Mt 5:33-37
Oaths: The purpose of an oath is to guarantee the truthfulness of what a person is about to say by calling upon God to be the person’s witness. A person takes an oath because of human weakness; that is, human beings have a tendency to lie. Matthew is interested in demonstrating that the human ability to lie cannot be counterbalanced by taking an oath. An oath does not guarantee truthfulness.
Oaths: The purpose of an oath is to guarantee the truthfulness of what a person is about to say by calling upon God to be the person’s witness. A person takes an oath because of human weakness; that is, human beings have a tendency to lie. Matthew is interested in demonstrating that the human ability to lie cannot be counterbalanced by taking an oath. An oath does not guarantee truthfulness.
Jesus directs his followers not to use oaths or swear at all. A relationship of truthfulness between two people cannot be guaranteed by God. A third, outside party is not needed for the community which observes righteousness. Therefore, the righteous person is always honest. If we mean “Yes,” that is what we must say. When we mean “No,” that is the response we must make.
If righteousness cannot be the guide for truthfulness between two people, then according to Matthew, nothing else can. No one is able to make a single hair white or black on his or her head by taking an oath. According to Jesus, oaths are not necessary in a community which practices righteousness.