but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;
Verses 34,35. Swear not at all. That is, in the manner which he proceeds to specify. Swear not in any of the common and profane ways customary at that time. By Heaven; for it is God's throne. To swear by that was, if it meant anything, to swear by Him that sitteth thereon, . The earth; for it is his footstool. Swearing by that, therefore, is really swearing by God.
But I say unto you, swear not at all,.... Which must not be understood in the strictest sense, as though it was not lawful to take an oath upon any occasion, in an affair of moment, in a solemn serious manner, and in the name of God; which may be safely done: but of rash swearing, about trivial matters, and by the creatures; as appears...
I came not to sweep away the foundation of the Old Testament but to fulfill it, establish it, unfold it, embody it in living form. Fear not that I will subvert God's living oracles; rather, enshrine them in reverence, affection, and character.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 5:17-48