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Explanation for:
Matthew
5
:
36
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Jewish people are often recognized for the unfavorable practice of invoking the elements of the world in their oaths, a behavior frequently criticized by prophetic voices. One who swears demonstrates love or respect for the entity invoked. Scripture instructs us to swear only by the Lord our God. However, the Jews have, at times, sworn by angels, the city of Jerusalem, the temple, and the various elements of creation, thereby ascribing to created beings and physical objects a reverence that is due solely to God. It is noteworthy that the Savior does not prohibit oaths taken in God's name; rather, He prevents swearing by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or one's own head. This stipulation serves as a concession to them, given their spiritual immaturity, allowing them to offer sacrifices to God instead of to idols. They are permitted to swear by God's name, not because it is encouraged, but because it is preferable to do so in honor of God than in the names of false deities. However, the message of the Gospel ultimately rejects the practice of swearing altogether, as every word not blessed takes the place of oaths."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In this context, Christ addresses the act of swearing by the head, not out of a desire to honor humanity, which would imply that humans deserve worship. By ascribing glory to God, He illustrates that individuals possess no real authority over themselves and, consequently, cannot justifiably swear by their own heads. If a father would never relinquish his son to others, how much less would God give His creation to you? Though the head may belong to you, it ultimately belongs to another, and your control over it is so limited that you cannot do even the slightest thing regarding it. Christ did not state that you cannot grow a hair, but rather that you cannot alter its essence. You may wonder what happens if someone insists on an oath and even forces it upon you. Let the reverence for God outweigh any form of coercion. If you offer such justifications, you will struggle to uphold any commandment. You might say of your wife, “What if she is harsh and extravagant?” Likewise, you would say of your right eye: “What if I cherish it and become overly attached?” You might also question the temptation of your eyes: “Am I prohibited from gazing at it?” Or consider your anger toward a brother and argue, “What if I am irritable and cannot control my words?” In this way, you could find yourself easily transgressing all these commandments. However, with respect to human laws, you would never dare present such excuses and say, “What if this or that?” – yet, whether you wish to or not, you must adhere to the law. Regarding the commandment at hand, swearing may not even be necessary for you. The one who embraces the lessons of the aforementioned beatitudes and aligns themselves as instructed by Christ will be perceived by all as deserving of honor and respect, thus escaping the need to take oaths."},{"author-name":"Chromatius of Aquileia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a3df6d7a747a33b4f4a_Chromatius%20of%20Aquileia.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The Lord's words carry a dual significance when He instructs us not to swear by anything. First, He desires that we abandon the practice of oaths and the tendency toward human error, so that none may mistake the created order for the Creator, nor presume they can act with impunity by invoking worldly elements. As it is written, And swear not to his neighbour treacherously (Psalm 23:4). In doing so, He denounces the unfaithfulness of Israel and all of humanity, who, in turning away from the Creator, have granted divine reverence to creation, as the apostle states: And they worshipped, and served the creature instead of the Creator (Rom. 1:25). Additionally, it can be interpreted in another manner: swearing by heaven and earth essentially involves invoking the One Who made them. The Lord has highlighted this concept elsewhere, declaring: He who swears by the altar swears by it and by all that is upon it; and he who swears by the temple swears by it and by Him who dwells in it (Matt. 23:20-21). He instructs us not to swear by Jerusalem, for it represents the city of the Great King, symbolizing the body of Christ, which reflects the spiritual and heavenly Church. Likewise, He says not to swear by your own head, for as the Apostle teaches, Christ is the head of every man (1 Cor. 11:3). Thus, anyone who swears by these things is ultimately swearing by the Creator of all."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"God alone makes oaths by His own self, as He relies on no one else. Yet, we lack authority over our own lives, so what right do we have to make claims concerning ourselves? We belong to another. For if you consider your head to be your own, try, if you are able, to alter even a single strand of hair."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Avoid making oaths by something as trivial as your own head; doing so may lead you to a more significant commitment. Remember that your head, too, is a creation of God, which means that even in this instance, an oath is made by God, who governs it with His authority. While it is indeed yours, it is not of your own making, as shown by your inability to change even a single hair from white to black."