Matthew 5:36 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:36

For thou canst not , etc. As each of the other objects included a reference to God, so does also thy head. For even that recalls to mind the power of God, since every hair of it bears the stamp of his handiwork. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:36

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head - This was a common oath. The Gentiles also used this oath. To swear by the head was the same as to swear by the life; or to say, I will forfeit my life if what I say is not true. God is the Author of the life, and to swear by that, therefore, is the same as to swear by him.Because thou canst not make one hair white or black - You have no control or right over your own life. You cannot even change one single hair. God has all that control; and it is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:33-37

Matthew 5:33-37. Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time Or rather, was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, &c. See the margin. The Jewish doctors affirmed, that oaths were obligatory according to the nature of the things by which a man swears: Matthew 23:10. Hence they allowed the use of such oaths in common conversation as they said were not obligatory; pretending that there was no harm in them, because the law, which forbade them to forswear... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:21-48

40. Legal obedience is not enough (Matthew 5:21-48; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 12:57-59)After his explanation concerning right and wrong attitudes to the law, Jesus gives a number of examples. He introduces these examples with statements such as ‘You have heard that it was said in the past’. This is not the same as ‘It is written’. Jesus is not quoting from the Old Testament but from the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. He is not contradicting the law but the interpretations of the law that the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 5:33-37

Matthew 5:33-37. Again, ye have heard, &c.— As to oaths, the doctors affirmed, that they were obligatory, according to the nature of the things by which a man swears. See ch. Matthew 23:16. Hence they allowed the use of such oaths in common conversation as they said were not obligatory; pretending that there was no harm in them, because the law which forbad them to forswear themselves, and enjoined them to perform their vows, meant such solemn oaths only, as were of a binding nature. It was... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:36

36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black—In the other oaths specified, God's name was profaned quite as really as if His name had been uttered, because it was instantly suggested by the mention of His "throne," His "footstool," His "city." But in swearing by our own head and the like, the objection lies in their being "beyond our control," and therefore profanely assumed to have a stability which they have not. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:17-48

Righteousness and the Scriptures 5:17-48In His discussion of righteousness (character and conduct that conforms to the will of God), Jesus went back to the revelation of God’s will, namely, God’s Word, the Old Testament. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:33-37

God’s will concerning oaths 5:33-37 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:34-36

Jesus cut through all the casuistry by saying that if oaths that God intended to guarantee truthfulness in speech become the instruments of deceit, it is better to avoid oaths altogether. Again Jesus got below the external act to the real issue at stake that had been God’s concern from the beginning. The way to dispense with false swearing is to avoid all swearing. Righteous people should not need to confirm their statements with an appeal to a higher authority. Their word should be enough (cf.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

The Sermon on the MountJohn 5:1 to John 7:29. The Sermon on the Mount: see Luke 6:20. This sermon is so similar to the sermon reported by St. Luke (Luke 6:20), that it is best to regard them as identically the same. It is true that it has been plausibly suggested that our Lord during His preaching tours often repeated nearly the same sermon to different audiences, and that St. Matthew has given us the sermon as delivered at one place and St. Luke as delivered at another, but the resemblances... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:36

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:36

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:33-37

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:21-48

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 5:33-37

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:36

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:17-48

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:33-37

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:34-36

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

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