Why Jesus Says Not to Swear Oaths

Sermon on the Mount E14 - In Matthew 5:33-48, Jesus offers three case studies about how people can work together in spite of conflict. The first case study focuses on the ancient practice of oath keeping. By the time of Jesus, ancient Israelites no longer spoke the divine name of Yahweh out of respect, but they would still swear oaths by things closely related to God-like the sky, land, temple, etc. Some people used these oaths as a loophole because they felt less serious to break (“I only swore by the temple!”). In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss Jesus’ teaching on oaths, which demonstrates God’s wisdom on the integrity of our words and the danger of even small deceptions.
Show Music:
Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
Additional music by UpsiDown
BibleProject theme song by TENTS
Show Credits:
Jon Collins is the creative producer for today’s show, and Tim Mackie is the lead scholar. Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; Colin Wilson, producer; and Stephanie Tam, consultant and editor. Tyler Bailey, Frank Garza, and Aaron Olsen are our audio editors. Tyler Bailey is also our audio engineer, and he also provided our sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Today’s hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones.

[@vinnybaggins]

Christians don't need to swear oaths, because their ordinary words are as truthful and trustworthy as an oath. Very good episode, which is a redundancy, since it is from BP. God bless you!

[@autumn4115]

Wow, what a powerful teaching. I'm emotional right now, to see the freedom that is found in the Word of God. Thank you guys for this beautiful teaching.

[@catherinegloria133]

Thank you for this. I am realising more and more that God's standards are really high and this makes me truly appreciate the price Jesus paid on the cross otherwise apart from Jesus I would never be able to draw close to God.

[@mannsdan]

OMG so fascinating. Thank you for this wonderful podcast. I'm listening again!

[@toby2real]

Very insightful

[@BramptonAnglican]

Love this channel. I’m learning so much. Thank you guys. 🙏🏿✝️

[@m.stokes7930]

Oath taking = playing the God card. Game over, can't argue.

[@jarrettperdue3328]

Thank you for the upload

[@SeanRhoadesChristopher]

(Sirach 23:7-11 NRSV) Listen, my children, to instruction concerning the mouth; the one who observes it will never be caught. Sinners are overtaken through their lips; by them the reviler and the arrogant are tripped up. Do not accustom your mouth to oaths, nor habitually utter the name of the Holy One; for as a servant who is constantly under scrutiny will not lack bruises, so also the person who always swears and utters the Name will never be cleansed from sin. The one who swears many oaths is full of iniquity, and the scourge will not leave his house. If he swears in error, his sin remains on him, and if he disregards it, he sins doubly; if he swears a false oath, he will not be justified, for his house will be filled with calamities. (Sirach 23:7-11 NRSV)

[@michelleprull4105]

Maybe that’s why I feel so wrong and yucky when the pledge of allegiance is being done. Just saying the words feels wrong to me. First we are “pledging allegiance” to an object and then saying that object is under God.

[@mattmullins771]

everything is under GOD the men and woman how founded this country know that some country dont even let u speak his name let alone put him in his proper place all thing will be good in his time GOD bless😊

[@michelleprull4105]

@@mattmullins771 But it’s not saying you pledge allegiance to God. It says you pledge allegiance to a country and the republic. I certainly don’t. I love founding principles of this country and it being under God but I don’t agree certainly with a lot.

[@ChrisPMuffin]

My fiancé swore an oath as did I under God, we made vows to love each other forever. She left two weeks ago, saying she did not feel peace. How can I approach forgiveness? How could she, if it is possible?

[@michelleprull4105]

So sorry to hear this. I am not someone to give advise. Ask God how to forgive her. You know by His word and character that you need to so He will help you to. You don’t walk through anything without Him. Who was more betrayed than Jesus?

[@SDsc0rch]

10:57 --- pro tip: "yahweh" is NOT the divine name