Matthew (Written)

Wednesday, 11 December 2024

Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. Matthew 5:36

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Nor in your head shall you swear, for not you are able one hair – white or black – to make” (CG).

In the previous verses, Jesus told His disciples not to swear at all. He then said not to do so in heaven, nor in the earth, nor unto Jerusalem. Now, He finishes this immediate thought, saying, “Nor in your head shall you swear.”

Some scholars have noted that swearing by one’s head was a practice held by those in the past, both in Jewish society and among the Gentiles. But other than being able to think about God and pondering His ways, such a vow has no relationship to Him at all.

The head is a part of the body, and the body of man was fashioned by God. To swear by one’s own head is its own special form of idolatry. First, it raises the head in general to a level of importance comparable to one’s view of God.

Second, it elevates one’s own head to a level that calls out for acknowledgment that it is so. In other words, it is comparable to saying, “I swear by my head. As this is the epitome of importance, you can trust that my vow has all the binding authority of God Himself.”

When thought through, it is an arrogant display of self-exaltation. But humans often say things without thinking the substance of their words through. Quite often this is unintentional, but our words are what define us. As a reason for not swearing by one’s head, Jesus next says, “for not you are able one hair – white or black – to make.”

The Greek word is poieó, to do or to make. The Berean Strong’s Lexicon says it is a word “encompassing a wide range of actions from creating and producing to performing and executing. It is often used to describe God’s creative acts, human actions, and the fulfillment of commands or duties.”

Most interpreters consider these words to mean that we are unable to change the color of even a single hair. That seems unlikely, though, because we actually can change the color of our hair. Bengel attempts to get around this, saying –

“The dye of human art is not real whiteness or blackness. Not merely is a single hair, but even the colour of a single hair, beyond the power of man.”

In other words, his thoughts are that when we dye our white hair black, it is still actually white. This is a possible explanation, but other than the person who does the dyeing, no one else may even know this, and so it somewhat defeats the intent of the thought that is being conveyed. What is probably the meaning is how the Lamsa Bible paraphrases these words –

“Neither shall you swear by your own head, because you cannot create in it a single black or white hair.”

This seems more likely. It aligns with Bengel’s intent, but it avoids the thought of dyeing the hair completely. Humans cannot create anything, even a single hair that is the color of our choosing. If we do not have the ability to create a single hair, either black or white, then we have no right to affirm an oath by swearing upon our heads.

Life application: As noted above, we often quote things without thinking through what we are actually saying. Rather, we simply repeat something that sounded bold, extravagant, or funny without considering how ridiculous the words actually are.

People will often say things like, “Oh my, this kitchen is to die for,” meaning that it is a really beautiful or well-laid-out kitchen. But if someone were willing to die to have a similar kitchen, then he or she would be dead. A dead person having a kitchen is quite pointless.

Likewise, people often say, “He has more money than God.” It sounds funny at first, but it is demeaning of God while being a completely ridiculous claim. God possesses all things, including the money that we make. To say such a thing elevates money above God.

We should consider the clichés we pick up and repeat. Even if they are intended to make a particular point about the subject that is bold or funny, the substance behind them may be foolish, ridiculous, or even blasphemous. As such, we should be careful what things we convey with our lips.

Lord God, give us wisdom in how we communicate our thoughts, knowing that even our words are being evaluated by You. We often speak before we think. From there, our words become ingrained in our conversations and we repeat things that we should not. Help us in this. May what we say always be glorifying of You. Amen.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024

nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Matthew 5:35

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“nor in the earth, for it is a footstool of His feet, nor unto Jerusalem for it is a city of the great King” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus said, “And I, I say to you, not swear atall, either in the heaven, for it is God’s throne.” He continues this thought now, saying, “nor in the earth.”

Jesus again uses the word en, in. It would be like saying, “I swear in the name of the earth.” The sense is “by” earth. Jesus says that like heaven, we are not to swear by earth. These places are a part of creation. They are not God, nor are they to be likened to Him by using them as a point of swearing. Jesus explains this next, saying, “for it is a footstool of His feet.”

