Weekly Playlist  |  May 20-26

Sermon on the Mount - Oaths, Retaliation, and Enemy Love

Oaths and Truth-Telling

Listen to the short passage of Scripture below and then watch some related resources. As you meditate on this passage, think about this question: Why does Jesus tell his followers to not swear oaths?

Watch – An Introduction to Oaths, Retaliation, and Enemy Love
Read – Matthew 5:33-37

Matthew 5:33-37

Oaths and Truth-Telling

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Oaths and Truth-Telling
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Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, "Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made."
And I tell you, do not swear an oath at all, not by the sky, because it is God's throne; not by the land, because it is his footstool; not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the Great King.
And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
But let your word be "yes, yes," or "no, no." Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
About This Translation
This reading uses a new translation from the BibleProject Scholar Team, which aims to bring fresh language to familiar words while using consistent English terms for Greek words used throughout this part of Scripture.

We'll be adding more translations here in the future, but in the meantime, you can find more translations now on the BibleProject app.
Watch – Sermon on the Mount, Wisdom Within Laws About Oaths, Retaliation, and Enemy Love

Highlight

Jesus teaches that peacemaking begins with honesty, encouraging his followers to respond to injustice with creative nonviolence and love for their enemies.

Watch – Visual Commentaries, Matthew 5:33-37: Oaths and Truth-Telling

Highlight

Jesus warns his followers against making oaths. By keeping their word, they can live with honesty and avoid the temptation to manipulate others.

Listen – Oaths from the Evil One

Chapter from Sermon on the Mount E14

Oaths from the Evil One

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Jesus says that adding anything to a promise beyond “yes or no” comes from the evil one. He is referencing a biblical pattern of people who use oaths to manipulate and deceive. When humans do this, they behave like the snake in Genesis 3.

Invite your friends and family to meditate on the teachings of Jesus together.
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