The Law of Moses and the Swearing of Oaths  (Sermon on the Mount Series) Episode 16 - Sunday, 2nd March 2025.

Sermon on the Mount Series Episode 16 [Matthew 5:37 (KJV)]

1. Three passages make very clear the teaching of the law:

Leviticus 19:12 - "And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD."

Numbers 30:2 - "If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth."

Deuteronomy 23:21 - "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee."

2. The Pharisees' interpretation of the law.

Matthew 23:16-22
"Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieththe gold?  And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?  Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.  And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.  And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon."

3. Jesus' teaching about oaths.

Matthew 5:37
"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

James 5:12
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation."