Matthew 5:36
What does Matthew 5:36 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 5:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 5:36 means
Completing His argument against oath-taking, Jesus forbids swearing by one's own head. He points out the human inability to control even a minor detail like changing hair color. This demonstrates that one's very existence and capabilities are not independently controlled, but ultimately depend on God. Therefore, to stake an oath on one's head is presumptuous, further reinforcing that all speech should be inherently truthful, rather than relying on external affirmations.
Matthew 5:36 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 · 2000Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You may not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862nor by thy head mayest thou swear, because thou art not able one hair to make white or black;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Context
This verse concludes Jesus' examples of why certain oaths are inappropriate, following on from verses 34 and 35. It highlights human limitations and God's ultimate sovereignty even over personal details. This completes the negative injunction against swearing, setting the stage for the positive command for simple, truthful speech in the subsequent verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 12:25
And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?
- Matthew 6:27
And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?
- 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.
Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:36
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Matthew 5:36 teaches us about kingdom ethics
What Matthew 5:36 teaches us about inner righteousness
What Matthew 5:36 teaches us about true blessedness
What Matthew 5:36 teaches us about light and salt
Related questions readers ask
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