Matthew 5:33-37
The King commands truthful speech so that a disciple's yes and no need no manipulative oath to be trusted.
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’
34 but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
The King commands truthful speech so that a disciple's yes and no need no manipulative oath to be trusted.
Matthew records Jesus exposing manipulative oath-making and calling kingdom disciples to simple, reliable truthfulness before God.
The Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches disciples and crowds about the righteousness of the kingdom.
Kingdom Blessedness, Fulfilled Law, and Heart-Level Righteousness
Jesus reveals that kingdom citizens are blessed, visible, Scripture-governed, and called to a heart-level righteousness that reflects the character of their heavenly Father.