Mat 5:34-36 | MHM | STEP | v. 34 : Jesus teaches, But I say to you, Do not swear at all (Matthew 5:34; James 5:12 ). This means we should not use oaths carelessly or in ordinary conversation. Swearing an oath is a serious act and should only be done when truly necessary, like in a court of law (Hebrews 6:16 ). Oaths are part of worship when used properly (Deuteronomy 6:13 ), but in daily speech we should avoid them. Our words should be trustworthy without the need for extra promises.

‏ Matthew 5:34-36

v. 34: Jesus teaches, But I say to you, Do not swear at all (Matthew 5:34; James 5:12 ^a). This means we should not use oaths carelessly or in ordinary conversation. Swearing an oath is a serious act and should only be done when truly necessary, like in a court of law (Hebrews 6:16 ^b). Oaths are part of worship when used properly (Deuteronomy 6:13 ^c), but in daily speech we should avoid them. Our words should be trustworthy without the need for extra promises.

v. 35: Jesus explains that we must not swear by anything else, like heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or even our own head (Matthew 5:34-36 ^d). Heaven is God’s throne, earth is his footstool (Psalm 24:1 ^e), and Jerusalem is the city of the great King (Psalm 48:2 ^f). Even our own heads belong to God, because we cannot change anything about ourselves without him (Psalm 3:3 ^g). So, swearing by these things is really swearing by God, and we should avoid it.

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