Sermon on Mount, law and fulfillment, visible and hidden, vows and debts
Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
Matthew 5:33 You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD.
Matthew 5:33 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’
Again, you all have heard that it was proclaimed to those ancients, you should not nullify a vow. You will repay, however, to the Lord those vows of yours.
The basis of all law is the law of contract and the visible vow creates the invisible debt.
The introductory section "you have heard" is the fourth iteration of this catchphrase. It is repeated two more times. Such repetition is a form of humor but the phrase also uses an uncommon, exaggerated word, which is another form of humor. Note that there is no "it is written" here. This "proclaimed of the ancient" may be a joke about something taught by the Pharisees or others because the words used are not Old Testament Greek words. The verb translated as "said/told" is uncommon for Jesus to use except in this phrase. This verb has a more serious meaning, "to proclaim" or "to pronounce," and a lighter meaning "to be mentioned" and "to be pronounced." It is contrasted with the normal word for "tell" or "say" that Jesus uses to describe his viewpoint in the next verse.
This verse has no verb in the form of a command, that is, the imperative. Jesus is not quoting any OT commandments here. The word translated as "forswear" and "beak vows" is used uniquely in the NT here and doesn't appear in any common form in the OT. This is possibly why Jesus doesn't say "it is written" in the introduction. The source for this verse is not OT commands on taking the Lord's name in vain (Exd 20:7), swearing falsely, or swearing by the [Lord's] name falsely" (Lev 19:12), which uses the Greek word in the next verse. This verb is a form of the noun translate as "oaths/vows" discussed below.
The Greek word translated as "perform" means 'to give back." This idea has much more of a sense of debt in the Greek of the era than it does in English. Much of Jesus's focus on debts is lost in the way the NT is translated. What is being given back? This becomes more clear when we understand the word translated as "oath." This verb is not a command, but a statement about the future, a prophecy, if you like.
The Greek word translated as "oaths" and "vows" primarily means "the object upon which is sworn," only secondarily, it means "oath" or "vow." So, the idea is that, if you swear a vow on your eyes, for example, you must give your eyes back to the Lord if you nullify that vow. This word is used forty times in the OT. The idea is that Lord collects the debts created by swearing. This idea is important in understanding the following verses about taking oaths. This debt is owed to "the Lord" or "the Master" a word used to refer to God. It is in the form of an indirect object.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "have" means "should."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "was" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "hath" is not one of the common Greek words for said, but one that means "announce" or "mention."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shalt" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" is not the negative usually associated with prohibitions and commands.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "thyself" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "perform" should be something more like "given back."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "oaths" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "have" means "should."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "was" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "said" is not one of the common Greek words for said, but one that means "announce" or "mention."
- WF - Wrong Format -- The word translated as "Do" should be something more like "should" or "might."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" is not the negative usually associated with prohibitions and commands.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "but" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "fulfill" should be something more like "give back."
- WF - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "fulfill" is not a command or the present tense. It should be "you will give back."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "have made" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "have" means "should."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "also" is not a word usually translated as "also."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "our" means "the ones."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "were" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "told" means "announced."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "must" means "should."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" is not the negative usually associated with prohibitions and commands.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "but" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "must" should be"will."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "carry out" should be something more like "given back."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "make" doesn't exist in the source.
Again, -- The Greek word translated as "again" means "back," "again," and "contradiction." Here, it is a play on words meaning "again" but also referring to "pay back."
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
have -- (WW) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verbs here. However, this word is in the form indicating that it is likely, so a "should" or "might" should appear here.
heard -- "Heard" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand."
that - The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
hath -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "hath" in the Greek source. The verb could be the simple past.
said-- (CW) The verb translated as "said," means "to pronounce," "to mention," " "to announce," "to proclaim," and, in the passive as used here, "to be pronounced," "to be mentioned," "to be specified," "to be agreed," and "to be promised."
by -- This word "by" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use:. That preposition could be a "to," "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at" or "on," depending on the context.
them of -- The word translated as "them of" is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article.
old time, -- The word translated as "old time" is an adjective that means "beginning" or "source" as an adjective and, as a noun, "the ancients" or "the beginning." It is in the form that usually means "to the ancients," but which can mean "by the ancients" making them an instrument. It could also mean "from the beginning" but Christ uses a different word to express that idea.
