Matthew 5:36

"nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King."

Key Reflection

In Matthew 5:36, Jesus addresses the practice of swearing oaths in first-century Jewish culture. By referencing the earth as "the footstool of his feet" and Jerusalem as "the city of the great King," he underscores that these earthly entities are not divine. This teaching challenges the use of such oaths, emphasizing instead the solemnity and directness of speaking truth. Jesus is asserting that invoking God directly is more appropriate than using symbols of earth or a particular city to swear by, thereby encouraging honesty and integrity in speech.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 36. Thy head. This was a common oath. The Gentiles also many of them 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. One hair, etc. 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 therefore improper and profane to pledge what is God's gift and God's property; and it is the same as swearing by God himself.

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