Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 5:33 - 5:37
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_5:33-37
33"Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.' 34But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes'or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil."
Mat_5:33 "vows" This was an allusion to several OT texts. This did not mean cursing, but God's name being brought into a conversation to assure the truth of one's statements (cf. Mat_23:16-22; Jas_5:12). Vows or oaths in the OT could refer to (1) worship (cf. Deu_6:15); (2) legal proceedings (cf. Exo_20:7; Lev_19:12); or (3) affirmations of doing something (cf. Leviticus 27; Num_30:2; Deu_23:21-22). Jesus was involved in an oath in Mat_26:63-64. Paul made oaths in 2Co_1:23, Gal_1:20, Php_1:8, and 1Th_2:5. Another oath is found in Heb_6:16. The focus is not on oath taking, but on failing to perform the vow!
Mat_5:34-36 This showed how elaborately the rabbis had developed binding and unbinding oaths (cf. Mat_23:16-22). It was a way to appear to be telling the truth by associating one's statement with Deity, but all the time knowing that one's oath, expressed in certain ways, was not legally binding.
Mat_5:34 "make no oath" Jesus testified under oath in Mat_26:63-64. Paul often confirmed his words by oaths in God's name (cf. 2Co_1:23; Gal_1:20; Php_1:8; 1Th_2:5; 1Th_2:10). The issue is truthfulness, not restricting oaths (cf. Jas_5:12).
Mat_5:37 " But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes'or 'No, no'" Jesus was concerned with truthfulness, not form! Others who claim to know God should be honest and trustworthy, not tricky.
NASB "evil"
NKJV, NRSV "the evil one"
TEV, NJB "the Evil One"
The inflected form of the term in Greek can either be neuter, "evil" or masculine, "the evil one" (see special Topic at Mat_4:5). This same ambiguity occurs in Mat_6:13; Mat_13:19; Mat_13:38; Joh_17:15; 2Th_3:3; 1Jn_2:13-14; 1Jn_3:12; 1Jn_5:18-19.
Evil has several forms.
1. a fallen world system, Genesis 3; Eph_2:2; Jas_4:4
2. personal evil, Eph_2:2
3. fallen individuals, Eph_2:3; Jas_4:1-2
Evil looks for an opportunity to kill, steal, and destroy. Only the mercy of God, His Son, and His Spirit can enable us to live happy, purposeful, contented lives!