Thou -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
shalt -- (CW) This helping verb "shalt" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
not -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. This is not the negative used with commands and prohibitions. This is proof that this clause here is a command or a request, but a statement.
forswear -- The Greek word translated as "forswear" specifically means "to swear falsely', "recant," or "renege" on a promise. Its meaning is literally "against an oath." Its root word is the same as the noun translated later in this verse as "oath." It is the negative verbal form of that word below. This word is only used by Jesus here.
thyself, -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "thyself" in the Greek source. The verb is not the middle voice, which is Greek is used to add "thyself."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
perform -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "perform" means 'give back." However, in referring to information, like an oath, it means "to explain" or "to give an account." It is in the future tense. This word is almost always translated as "pay" in the KJV NT.
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Lord -- This debt is owed to "the Lord" or "the Master" a word used to refer to God. It is in the form of an indirect object.
thine -- The word translated as "thine" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours." This is the singular you, not the plural.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
oaths: The Greek word means "the object upon which is sworn," "oath," "sworn compact," If you take an oath on your eyes, for example, you must give your eyes back to the Lord if you swear falsely. The Lord collects the debts created by swearing. This idea is important in understanding the following verses about taking oaths.
Again, -- The Greek word translated as "again" means "back," "again," and "contradiction." Here, it is a play on words meaning "again" but also referring to "pay back."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
have -- (WW) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verbs here. However, this word is in the form indicating that it is likely, so a "should" or "might" should appear here.
heard -- "Heard" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand."
that - The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
was-- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "was" in the Greek source. The verb could be the simple past.
said-- (CW) The verb translated as "said," means "to pronounce," "to mention," " "to announce," "to proclaim," and, in the passive as used here, "to be pronounced," "to be mentioned," "to be specified," "to be agreed," and "to be promised."
to -- This word "by" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use:. That preposition could be a "to," "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at" or "on," depending on the context.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article.
people long ago, -- The word translated as "people long ago," is an adjective that means "beginning" or "source" as an adjective and, as a noun, "the ancients" or "the beginning." It is in the form that usually means "to the ancients," but which can mean "by the ancients" making them an instrument. It could also mean "from the beginning" but Christ uses a different word to express that idea.
‘Do -- (WF) This helping verb is used to create commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement. The problem is that this verb is not in the form of a command but something that "should" or "might" happen.
not -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. This is not the negative used with commands and prohibitions. This is proof that this clause here is a command or a request, but a statement.
break your oath -- The Greek word translated as "break your oath " specifically means "to swear falsely', "recant," or "renege" on a promise. Its meaning is literally "against an oath." Its root word is the same as the noun translated later in this verse as "oath." It is the negative verbal form of that word below. This word is only used by Jesus here.
missing "but"-- (MW) The untranslated word "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.
fulfill -- (WW, WF) The Greek word translated as "perform" means 'to give back" or, more precisely "to give from." However, in referring to information, like an oath, it means "to explain" or "to give an account." It is in the future tense. This word is almost always translated as "pay" in the KJV NT. The form is not a command nor is it the present tense, "you will give back."
the-- The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
vows: The Greek word translated as "vows" means "the object upon which is sworn," "oath," "sworn compact," If you take an oath on your eyes, for example, you must give your eyes back to the Lord if you swear falsely. The Lord collects the debts created by swearing. This idea is important in understanding the following verses about taking oaths.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Lord -- This debt is owed to "the Lord" or "the Master" a word used to refer to God. It is in the form of an indirect object.
you -- The word translated as "your" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours." This is the singular you, not the plural.
have made.’ -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "have made" in the Greek source.
You -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
have -- (WW) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verbs here. However, this word is in the form indicating that it is likely, so a "should" or "might" should appear here.
also -- (CW) The word translated as "again" also "back," "again," and "contradiction." Here, it is a play on words meaning "again" but also referring to "pay back." This is not the word usually translated as "also."
heard -- "Heard" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand."
that - The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
our -- (WW) The word translated as "our" is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article.
ancestors -- The word translated as "ancestors " is an adjective that means "beginning" or "source" as an adjective and, as a noun, "the ancients" or "the beginning." It is in the form that usually means "to the ancients," but which can mean "by the ancients" making them an instrument. It could also mean "from the beginning" but Christ uses a different word to express that idea.
were -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "were" in the Greek source. The verb is not plural.
told, (WW) The verb translated as "told" means "to pronounce," "to mention," " "to announce," "to proclaim," and, in the passive as used here, "to be pronounced," "to be mentioned," "to be specified," "to be agreed," and "to be promised."