Here the hupopodion, footstool, is introduced. It comes from hypo, under, and pous, the foot. Thus, it is that which is under the foot, meaning a footstool. Almost all translations say “the footstool” or simply “His footstool.” There is no article before the word in the Greek, but more, the earth is not the only footstool of God mentioned in the Bible –

“Then King David rose to his feet and said, ‘Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it.’” 1 Chronicles 28:2

It is true that the temple is on the earth, and so someone could argue that it simply happens to be the point on the earth where His footstool exists, but because the use of the word is a metaphor, and as not only the earth is described as God’s footstool, it is best to translate this without a definite article. Next, Jesus says, “nor unto Jerusalem.”

Jesus changes the preposition from en to eis (unto). This word generally denotes motion or direction towards something or someone. In swearing unto Jerusalem, one would be swearing with the purpose or expected result of it being a satisfactory means of validating one’s words. Jesus, however, says that this is not to be so, “for it is a city of the great King.”

Again, there is no article before “city.” It is true that Jerusalem is the earthly city described as the city of God, such as in Psalm 48:2 –

“Beautiful elevation –
Delight of all the earth:
Mount Zion –
Sides north,
City of great King!” (CG)

However, the earthly Jerusalem is not the only city of the great King. Jesus was referring to the earthly Jerusalem in His words to the people, but that is only a type or hopeful anticipation of something else. There is also the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22), which is the antitype of the earthly.

Life application: Sometimes, evaluating things in Scripture may seem to come down to splitting hairs, but it is important to try to be precise. This is often not possible when using a particular translation of the Bible or even many translations of it.

Translators are just people and they are prone to making mistakes. As such, if you are going to really search out the finest points of a verse or passage, it is good to at least be familiar with how to consult the original languages.

They are available right online and come with all of the parsing necessary to at least know if a translation is correct or not. Even if you don’t understand the language, you can determine if the words match or not. This is not necessary until absolute precision in understanding is needed.

Everyone is on a different level of understanding and maturity in relation to the word. So don’t feel like where you are is not acceptable. But as you continue to grow, strive to be precise in your analysis. Until that point, be careful about being dogmatic about something that you may have actually misunderstood.

Lord God, help us to desire precision in our understanding of Your word. May we be diligent about reading it, thinking about it, studying it, and sharing it with others. As we learn, may we be willing to acknowledge where we may be wrong and then be willing to correct our doctrine, fine-tuning it so that we will be sound in what we believe. Amen.

Monday, 9 December 2024

But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; Matthew 5:34

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And I, I say to you, not swear atall, either in the heaven, for it is God’s throne” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that in the law it says that one should not perjure and that oaths were to be performed. However, Jesus now says, “And I, I say to you, not swear atall.”

Here is the first use of the word holós. It signifies wholly or altogether. When preceded by a negative, it signifies “atall” which, yes, is an English word that matches the Greek exactingly. The other three uses of the word will be by Paul in 1 Corinthians.

Rather than making vows, Jesus says to refrain from making them. However, someone might consider this as contradictory. In Deuteronomy 6:13, it says, “You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.”

Someone could say that Jesus is contradicting what Moses taught. It could also be argued that He was rewriting the law rather than fulfilling it. But this is not so. Jesus continues His words with, “either in the heaven, for it is God’s throne.”

This is the first of five things Jesus says you are not to swear by. In this case, the word en, in, is used to indicate instrumentality as in “by heaven.” We use it this way at times, such as, “I swear in my dad’s name.”

Each of those five things is a part of creation. At times, an oath, adjuration, or vow is required. When it is, then it is to be made solely in the name of the Lord. This is evidenced by Jesus responding to such an adjuration in Matthew 26 –

“And the high priest arose and said to Him, ‘Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?’ ⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, ‘I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!’
⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” Matthew 26:62-64

Further, Paul makes such oaths in his epistles quite a few times, such as in Romans 1:8 where he calls God as his witness. Rather, anything less than an oath in His name would be idolatry, elevating something created to a level of prominence that belongs to God alone.

