Mat 5:33-37 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 5:33-37: 5:33-37 Jesus here summarizes the Old Testament teaching on oaths (Lev 19:12 ; Num 30:2-4 ; Deut 23:21-23 ; Ps 50:14 ; Zech 8:17 ). The Pharisees had degrees of commitment for oaths—for example, ones that did not mention God were not as binding. Jesus shows that because God is related to all things ( heaven , earth , Jerusalem , my head ; see also Matt 23:16-22 ), breaking any oath breaks God’s command (see Exod 20:7 ). The point is that one must be altogether truthful. Jesus’ righteousness elevates the disciple’s everyday yes and no to the level of binding oath. Oaths become superfluous to the honest person (Jas 5:12 ).

a5:33-37►

bLev 19:12►

cNum 30:2-4►

dDeut 23:21-23►

ePs 50:14►

fZech 8:17►

gMatt 23:16-22►

hExod 20:7►

iJas 5:12►

‏ Matthew 5:33-37

Summary for Matt 5:33-37: 5:33-37 ^a Jesus here summarizes the Old Testament teaching on oaths (Lev 19:12 ^b; Num 30:2-4 ^c; Deut 23:21-23 ^d; Ps 50:14 ^e; Zech 8:17 ^f). The Pharisees had degrees of commitment for oaths—for example, ones that did not mention God were not as binding. Jesus shows that because God is related to all things (heaven, earth, Jerusalem, my head; see also Matt 23:16-22 ^g), breaking any oath breaks God’s command (see Exod 20:7 ^h). The point is that one must be altogether truthful. Jesus’ righteousness elevates the disciple’s everyday yes and no to the level of binding oath. Oaths become superfluous to the honest person (Jas 5:12 ⁱ).