Devine Scripture

Matthew 23:22

What does Matthew 23:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 23:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 23:22 means

Jesus delivers the ultimate clarification regarding oaths: to swear by heaven is to swear by God's throne, and consequently, by God Himself who sits on that throne. This statement makes it unequivocally clear that all oaths, regardless of their immediate object, ultimately appeal to God, who upholds all truth and justice. This teaching dismantles the Pharisees' meticulous and hypocritical distinctions, revealing that any oath carries divine weight and should be treated with utmost reverence for God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he who takes an oath by heaven, takes it by the seat of God, and by him who is seated on it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he who did swear by the heaven, doth swear by the throne of God, and by Him who is sitting upon it.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he that sweareth by heaven sweareth by the throne of God and by him that sitteth thereon.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he that swears by heaven swears by the throne ofGod and by him that sits upon it.

Context

This verse climactically concludes Jesus' comprehensive teaching on oaths, taking the principle to its highest point: swearing by heaven. It clarifies that such an oath invokes God's very throne and His presence, thereby encompassing all other oaths. This definitive statement completely dismantles the Pharisees' deceptive distinctions, ensuring that His listeners understand the serious, God-centered nature of all vows, thereby completing this specific segment of the third woe.

v.21And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

v.22This passage

v.23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 5:34

    but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;

  • Revelation 4:2

    Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;

  • Acts 7:49

    The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord: Or what is the place of my rest?

  • Psalms 11:4

    Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

  • Isaiah 66:1

    Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest?

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