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Do not swear by your own head – Avoid the practice common among the Jews, saying, ‘May I perish if I speak falsely’; for your life is not yours to control, but belongs to God, since you cannot change a single hair to white or black. Therefore, why invoke that which lies beyond your authority? Moreover, regardless of your inner deceit, pledges made in your own name carry the same weight as those made in God's name. An oath is sacred and significant; it should not be taken lightly or altered whimsically. Instead, strive to lead a life of such righteousness, honesty, and integrity that oaths become unnecessary, allowing others to trust you without them. Frequent swearing diminishes credibility. Thus, in your daily interactions, avoid swearing altogether and commit to speaking only the truth."},{"author-name":"Philaret (Amphiteatrov)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896e9b7a2ebaf99e4620a_Philaret%20(Amphiteatrov).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Gospel presents us with another teaching from the Savior, aimed at safeguarding us from falsehood, to which the human heart, tainted by sin, is especially vulnerable. In the ancient covenant, breaking an oath made before the Lord was expressly prohibited. Jesus Christ, reaffirming this command, instructs us to refrain from any oaths that rely on our own will. It is essential to note that this restriction does not pertain to oaths mandated by civil law, such as pledging loyalty to the Sovereign or giving truthful testimony by oath when required. Such obligations are grounded in the divine law of obedience to established authority. Yet, frivolous oaths are condemned, often lacking significant reasoning. This prohibition exists because they contravene God's unchangeable directive: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (Exodus 20:7). These vows and oaths degrade the reverence of God within our hearts, subtly fostering a propensity for deceit, while also encouraging a disregard for lawful oaths, often leading to severe breaches of them. Thus, the Savior, seeking to eradicate the root of this malady from our hearts, instructs us not to swear by the sacred and awe-inspiring name of God, nor by heaven, which is His throne, nor by the earth, which serves as His footstool, nor by Jerusalem, as the Jews often did, holding it as the holy city of the King of Israel, nor even by our own heads; for we cannot create a single hair or alter its color from black to white, or vice versa. To affirm truthfulness in all matters, Jesus Christ declares: let your word be simply 'yes' or 'no,' and anything beyond this derives from the wicked adversary of our salvation, the devil, who, as the father of lies, endeavors to implant pernicious seeds of deceit in our hearts, gradually leading us to grievous violations of our oaths. The most insidious deception of the evil spirit is the notion that disobeying Christ’s commandments is a trivial matter, while simultaneously threatening severe consequences for such infractions, thereby attempting to eradicate the fear of divine judgment from our hearts, which serves to protect our souls from the Lord. Once he succeeds in removing this divine safeguard, he invades the heart unimpeded, plundering the treasures of grace within, seizing the soul as his captive, and utilizing the body as an instrument of his wickedness. It is imperative, dear brethren, that we diligently guard our hearts, which have been sanctified as the dwelling place of God Himself, ensuring that all our bodily senses function as pure instruments for fulfilling His commandments, in accordance with the wisdom found in Scripture: “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). We should continually pray to our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, asking Him to protect our hearts with the saving fear of His righteous judgment, to fill them with His love, so that we may love our Lord and God with all our heart, soul, mind, strength, and thoughts (Matthew 22:37); that we may walk blamelessly in the light of His commandments and thus become heirs to eternal life. Amen."},{"author-name":"Kochomski S.W.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Old Testament Law prohibited the invocation of God's name in frivolous matters, particularly in the context of false assurances. The third commandment among the Ten Commandments, derived from the dual meanings of the Hebrew term shaveh, encompasses both unnecessary and deceitful usage, forbidding both the trivialization of God's name (as stated in “thou shalt not take the name of thy Lord in vain,” Exodus 20:7) and lying in its name. Jesus Christ clarifies this commandment, indicating that swearing by God's name to deceive is prohibited, which is captured in the Greek term, οὐκ ἐπιορκήσεις. In response to this directive, the Jews of Christ's time avoided using God’s name for dishonesty, opting instead to swear by heaven, the earth, Jerusalem, or even their own heads, thus evading the use of God's name while still engaging in false oaths. The New Testament Lawgiver condemns this practice, instructing, “I say to you not to swear by any oath, neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by Jerusalem.” The term “any” (Greek) should be interpreted in conjunction with the subsequent examples, avoiding a broad interpretation that suggests swearing in any context is entirely forbidden, as the examples of oaths in both the Old and New Testaments demonstrate (see Rom. 1:9; 2 Cor. 1:23; Phil. 1:8; 1 Thess. 