Matthew 5:37 Meaning and Explanation
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus calls for simple, truthful speech: let yes mean yes and no mean no.
What Does Matthew 5:37 Mean?
Jesus gives the positive conclusion to his teaching on oaths. Let your speech be straightforward -- yes meaning yes, no meaning no. Anything beyond such plainness, used to bolster shaky words, springs from evil.
The ideal is a transparent integrity in which our simple word is utterly reliable. When people must reinforce their statements with oaths, it implies their ordinary speech cannot be trusted. Jesus calls his followers to be people whose plain yes and no are enough, because they are wholly truthful. Honest, uncomplicated speech reflects the faithfulness of God, in whom there is no shadow of deceit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 5:37
What does Matthew 5:37 mean?
Jesus calls for simple, truthful speech: let yes mean yes and no mean no.