Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:33

What does Matthew 5:33 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:33 means

Jesus moves to the next reinterpretation, focusing on oaths, specifically referencing the Old Testament command against false swearing and the necessity of fulfilling vows made to the Lord. The common understanding emphasized not bearing false witness and fulfilling formal oaths. This sets the stage for Jesus to elevate the standard, calling for a radical integrity of speech that makes formal oaths unnecessary.

Matthew 5:33 in context

Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes

Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.

  • Kingdom ethics
  • Inner righteousness
  • True blessedness
  • Light and salt

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Again, you have knowledge that it was said in old times, Do not take false oaths, but give effect to your oaths to the Lord:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Again, ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not swear falsely, but thou shalt pay to the Lord thine oaths;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Again, ye have heard that it has been said to the ancients, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt render to the Lord what thou hast sworn.

Context

This verse introduces another "You have heard... but I say unto you" contrast, turning to the practice of making oaths and vows. It establishes the traditional understanding of performing oaths to the Lord, setting the stage for Jesus' more radical teaching on absolute truthfulness in speech that follows in the subsequent verses.

v.32but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.

v.33This passage

v.34but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;

Cross references

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

  • Nahum 1:15

    Behold, upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! Keep thy feasts, O Judah, perform thy vows; for the wicked one shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

  • Psalms 76:11

    Vow, and pay unto Jehovah your God: Let all that are round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

  • Deuteronomy 23:23

    That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt observe and do; according as thou hast vowed unto Jehovah thy God, a freewill-offering, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

  • Deuteronomy 5:11

    Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain: for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

  • Matthew 23:16

    Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor.

  • Psalms 50:14

    Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; And pay thy vows unto the Most High;

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:33

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:33 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:33 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:33 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:33 teaches us about light and salt

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