2:5, 10; Rev. 10:6). Therefore, in light of the command against oaths, the essence of the Lord's instruction is to avoid swearing by heaven, the earth, or Jerusalem in any circumstance. \\n\\nSome who interpret this passage dismiss any form of oaths interpret the Greek term σ῞λως in an overly broad manner. However, this appears to overlook the intended meaning, considering its various occurrences in the New Testament. For instance, in 1 Cor. 5:1, it conveys a sense of dependency, while in Matthew 6:7, it has a similar connotation. Additionally, the phrase from Matthew 15:20 reinforces that without resurrection, baptism is meaningless—showing that the term does not imply “in any way” or “at all.” Instead, it signifies something akin to “as it were,” signifying disregard. The speaker leaves some questions unanswered and shifts focus to others, as illustrated in Matthew 5:33. \\n\\nThe Lord establishes, “What is forbidden to the ancients, let it be forbidden; and yet, do not swear by heaven nor by earth,” indicating that swearing by these is not permitted. The third commandment thus remains intact, which forbids both the act and misuse of oaths without invalidating the oath itself—calling upon God as the witness to our promises and aid in fulfilling them. Nonetheless, He clearly prohibits swearing by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, and one’s own head. The Apostle states, “Men swear by the highest things” (Hebrews 6:16), and similarly, the Jews swore by these entities, considering them closely connected to the divine. The Lord affirms this, noting that heaven is God’s throne, the earth His footstool, and Jerusalem the city of the great King, where the divine presence is distinctly revealed along with His glory and authority.\\n\\nEven one’s head, while appearing personal, is under God’s authority and care. All these symbols embody God’s majesty and goodness for the faithful. However, the practice of making oaths by these elements emerged primarily in situations where individuals feared using God’s name; they created false or frivolous assurances. The Pharisaical hypocrisy attempted to evade the third commandment, suggesting that since God's name was not invoked, their declarations were justifiable—swearing by heaven, earth, and Jerusalem for shallow and deceitful purposes. The Lord condemns this Pharisaical subterfuge in His denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees found in Matthew 23:20-22, affirming that swearing by creation is a trait of such deceit. Instead of oaths, the Lord instructs that one’s word should be reliable, forbidding the simplistic use of oaths and declaring that the empty oaths invoked are inspired by malice—the evil one, the devil."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"You have heard it said to the ancients, \\"You shall not bear false witness, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.\\" But I tell you, do not take an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it serves as His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King; nor should you swear by your own head, for you cannot change a single hair from black to white. The Lord clearly understood the statutes set forth in the Law of Moses: “You shall not swear falsely by My name” (Lev. 19:12); and “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it” (Deut. 23:21). In His teaching, He did not intend to abolish the concept of vows but aimed to safeguard them from misuse.\\n\\nAs caution in behavior diminished and distrust grew among the Jewish people, mere verbal assurances became insufficient in their interactions. They frequently resorted to oaths in trivial and often inappropriate matters, using them as veils for deceit. In their trepidation of breaching the third commandment—which prohibits invoking the name of God in vain—they devised oaths devoid of mentioning God's name, swearing instead by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or even their own heads. To counteract these misuses, the Lord presented His directive: “You shall not take any oaths.” This commandment prohibits oaths in everyday insignificant exchanges where no one should be compelled to swear; a simple affirmation or denial suffices, for anything more comes from evil. The Savior condemned those oaths that do not involve God's name, as their authority is inherently tied to the sanctity of God's name, which must not be disregarded. Anyone who swears by heaven, earth, or Jerusalem and overlooks the omnipresence of God in these elements dishonors His name. Moreover, in swearing by one’s own head or life, one must not forget the Creator, without whom not even a single hair can fall from one’s head (Luke 21:18).\\n\\nOverall, the Lord taught that oaths should be viewed as sacred, cautioning against taking them lightly or diluting their significance through unreasonable alterations of their fundamental expression, which ought to invoke the name of God—who is omnipresent, all-knowing, and just (Deut. 6:13). The misuse of oaths was evident, as noted in the letter from the Apostle James to Jewish converts. The Holy Apostle exhorted them to control their speech, echoing the Lord’s teaching: “Above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or any other oath; let your yes be yes, and your no be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation” (James 5:12).