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NASB | Matthew 5:37 "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:37 "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no' [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one. [Lev 19:12; Num 30:2; Deut 23:21] |
Bible Question: What does Matthew 5:37 mean? What can be a good visual for this scripture |
Bible Answer: Blessings atyler! "The OT allowed oaths except those that profaned the name of God. Jesus would do away with all oaths, in favor of always speaking the truth." (Zondervan NIV Study Bible, pg. 1446) The Disciple's Study Bible states, "MATTHEW 5:37: Evil and Suffering, Satan—The temptation to take unnecessary oaths was from "the evil one" or Satan. Christians can be trusted to tell the truth. We should not have to add long sentences promising to do so. Only people controlled by Satan and, thus, not trusted by the world have to try to convince people of their honesty. Such a statement as this is not trying to teach about human conduct in human courts." The Ryrie Expanded Edition NASB states, "5:33-37: MAKE FALSE VOWS, or perjure yourself. Oaths taken in the name of the Lord were binding, and perjury was strongly condemned in the law (Ex. 20:7; Lev. 19:12; Deut. 19:16-19). Every oath contained an affirmation or promise and an appeal to God as the omniscient punisher of falsehoods, which made the oath binding. Thus we find phrases like “as the Lord lives” (1 Sam. 14:39). The emphasis on the sanctity of oaths led to the feeling that ordinary phrasing need not be truthful or binding. Jesus, however, taught (v. 37) that we should say and mean yes or no and never equivocate." The Believer's Study Bible comments, "5:37: Complete honesty should be typical of the kingdom citizen, so that no oath is necessary to guarantee trustworthiness for one's "yes" or "no." The law regarding oaths was based upon the third Commandment. False testimony resulted in severe consequences, since it consisted of taking God’s name in vain (Ex 20:7; Lev 19:11, 12; Num 30:2; Deut 19:16-20). The rabbis taught that oaths which omitted God’s name could be broken and were not binding. Jesus maintains that God is involved in heaven, earth, Jerusalem, and all things. Hence, all oaths are binding, and any attempt to avoid an oath while pretending to keep it profanes the divine name. The reference is neither to taking oaths in court nor to profanity." |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 5:37 | Author | ||
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atyler | ||
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Makarios | ||
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Ray | ||
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heisthe1 | ||
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Hamartolos | ||
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BradK |