When it comes to taking oaths, our minds probably imagine a courtroom setting where we take an oath before taking the stand. We don’t really focus our minds on taking oaths but this was something that was a cultural practice in Jesus’ day. Even though we don’t take oaths the way they did back then, we can still apply this act in a practical way. 

Jesus says in Matthew 5:33, “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’” The law to make oaths and vows to the Lord shows up numerous times in the law including Numbers 5, 30, etc. Oaths and vows made to the Lord were to be fulfilled by the one who made them. It was a way to make yourself commit by making a vow, almost like a promise. What Jesus says next, makes this all the more interesting. 

“But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for 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.” Jesus seems to be contradicting the law here. If the law says to make vows and Jesus is saying not to, he seems to be saying the law he came to fulfill is wrong. Is that what’s going on here? Not exactly. 

What he is saying is that we do not need to make an oath or swear by anything at all because what we say should be what we mean. Jesus goes on to say, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’”. If we just say yes we will do something or no we will not do something, that should be enough. We do not need to make oaths because the intent behind that law is that we live in a way that honors God and those around us. We as followers of Jesus should do what we say we will do and mean it. 

Living by the Spirit means that we don’t have to make promises to God, but we will do the right thing because the Spirit guides us to do those things. Jesus is teaching them that they don’t have to make oaths because their word should be enough. He is telling us today that we should always live to please and that swearing isn’t necessary to live a pleasing and holy life.