Jesus will continue with His list of things not to swear by in the coming verses.

Life application: There are many in Christian circles who refuse to make a vow, even in the name of the Lord, based on this verse. This is based on a faulty interpretation of what Jesus is saying.

If a matter requires an oath, such as in a courtroom, the oath is only to be made in the name of the true God. As He finishes this thought, Jesus will tell what the normally expected type of guarantee is to be. It is a precept that is repeated several more times in the New Testament, including by Paul.

Be sure to keep things in context and to fully consider the entire matter that is being addressed when coming to decisions about one’s doctrine and life conduct.

Lord God, help our words to be always truthful so that people can rely on them without ever questioning our sincerity and without calling our relationship with You into question. May all those we interact with consider us as faithful people whose words can always be trusted. Amen.

Sunday, 8 December 2024

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ Matthew 5:33

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Again, you heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Not you shall perjure, and you shall render to the Lord your oaths’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus spoke about divorce and the consequences of it. Now, He continues to cite references to the law and then provide stricter interpretations of them that must be considered for one to be right in God’s eyes. He begins the next such reference with, “Again, you heard that it was said to the ancients.”

As before, it is debated if the words should say “by the ancients” or “to the ancients.” The latter is probably correct, but either way, a point of law was conveyed long ago that had been taught and interpreted throughout the years.

Jesus is preparing to give an analysis of it from God’s perspective. First, however, He must state the precept. Therefore, He cites it, saying, “Not you shall perjure.”

The Greek word is found only here, epiorkeó. It signifies “upon oath.” Thus, it means to swear falsely and thus perjure. This is a point of law found in Leviticus 19:12 –

“And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.”

Because profaning the name of the Lord is tied in with swearing falsely in this verse, it then bears on the words of the third commandment as well –

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

When one makes an oath, he is swearing to the truth of a matter. However, to make an oath other than in the name of the Lord would be a form of idolatry. Jesus clarifies this later in Matthew –

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁷ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? ¹⁸ And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁹ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? ²⁰ Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. ²¹ He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. ²² And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.” Matthew 23:16-22

One can see the severity of trifling with the making of oaths. To do so in anything less than the name of the Lord is to defile the name of the Lord. But to make an oath in His name and then to not uphold the oath likewise profanes His name. Understanding this, Jesus continues with, “and you shall render to the Lord your oaths.”

This idea was summed up by Moses with words found in Deuteronomy –

“That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.” Deuteronomy 23:23.

The law set forth a standard for the people. Their failure to meet that standard is evident throughout their history because they, as a nation, vowed to be obedient to the Lord, something that almost never took place in their recorded history.

Jesus will express His thoughts on the issue of making oaths in the next few verses.

Life application: God expects us to keep and perform the words of our mouths. But that must be taken in its proper light. If someone makes a vow to spend his life as a Buddhist monk but later hears the gospel and receives it, then it would be impossible to keep the vow and also honor the Lord through his new life in Christ.

Therefore, that vow cannot stand. This is true with any vow that has been made prior to coming to Christ that would contradict one’s new life in Christ. There has to be a priority in our lives, the highest of which is allegiance to God through our new lives in Christ.

If two women were to get married, something legal in society today, and one of them was to come to believe the gospel, she could not remain married to her partner and be obedient to Christ. The marriage must legally end and the new life in Christ must be the priority henceforth.

In Christ, all things are new. We will not be held accountable for keeping oaths that are contrary to our life in Christ. If they were, they were sinful to start with, and all sin has been atoned for through receiving Him. Let us remember that Jesus must be where our eyes are fixed as we seek out God through this wonderful Savior!

