or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Perjury is impiety toward God and injustice toward man combined; it renders a man obnoxious to divine wrath. The ancients understood this so well they turned their swearing formulas into curses upon themselves, wishing God's judgment if they lied. This shows how deeply nations have always felt that God must curse the false swearer, if He be God.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 5:33-37
Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool,.... That the Jews were wont to swear by the earth, is clear from the above mentioned instances; and is condemned by Christ for this reason, because the earth is God's "footstool", referring, as before, to Isa 66:1 on which he treads; and where he also manifests forth his glory, and is a considerable part of the work of his hands.
Verse 35. (b) "the city of the great King" .