Matthew 23:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus extends the truth to heaven itself: to swear by heaven is to swear by God's throne and by God who sits upon it.
What Does Matthew 23:22 Mean?
Reaching beyond the temple, Jesus addresses oaths made by heaven, which some may have thought a safely indirect way of swearing. But heaven is God's throne, and the throne is inseparable from the One enthroned. No appeal to heaven escapes reference to God himself.
This completes Jesus' dismantling of the whole evasive system. There is no neutral ground, no sacred thing that does not lead back to God. The point is liberating rather than burdensome: because God hears every word, his people can live in transparent honesty, needing no oaths to prop up their truthfulness. Jesus would teach elsewhere to let one's yes be yes. To walk before God is to speak as those always in his presence, simply and truly.
Matthew 23:22 in the Original Language
thronos (θρόνος), 'throne' -- a royal seat of authority, here the throne of God himself in heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 23:22
What does Matthew 23:22 mean?
Jesus extends the truth to heaven itself: to swear by heaven is to swear by God's throne and by God who sits upon it.