You -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb. Since this is singular,
must-- (WW) This helping verb "must" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
not -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. This is not the negative used with commands and prohibitions. This is proof that this clause here is a command or a request, but a statement.
break your vows -- The Greek word translated as "forswear" specifically means "to swear falsely', "recant," or "renege" on a promise. Its meaning is literally "against an oath." Its root word is the same as the noun translated later in this verse as "oath." It is the negative verbal form of that word below. This word is only used by Jesus here.
missing "but"-- (MW) The untranslated word "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.
must -- (WW) This helping verb "must" should be something more like "will" to indicate that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
carry out -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "perform" means 'to give back" or, more precisely "to give from." However, in referring to information, like an oath, it means "to explain" or "to give an account." It is in the future tense. This word is almost always translated as "pay" in the KJV NT.
the-- The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
vows: The Greek word translated as "vows" means "the object upon which is sworn," "oath," "sworn compact," If you take an oath on your eyes, for example, you must give your eyes back to the Lord if you swear falsely. The Lord collects the debts created by swearing. This idea is important in understanding the following verses about taking oaths.
you -- The word translated as "you " is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours." This is the singular you, not the plural.
make -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "make" in the Greek source.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
LORD -- This debt is owed to "the Lord" or "the Master" a word used to refer to God. It is in the form of an indirect object.
Πάλιν (adv) "Again" is from palin, which means "back," "backward," "contradiction," "again," "once more," and "in turn."
ἠκούσατε (2nd pl aor ind act ) "Ye have heard" is from akouo, which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand."
ὅτι (conj) "That" is from hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
ἐρρέθη (3rd sg aor ind pass) "It hath been said," is from ero, which means "to speak," "to say," "to pronounce," "to tell," "to let suffice," "to announce," "to proclaim," (in passive) "to be pronounced," "to be mentioned," "to be specified," "to be agreed," and "to be promised."
τοῖς (article pl masc dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which, when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "those" is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
ἀρχαίοις (adj pl masc dat) "By them of old time" is from archaios, which means as an adjective means "from the beginning," "from the source," "ancient," "simple," "silly," "former," "the Ancients [of people]," "anciently [adverb], and "the principle [in a loan],"
Οὐκ (adv) "Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ἐπιορκήσεις, [1 verse](2nd sg aor subj act ) "Thou shalt...forswear thyself," is from epiorkeo, which means "to swear falsely," and "to forswear oneself." To "forswear" means "to recant" or "to renege" on a promise. It is the negative verbal form of the word below used for "oaths" below.
“ἀποδώσεις” (2nd sg fut ind act) "shalt perform" is from apodidomi which means "to give back," "to restore," and "to deliver." It also means to "give an account" of a thing, "explain," or "interpret." It has the economic sense of "to sell" or "to give something for one's own profit." It begins with apo the preposition of separation and origin, the idea of "from" in English, didômi which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," and "to describe."
δὲ (partic) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so").
“τῷ (article sg masc dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κυρίῳ (noun sg masc dat) "The Lord" is from kurios, which means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."
τοὺς (article pl masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). --
ὅρκους” (noun pl masc acc) "Oaths" is from horkos, which means "the object by which one swears," "oath," "sworn compact," and Horkos, the divinity who punishes the perjurer. This word is used to translated the word that means "oath" or "curse," shĕbuw`ah or shevuwah - שְׁבוּעָה
“σου.” (adj sg masc gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
The word "again" also means "back" as in the word "give back" which is a keyword here.
“Divorce is the only vow a man can break simply by paying a lawyer to write a note,” Ulla called out bitterly.
The Nazarene nodded sadly in agreement.
Her comment, however, aroused the Distinguished, especially the lawyers among them.
“Without our overseeing the law,” Baram, the Distinguished lawyer, squeaked, “no one would guarantee any vows, marriage or otherwise!”
He shouted not to Ulla, whom he probably judged to be far beneath him, but to the Nazarene.
The Master smiled at this challenge. The objection of the Distinguished seemed to cheer him out of his more serious mood. He regained a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
“Again, you have all heard,” he started, resuming his lighthearted manner, “that it is proclaimed by those ancients.”
And he pretended to unroll another scroll.
“You should not nullify a vow!” he piped in his comical old man’s voice, now pitch a tone higher to copy the voice of Baram.
He got us laughing again just that easily.
Then he wagged his finger at the audience. “You each will repay, however, to the Lord...”
The fingers of his left hand tapped firmly on his right palm. This is a hand sign for paying money among the Judeans.
“Those vows of yours!” he finished.
This line and his gesture drew both laughter and groans from the crowd.