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"Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, `You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,`
Verse Takeaways
1
Closing the Loopholes
Commentators explain that Jesus is correcting a common abuse of the law. The religious leaders of the day had created a system of 'lesser' oaths—swearing by heaven, the earth, or Jerusalem. They believed these oaths were not truly binding, creating loopholes for dishonesty. Jesus teaches that since all creation belongs to God, any oath is a serious matter that invokes His authority.
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Matthew
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10
18th Century
Presbyterian
Thou shalt not forswear thyself. Christ here proceeds to correct another false interpretation of the law. The law respecting oath…
19th Century
Anglican
By them of old time — This should be read as to them of old time, as before. Here again, the reference is to the letter o…
Baptist
Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths: but…
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Jesus now cites an antithesis on a new theme. What the people have heard is not given as direct OT quotation but as a summary statement accurately …
16th Century
Protestant
You shall not perjure yourself. This also is not a correction of the law, but a true interpretation of it. For God condemned in the law no…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Again, you have heard that it has been said Besides what has been observed, in ver. 21 and 27 you know it has also b…
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There is no reason to consider solemn oaths in a court of justice, or on other proper occasions, to be wrong, provided they are taken with due reve…
13th Century
Catholic
Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, you shall not forswear yourself. Above, the Lord fulfilled one perm…