Lord God, may our lives be wholly dedicated to following You. Old things are gone. Our previous lives are behind us. May we steadily strive for this higher calling to which we have been called. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Saturday, 7 December 2024

But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. Matthew 5:32

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And I, I say, to you that whoever if he shall dismiss his wife, except a word of harlotry, he makes her commit adultery. And whoever if ‘her having been dismissed’ he shall marry, he commits adultery” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus cited the words of Moses concerning giving a woman a certificate of divorce. Having said that, He next says, “And I, I say, to you.”

As with Matthew 5:28, almost all translations say either “But I say” or “However, I say.” This then sets Jesus’ words against those of Moses. But this is not the intent at all. Moses said what he said under inspiration from the Lord. It cannot be that the Lord would now contradict or argue against what was previously written.

Rather, and as seen in the previous commentary, Jesus told the people that Moses allowed for divorce because of the hardness of their hearts. This means that God knew that the people would rebel against Him even more than they did if they were not given this allowance.

However, Jesus now explains what the standard of God actually is, not by contradicting Moses (But), but through an additional explanation of how God perceives such things (And). Understanding this, He next says, “that whoever if he shall dismiss his wife.”

To dismiss means to send her away through divorce. As seen, the law in Deuteronomy said that this could be done for a “word of nudity,” meaning some type of shame that caused the husband to no longer want her. As nothing more specific was cited in the law, it became common for divorce to be allowed for almost any reason. However, Jesus next says, “except a word of harlotry.”

Jesus uses the word parektos, translated as except. The meaning then is that there is but this one exception which is noted as a word. The idea of a “word” is that of a matter. The man finds out that the woman has played the harlot, and he resolves to dismiss her because of that. This is the only exception allowed by God’s exacting standard.

As for the word porneia, translated as harlotry, it signifies “to sell off.” Thus, it speaks of surrendering oneself from sexual purity, meaning it refers to marital unfaithfulness. With this one exception identified, Jesus says that through any other reason for divorce, “he makes her commit adultery.”

In other words, the woman has not been unfaithful, but because of the actions of the man in dismissing her, he is actually causing her to be an adulteress. To God, the union did not have a sufficient reason for it being ended. But without such a sufficient reason, it means that to Him, it is still considered a legal union.

A piece of paper doesn’t change the reality of the state between the two. To further clarify the matter, Jesus finishes the verse with, “And whoever if ‘her having been dismissed’ he shall marry, he commits adultery.”

The woman, having been dismissed by her husband for a reason that is insufficient in the eyes of God, is now to be considered an adulteress. As such, the person who marries her is committing adultery with her. God still sees the original union in the light of Genesis 2:24 –

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

As this is so, then anyone coming into this union from the outside is violating the union that was first acknowledged as binding by God. One can see why Jesus’ initial word should be “And” not “But.” Jesus is speaking with the authority of God because He is God incarnate.

He is explaining what is and is not appropriate based on Scripture. But He is doing it from more than an interpretive angle. He is setting forth the standard of God, something only God can do.

Life application: Jesus has spoken forth the standard concerning marriage. He has given one exception for divorce which is sexual immorality (translated as harlotry above) on the part of the spouse. This excludes divorces for any other reason. As such, the marriage is expected to be honored regardless of any other situation that has arisen.

This is so contrary to the allowances in society that it seems impossible to imagine, but it is what the word has set forth. As noted, Paul gives his own thoughts on such things in 1 Corinthians 7. What he says there should be taken into consideration as well. But the idea of divorce should be repugnant to Christians, not an option that is always available because the spouse doesn’t measure up to one’s standards in some way or another.

May we be faithful in our marriages, and may we faithfully honor the spouse we chose, thereby honoring God who set forth the idea of marriage at the beginning of man’s time on earth.

Lord God, we are so grateful for Jesus who has cleansed us from all impurity. Each of us has been unfaithful in so many ways. Our eyes look to things they shouldn’t, and our hearts are easily turned away from the right path. Without Jesus, where could we go from our sins? But because of Jesus, there is a cleansing fountain always there to restore us to You. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.