This directly references commands like Lev 19:12 ("You shall not swear by My name falsely"). The Greek term epiorkeō (ἐπιορκέω) means "to swear falsely," or "to commit perjury." The focus here is on breaking a solemn oath, especially one involving the divine name. It was understood as a direct transgression against God's holy name.

• but shall perform: From the Greek apodidōmi (ἀποδίδωμι), meaning "to pay back," "to fulfill," or "to perform." It implies the absolute obligation to carry out what one has promised under oath.

• your oaths: From the Greek horkos (ὅρκος), referring to a formal vow or solemn promise, often invoked with a divine witness or sacred object to guarantee its truthfulness or fulfillment.

• to the Lord: Greek Kyrios (Κύριος), referring to God. This specific phrasing highlights that oaths were particularly binding and taken seriously when invoked "to the Lord" or using His name, making a breach an affront to God himself. The implication of the prevalent teaching was that if one did not swear by the Lord or to the Lord, the oath might be less binding.

• "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old...": This phrase serves as a formula indicating Jesus is addressing a contemporary interpretation or a widespread understanding of an Old Testament command, rather than directly refuting the literal command itself. He aims to expose its inadequacy or a misuse of its spirit.

• "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.": This combines elements from different Old Testament passages (e.g., Lev 19:12; Num 30:2; Deut 23:21). It summarizes the Jewish legal understanding of the serious obligation to avoid perjury and to fulfill sacred vows made to God. The implication often arose that other vows, not explicitly "to the Lord" or not involving a specific form of swearing, might be taken less seriously, a nuance Jesus will challenge in the subsequent verses.

Matthew 5 33 Bonus section

The teaching in Matthew 5:33-37 does not necessarily prohibit all forms of oath-taking, such as those in a judicial court where truth is formally demanded. Both Paul (Rom 1:9, 2 Cor 1:23, Phil 1:8) and even God Himself (Heb 6:13-18) are described as swearing solemn declarations. Rather, Jesus is forbidding the frivolous, manipulative, or unnecessary use of oaths in daily communication to validate what should already be truthful. The essence of the command is to ensure that a believer's word is always equivalent to a sworn promise, reflecting their intrinsic integrity and commitment to truth, thereby eliminating any need for external embellishments or a sliding scale of honesty. It challenges the assumption that some speech is less serious than other speech.

Matthew 5 33 Commentary

Matthew 5:33 serves as a bridge, laying the groundwork for Jesus' more radical injunction against swearing at all in Matthew 5:34-37. Jesus highlights the prevailing Jewish legal tradition which correctly affirmed the serious obligation to avoid false oaths and to fulfill vows made directly to the Lord, rooted in commands found in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Mosaic Law ensured the sanctity of an oath made in God's name, as breaking it was a dishonor to God.

However, Rabbinic discussions and practices of the time had sometimes devolved into fine distinctions about which oaths were binding (e.g., oaths "by the temple" vs. "by the gold of the temple") leading to a casuistry that allowed some forms of speech to be considered less binding if not explicitly sworn "to the Lord." Jesus confronts this legalistic spirit. He implies that such meticulous rules about oath-taking indicate a deeper problem: a lack of inherent integrity in one's everyday speech. If one's 'yes' needs to be fortified by an oath to be trusted, it reveals an underlying dishonesty or a tendency to equivocate.

Jesus' point is that the disciple of Christ should possess such unassailable truthfulness that an oath becomes unnecessary. Their simple word, "Yes" or "No," should be utterly dependable, mirroring the character of God, who is truth Himself and whose promises are unfailing. This teaching moves the focus from the legal formality of an oath to the spiritual integrity of the speaker. It is not about what one swears by, but about the absolute sincerity of who one is.