Matthew 5:33-37 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:33-37

We have here an exposition of the third commandment, which we are the more concerned right to understand, because it is particularly said, that God will not hold him guiltless, however he may hold himself, who breaks this commandment, by taking the name of the Lord in vain. Now as to this command, I. It is agreed on all hands that it forbids perjury, forswearing, and the violation of oaths and vows, Matt. 5:33. This was said to them of old time, and is the true intent and meaning of the third... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

As we have already seen, Matthew has a careful pattern in his gospel. In his story of the baptism of Jesus he shows us Jesus realizing that the hour has struck, that the call to action has come, and that Jesus must go forth on his crusade. In his story of the Temptations he shows us Jesus deliberately choosing the method he will use to carry out his task, and deliberately rejecting methods which he knew to be against the will of God. If a man sets his hand to a great task, he needs his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:33

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said ,.... Besides what has been observed, in ver. 21 and 27 you know it has also been said, by, or to them of old time , what is written in Leviticus 19:12 . "And ye shall not swear by my name falsely"; which seems to be referred to, when it is said, "thou shalt not forswear thyself": and is the law forbidding perjury, or false swearing; and was what the Jews were chiefly, if not only concerned about; little regarding the vanity, only the truth... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:34

But I say unto you, swear not at all ,.... Which must not be understood in the strictest sense, as though it was not lawful to take an oath upon any occasion, in an affair of moment, in a solemn serious manner, and in the name of God; which may be safely done: but of rash swearing, about trivial matters, and by the creatures; as appears by what follows, neither by heaven ; which is directly contrary to the Jewish canons F13 Misn. Shebuot, c. 4. sect. 13. , which say, "they that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:35

Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool ,.... That the Jews were wont to swear by the earth, is clear from the above mentioned instances; and is condemned by Christ for this reason, because the earth is God's "footstool", referring, as before, to Isaiah 66:1 on which he treads; and where he also manifests forth his glory, and is a considerable part of the work of his hands. Neither by Jerusalem , which the Jews used to swear by: such forms of vows as these are to be met with in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:36

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head ,.... This also was a common form of swearing among the Jews: take a few instances. "If anyone is bound to his friend by an oath, and says to him, vow unto me בחיי ראשך , "by the life of thy head"; R. Meir says F21 Misn. Sanhedrim, c. 3. sect 2. , he may retract it; but the wise men say, he cannot.' Again F23 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 3. 1. , a certain Rabbi said to Elijah, "I heard "Bath Kol" (or the voice from heaven) mourning like a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:37

But let your communication be yea, yea ,.... That is, let your speech, in your common conversation, and daily business of life, when ye answer to anything in the affirmative, be "yea"; and when ye answer to anything in the negative, "nay": and for the stronger asseveration of the matter, when it is necessary, double these words; but let no oaths be joined unto them: this is enough; a righteous man's yea, is yea, and his no, is no; his word is sufficient. Hence it appears, that our Lord is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:33

Thou shalt not forswear thyself - They dishonor the great God, and break this commandment, who use frequent oaths and imprecations, even in reference to things that are true; and those who make vows and promises, which they either cannot perform, or do not design to fulfill, are not less criminal. Swearing in civil matters is become so frequent, that the dread and obligation of an oath are utterly lost in it. In certain places, where oaths are frequently administered, people have been known... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:34-35

Neither by heaven, etc. - It was a custom among the Scythians, when they wished to bind themselves in the most solemn manner, to swear by the king's throne; and if the king was at any time sick, they believed it was occasioned by some one's having taken the oath falsely. Herod. l. iv. Who is there among the traders and people of this world who obey this law? A common swearer is constantly perjuring himself: such a person should never be trusted. When we make any promise contrary to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:36

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head - For these plain reasons: 1st. God commands thee not to do it. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:33-37

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:36

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:37

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:33

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:34-35

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:36

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