Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 5:33-37

"Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil [one]." — Matthew 5:33-37 (ASV)

False swearing was forbidden formerly, but every kind of swearing is forbidden now by the word of our Lord Jesus. He mentions several forms of oath and forbids them all, and then prescribes simple forms of affirmation or denial as all that His followers should employ.

Despite many arguments to the contrary, the plain meaning of this passage cannot be evaded: every sort of oath, however solemn or true, is forbidden to a follower of Jesus. Whether in a court of law or out of it, the rule is, Swear not at all. Yet, in this Christian country, we have swearing everywhere, especially among lawmakers. Our legislators begin their official existence by swearing.

By those who obey the law of the Savior's kingdom, all swearing is set aside, so that the simple word of affirmation or denial, calmly repeated, may remain as a sufficient bond of truth. A bad man cannot be believed on his oath, and a good man speaks the truth without an oath. To what purpose is the superfluous custom of legal swearing preserved? Christians should not yield to an evil custom, however great the pressure put upon them, but they should abide by the plain and unmistakable command of their Lord and King.

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither of heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

False swearing was forbidden in ancient times, but every kind of swearing is forbidden now by the word of our Lord Jesus. He mentions several forms of oath, and forbids them all, and then prescribes simple forms of affirmation or denial, as all that his followers should employ. Despite much that may be argued to the contrary, there is no evading the plain sense of this passage, that every sort of oath, however solemn or true, is forbidden to a follower of Jesus.

Whether in court of law, or out of it, the rule is, Swear not at all. Yet, in this Christian country we have swearing everywhere, and especially among law-makers. Our legislators begin their official existence by swearing. By those who obey the law of the Saviour's kingdom, all swearing is set aside, that the simple word of affirmation or denial, calmly repeated, may remain as a sufficient bond of truth. A bad man cannot be believed on his oath, and a good man speaks the truth without an oath; to what purpose is the superfluous custom of legal swearing preserved?

Christians should not yield to an evil custom, however great the pressure put upon them; but they should abide by the plain and unmistakable command of their Lord and King.