Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:35

What does Matthew 5:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:35 means

Jesus continues to dismantle the practice of oath-taking by forbidding swearing by the earth, for it is God's "footstool," and by Jerusalem, because it is "the city of the great King." These examples further illustrate that any oath, no matter how indirectly framed, ultimately involves God's authority and sovereignty. Therefore, the command "swear not at all" is comprehensive, advocating for absolute integrity in all communication, rendering oaths superfluous.

Matthew 5:35 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

nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Or by the earth, because it is the resting-place for his foot; or by Jerusalem, because it is the town of the great King.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

nor by the earth, because it is His footstool, nor by Jerusalem, because it is a city of a great king,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

nor by the earth, because it is [the] footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is [the] city of the great King.

Context

This verse extends Jesus' prohibition against oath-taking, building upon the command in verse 34. By cataloging various elements—earth and Jerusalem—that are ultimately linked to God's ownership and authority, it further explains why all oaths are tied to God and therefore unwise. This leads to the final example in the next verse and the conclusion about truthful speech.

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

v.35This passage

v.36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.

Cross references

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

  • Malachi 1:14

    But cursed be the deceiver, who hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King, saith Jehovah of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles.

  • Revelation 21:10

    And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

  • Revelation 21:2

    And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:6

    but I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there, and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

  • Psalms 48:2

    Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, The city of the great King.

  • Psalms 87:2

    Jehovah loveth the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:35

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

  • What Matthew 5:35 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:35 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:35 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:35 teaches us about light and salt

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