\\n\\nHowever, interpreting the teachings of Christ and His apostle as an absolute ban on oaths would be inaccurate. Without nullifying the ancient laws regarding oaths (Deut. 6:13; 10:20), the Lord renewed their spirit, reminding us that God is the witness to every vow and that those who swear without invoking His name will face judgment. Jesus exemplified the approval of lawful and necessary oaths in both public and private life when He responded affirmatively to the high priest's question regarding oaths (Matt. 26:63-64).\\n\\nThe Old Testament contains numerous instances of oaths made by God Himself (Gen. 22:16; 26:3; Ps. 88:4, 5, 36; 131:11) as well as the oaths of the patriarchs, often associated with significant events (Gen. 14:22-23; 21:23; 26:28-31; 47:29-31; Deut. 4:26; Num. 14:9; 1 Sam. 24:23; 26:10; Ps. 118:106). An honest and sincere oath, made with good intentions and a commitment to fulfill what it asserts, does not contradict the words of the Lord. Therefore, it is not only permissible but indeed necessary in important circumstances, and when requested by legitimate authority, to engage in oaths as a means of affirmation."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Not by the head. The practice of swearing by one's head was commonplace in everyday life, much like how various false deities are prevalent among ordinary people. To swear by one's head was equivalent to swearing by one's life, indicating that one would forfeit their life if their words proved untrue. God, being the Source of all life, holds the authority to grant or withdraw it; thus, anyone who swears by life is invoking that which does not belong to them but rather to God, thereby swearing by God Himself. Not even one hair. This illustrates the limited control you possess over your life, as you cannot alter the color of a single hair; therefore, there is no need to swear by something that is not truly yours."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"An oath is a heartfelt and sincere expression of my spirit in the presence of the Ever-present and All-knowing God, who perceives every thought, intention, and the depths of my soul. I call upon Him as a witness before humanity, who cannot access the inner workings of my spirit. Thus, the significance of any oath relies fundamentally on its relationship to God, depending on His affirmation of its truth. Furthermore, someone who is deeply aware of God's omnipresence and omniscience, and senses their own righteousness intensely, may find a simple statement of affirmation or denial sufficient. Conversely, for those lacking such a disposition, their oaths hold no meaning or relevance, and invoking God's holy name becomes an act done carelessly and without reverence, amounting to hypocrisy. The absence of such conviction is often reflected in a person's attempts to appear more devout, as was the practice of the Pharisees. \\n\\nHowever, from this understanding of an oath's essence, it is clear that the form of an oath prescribed by the Lord—yes or no—does not imply that one either refrains from swearing altogether or swears only in that specified manner. Rather, this teaching reveals the true inner significance of the oath. For instance, the Apostle Paul swore in a different manner (Rom. 9:1; 10:1-2). The law regarding oaths, as articulated by Christ, combines the confirmation of a past truth with a promise made to God pertaining to the future, affirmed by God’s authority (Ex. 20:7; Lev. 19:12; Num. 30:3; Deut. 23:21-23). During Christ's time, the Jewish people swore by heaven, earth, and even their own heads to avoid misusing God's name. Nonetheless, Jesus pointed out that in all these forms, people essentially swear by the name of God Himself. Beyond mere calm assertions or denials, anything in this regard comes from the evil one. This can be understood to refer either to the evil present in the world (Rom. 12:9; 1 Jn. 5:19) or specifically to the devil (1 Jn. 3:8), as anyone committing sin is influenced by the devil. It may also be understood in both senses, as the evil in the world is rooted in the original sin associated with the devil’s work in humanity."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In unveiling this foundational truth, the Lord intentionally addressed and rectified several misconceptions that had emerged in the moral teachings of His time due to the interpretations of the law teachers. These individuals, driven by their own desires, either restricted or exaggerated the meanings of the commandments. Consequently, He clarified the authentic significance of the sixth, seventh, and third commandments. He dismissed erroneous understandings related to the acceptability of divorce and the concept of retribution, as well as the false notion, derived from certain Mosaic laws, that promotes enmity toward one’s adversaries. In this manner, the Lord illustrated the correct interpretation of the law and the character that a citizen of the kingdom of heaven ought to foster within themselves. It is not merely a grievous act that violates the law, but any absence of love; not just actual infidelity, but even lustful thoughts; not only breaking an oath, but every form of injustice that one is meant to uphold through an oath; and not only overtly unjust actions against others, but also an inhumane insistence on personal rights—these behaviors are incompatible with the law that the Messiah establishes for His realm. The defining characteristic of those who belong to His kingdom is an unconditional love for everyone, including enemies, and in this, as in all things, they are called to emulate the perfection of the Heavenly Father."}]}
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