Matthew 23:22 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees
And he who swears by heaven
In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, oaths were a common practice, often used to affirm truthfulness. Swearing by heaven was seen as a way to avoid directly invoking God's name, which was considered sacred and not to be used lightly. However, Jesus emphasizes that heaven is not a separate entity but is intrinsically connected to God, thus making any oath by heaven an oath by God Himself. This reflects the Jewish understanding of heaven as God's dwelling place, as seen in Isaiah 66:1, where God declares, "Heaven is My throne."
swears by God’s throne
The throne of God symbolizes His sovereign rule and authority over all creation. In biblical imagery, the throne is often associated with God's majesty and judgment, as depicted in visions such as those in Isaiah 6:1 and Revelation 4:2-3. By swearing by God's throne, one is invoking the ultimate authority and acknowledging God's supreme power. This underscores the seriousness of making oaths and the importance of truthfulness, as God is the ultimate judge of all words and actions.
and by the One who sits on it.
This phrase directly points to God Himself, who is seated on the throne. It emphasizes the personal nature of God, who is not an abstract force but a sovereign being who actively rules and judges. The imagery of God sitting on the throne is consistent throughout Scripture, highlighting His eternal kingship and divine authority, as seen in Psalm 47:8, "God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne." This also connects to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ, who is described as sitting at the right hand of God, sharing in His authority and glory (Hebrews 1:3). The phrase serves as a reminder of the reverence due to God and the accountability of one's words before Him.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, addressing the scribes and Pharisees in a series of woes, highlighting their hypocrisy and misunderstanding of the law.
2. Scribes and Pharisees
Jewish religious leaders who are being criticized by Jesus for their legalism and lack of true understanding of God's commandments.
3. Heaven
The dwelling place of God, often used in Jewish culture as a way to refer to God indirectly.
4. God’s Throne
Symbolizes God's sovereign rule and authority over all creation.
5. The One who sits on it
Refers to God Himself, emphasizing His ultimate authority and presence.
Teaching Points
Understanding Authority
Recognize that swearing by heaven is not a trivial matter because it involves God's throne and His authority. Our words should reflect our respect for God's sovereignty.
Integrity in Speech
Jesus calls us to be people of integrity, where our 'yes' means 'yes' and our 'no' means 'no.' Avoid making oaths that invoke God's name or His creation lightly.
Reverence for God
This passage reminds us to hold a deep reverence for God and His dwelling place. Our actions and words should reflect our respect for His holiness.
Hypocrisy Warning
Like the Pharisees, we must guard against hypocrisy in our spiritual lives, ensuring that our external actions align with our internal beliefs and commitments.
God’s Sovereignty
Acknowledge God's ultimate authority in all aspects of life. Trust in His rule and submit to His will, knowing that He is the One who sits on the throne.
Verse 22. - By heaven. The Talmndists affirm that an oath "by heaven" or "by earth" was not binding, on the ground, probably, that these were mere creatures. Christ again dissipates such sophistries. To swear by the creature is virtually to swear by the Creator. A brute, inanimate thing cannot be witness to an oath; he alone can be appealed to who owns all. Thus we "kiss the book," calling God to witness our words. Christ had already given a lesson to his followers on this subject in the sermon on the mount (ch. Matthew 5:34-37). He inculcates true reverence, that fear and awe of God's dignity and God's presence which constrains a man to avoid all profaneness and carelessness in regard to things that are concerned with God. Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
he who
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
swears
ὀμόσας (omosas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3660: A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath.
by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
heaven
οὐρανῷ (ouranō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.
swears
ὀμνύει (omnyei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3660: A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath.
by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
throne
θρόνῳ (thronō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2362: From thrao; a stately seat; by implication, power or a potentate.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
the [One]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
who sits
καθημένῳ (kathēmenō)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.
on
ἐπάνω (epanō)
Preposition
Strong's 1883: From epi and ano; up above, i.e. Over or on.
it.
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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