Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
The earth is under God's authority and Jerusalem belongs to Him as the city of the great King, so neither can be invoked to back up a human oath. This is the reason for the command to swear not at all, for heaven, earth, Jerusalem and even the body are God's and not one's own to pledge, since all things come from Him and nothing is possessed that has not been received. The command forbids common swearing in everyday talk and requires plain speech without exaggeration, in which yes is yes and no is no. It does not forbid God's children, when truly necessary and lawfully called to testify, from solemnly calling God to witness that what they speak is the truth and nothing but the truth. It belongs to Christ's Sermon on the Mount defining God's law and revealing the far-reaching claims of its precepts beyond outward actions, condemning every evil and demanding perfect obedience, for the law is holy, just and good and remains the standard of righteousness as long as heaven and earth endure.
Meaning and Sermon Setting
The earth is God's footstool under His authority and Jerusalem is the city of the great King, declaring His sovereignty over them so that neither can be sworn by to support an oath. Heaven, earth, Jerusalem, and even the body itself are God's and not one's own to pledge for the fulfillment of a word, and this is the reason given for the command to swear not at all. All things come from God, nothing is possessed that has not been received, and everything has been purchased by the blood of Christ, stamped with the cross and precious above all estimate because it is the life of God.
The verse belongs to Christ's Sermon on the Mount in which He defines God's law and reveals the far-reaching claims of its precepts. That law reaches far beyond outward actions, condemns every evil action, and demands perfect obedience. It is not a cold code of commands and traditions but is holy, just, and good, and remains the standard of righteousness as long as heaven and earth endure. Its claims require having its spirit in the heart, because the state of the heart regulates life and character. Labor to instruct new converts in the law is lost unless these broad principles are impressed upon them.
The Sermon's principles describe the kingdom of divine grace rather than promising earthly glory or political restoration. Its teaching stood opposed to the doctrines and practices of the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees. Its instruction contrasts with the repeated sayings of human teachers. Attendance at the rabbinical schools was not encouraged because their teaching could corrupt the mind, and unstable human words should not be treated as exalted wisdom when certain wisdom is available.
Command Against Swearing
The command forbids common swearing in everyday talk, not the judicial oath taken in court. Letting yes be yes and no be no means speaking plainly in common conversation without exaggeration. It forbids swearing by one's own life, swearing by one's head, calling heaven and earth to witness that a thing is so, and calling on God to destroy oneself if untrue. It does not forbid God's children, when truly necessary and lawfully called to testify, from solemnly calling God to witness that they are telling the truth and nothing but the truth. Mistaking this command brings oppression by Satan and loss of the Lord's money.
As part of Christ's explanation of the law on the Mount, it forms a pure gospel standard that exposes dishonest dealings. Those who acquire money unjustly and confuse others about right business methods fail to love God wholeheartedly and their neighbors as required, and their conduct falls short of God's holy law and calls for cleansing of the soul. As part of Christ's plain instruction in Matthew 5, it is to be believed and practiced, shaping Christlike character and faithfulness to God's word. It is part of the words of Christ in Matthew 5 to be dwelt upon often, giving a clear, definite expression of Christ's will.
Willingness to do God's will brings knowledge of true doctrine. That willingness brings divine virtues constantly into life and holds the standard high without spot or wrinkle. It corrects low-grade, backsliding, unkindness, retaliation, strife, and separating words in the church by representing Christ as altogether lovely in words, attitude, and actions. As part of Matthew 5, the verse reveals truth about the laws of God's government.
The earth is under God's authority and Jerusalem belongs to Him as the city of the great King, so neither can be invoked to back up a human oath. This is the reason for the command to swear not at all, for heaven, earth, Jerusalem and even the body are God's and not one's own to pledge, since all things come from Him and nothing is possessed that has not been received. The command forbids common swearing in everyday talk and requires plain speech without exaggeration, in which yes is yes and no is no. It does not forbid God's children, when truly necessary and lawfully called to testify, from solemnly calling God to witness that what they speak is the truth and nothing but the truth. It belongs to Christ's Sermon on the Mount defining God's law and revealing the far-reaching claims of its precepts beyond outward actions, condemning every evil and demanding perfect obedience, for the law is holy, just and good and remains the standard of righteousness as long as heaven and earth endure.
Meaning and Sermon Setting
The earth is God's footstool under His authority and Jerusalem is the city of the great King, declaring His sovereignty over them so that neither can be sworn by to support an oath. Heaven, earth, Jerusalem, and even the body itself are God's and not one's own to pledge for the fulfillment of a word, and this is the reason given for the command to swear not at all. All things come from God, nothing is possessed that has not been received, and everything has been purchased by the blood of Christ, stamped with the cross and precious above all estimate because it is the life of God.
The verse belongs to Christ's Sermon on the Mount in which He defines God's law and reveals the far-reaching claims of its precepts. That law reaches far beyond outward actions, condemns every evil action, and demands perfect obedience. It is not a cold code of commands and traditions but is holy, just, and good, and remains the standard of righteousness as long as heaven and earth endure. Its claims require having its spirit in the heart, because the state of the heart regulates life and character. Labor to instruct new converts in the law is lost unless these broad principles are impressed upon them.
The Sermon's principles describe the kingdom of divine grace rather than promising earthly glory or political restoration. Its teaching stood opposed to the doctrines and practices of the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees. Its instruction contrasts with the repeated sayings of human teachers. Attendance at the rabbinical schools was not encouraged because their teaching could corrupt the mind, and unstable human words should not be treated as exalted wisdom when certain wisdom is available.
Command Against Swearing
The command forbids common swearing in everyday talk, not the judicial oath taken in court. Letting yes be yes and no be no means speaking plainly in common conversation without exaggeration. It forbids swearing by one's own life, swearing by one's head, calling heaven and earth to witness that a thing is so, and calling on God to destroy oneself if untrue. It does not forbid God's children, when truly necessary and lawfully called to testify, from solemnly calling God to witness that they are telling the truth and nothing but the truth. Mistaking this command brings oppression by Satan and loss of the Lord's money.
As part of Christ's explanation of the law on the Mount, it forms a pure gospel standard that exposes dishonest dealings. Those who acquire money unjustly and confuse others about right business methods fail to love God wholeheartedly and their neighbors as required, and their conduct falls short of God's holy law and calls for cleansing of the soul. As part of Christ's plain instruction in Matthew 5, it is to be believed and practiced, shaping Christlike character and faithfulness to God's word. It is part of the words of Christ in Matthew 5 to be dwelt upon often, giving a clear, definite expression of Christ's will.
Willingness to do God's will brings knowledge of true doctrine. That willingness brings divine virtues constantly into life and holds the standard high without spot or wrinkle. It corrects low-grade, backsliding, unkindness, retaliation, strife, and separating words in the church by representing Christ as altogether lovely in words, attitude, and actions. As part of Matthew 5, the verse reveals truth about the laws of God's government.