Matthew 5:33
New International Version
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’

New Living Translation
“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 .’

English Standard Version
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’

Berean Standard Bible
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

Berean Literal Bible
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'You shall not swear falsely, but you shall keep your oaths to the Lord.'

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
“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.’

New American Standard Bible
“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’

NASB 1995
“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’

NASB 1977
“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’

Legacy Standard Bible
“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’

Amplified Bible
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT YOU SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD [as a religious duty].’

Christian Standard Bible
“Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord.

American Standard Version
Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

Contemporary English Version
You know our ancestors were told, "Don't use the Lord's name to make a promise unless you are going to keep it."

English Revised Version
Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Never break your oath, but give to the Lord what you swore in an oath to give him.'

Good News Translation
"You have also heard that people were told in the past, 'Do not break your promise, but do what you have vowed to the Lord to do.'

International Standard Version
"Again, you have heard that it was told those who lived long ago, 'You must not swear an oath falsely,' but, 'You must fulfill your oaths to the Lord.'

Majority Standard Bible
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

NET Bible
"Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, 'Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.'

New Heart English Bible
"Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'Do not make false vows, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform to the Lord thy oaths:

Weymouth New Testament
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shalt perform thy vows to the Lord.'

World English Bible
“Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Again, you heard that it was said to the ancients: You will not swear falsely, but you will pay to the LORD your oaths;

Berean Literal Bible
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'You shall not swear falsely, but you shall keep your oaths to the Lord.'

Young's Literal Translation
'Again, ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not swear falsely, but thou shalt pay to the Lord thine oaths;

Smith's Literal Translation
Again, ye have heard, that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not swear a false oath, and thou shalt return to the Lord thine oaths.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, Thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.’

New American Bible
“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.’

New Revised Standard Version
“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Again you have heard it was said to them who were before you, that you shall not lie in your oaths, but entrust your oaths to the Lord.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Again you have heard that it was said to the ancients, “Do not lie in your oath, but you will fulfill to THE LORD JEHOVAH your oath.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: You shall not swear falsely, but shall pay to the Lord your vows.

Godbey New Testament
Again you have heard that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shall perform unto the Lord thine oaths.

Haweis New Testament
Again ye have heard that it was said to those of old, “Thou shalt not perjure thyself, but shalt perform to the Lord thine oaths:”

Mace New Testament
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said to the antients, "Thou shalt not for swear thy self, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths."

Weymouth New Testament
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shalt perform thy vows to the Lord.'

Worrell New Testament
"Again ye heard that it was said to the ancients, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths;"

Worsley New Testament
Again, ye have heard, that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Oaths and Vows
32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;…

Cross References
James 5:12
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

Leviticus 19:12
You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

Numbers 30:2
If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23
If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

Matthew 23:16-22
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? / And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ ...

Mark 7:10-13
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), / he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. ...

Hebrews 6:16
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

Zechariah 8:17
do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 4:2
and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”

Isaiah 48:1
“Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel—but not in truth or righteousness—

1 Timothy 1:10
for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

Romans 1:31
They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

2 Corinthians 1:17-20
When I planned this, did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say “Yes, yes” and also “No, no”? / But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” / For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths:

it hath.

Matthew 23:16
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Thou.

Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Leviticus 19:12
And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Numbers 30:2
If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Jump to Previous
Ago Ancients Break Effect False. Falsely Fulfill Heard Oath Oaths Perform Render Swear Sworn Thyself Time Vows
Jump to Next
Ago Ancients Break Effect False. Falsely Fulfill Heard Oath Oaths Perform Render Swear Sworn Thyself Time Vows
Matthew 5
1. Jesus' sermon on the mount:
3. The Beattitudes;
13. the salt of the earth;
14. the light of the world.
17. He came to fulfill the law.
21. What it is to kill;
27. to commit adultery;
33. to swear.
38. He exhorts to forgive wrong,
43. to love our enemies;
48. and to labor after perfection.














Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients
This phrase introduces a teaching that Jesus is about to address, which was part of the oral tradition passed down through generations. The word "again" suggests a continuation of a series of teachings where Jesus contrasts the traditional understanding with His authoritative interpretation. The phrase "you have heard" indicates the oral nature of the law's transmission, emphasizing the importance of listening and understanding. The "ancients" refers to the forefathers of the Jewish people, highlighting the long-standing nature of these teachings. In a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the respect for tradition while also preparing the audience for a deeper revelation of God's will through Christ.

Do not break your oath
This command reflects the Old Testament teachings found in passages like Numbers 30:2 and Deuteronomy 23:21, where making and keeping vows was a serious matter. The Greek word for "oath" (ὅρκος, horkos) implies a solemn promise or vow made before God. The emphasis here is on the integrity and faithfulness expected of God's people. In the historical context, oaths were a way to ensure trust and truthfulness in a society where written contracts were not common. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this phrase calls believers to a high standard of honesty and reliability, reflecting God's own faithfulness.

but fulfill your vows to the Lord
The phrase "fulfill your vows" emphasizes the completion and honoring of promises made, particularly those made to God. The Greek word for "fulfill" (ἀποδίδωμι, apodidōmi) conveys the idea of giving back or rendering what is due. This reflects the biblical principle that one's word, especially when given to God, is binding and sacred. The addition of "to the Lord" highlights the ultimate accountability to God for one's promises. In a conservative Christian context, this serves as a reminder that all actions and words are ultimately before God, and thus, integrity in speech and commitment is a reflection of one's relationship with Him.

(33) By them of old time.--Read, to them of old time, as before. Here, again, the reference is to the letter of the Law as taught by the Rabbis, who did not go beyond it to its wider spirit. To them the Third Commandment was simply a prohibition of perjury, as the Sixth was of murder, or the Seventh of adultery. They did not see that the holy name (Leviticus 19:12) might be profaned in other ways, even when it was not uttered; and they expressly or tacitly allowed (See Philo, De Special. Legg.) many forms of oath in which it was not named, as with the view of guarding it from desecration. Lastly, out of the many forms thus sanctioned (as here and in Matthew 23:16-22) they selected some as binding, and others as not binding, and thus by a casuistry at once subtle, irrational, and dishonest, tampered with men's sense of truthfulness.

Verses 33-37. - Oaths. Matthew only; but cf. Matthew 23:16-22. Verse 33. - By them of old time (ver. 21, note). Thou shalt not forswear thyself (οὐκ ἐπιορκήσεις). These two words are the substance of Leviticus 19:12, which itself (cf. Rashi, in lee.) includes a reference to the third commandment. To them our Lord joins but shalt perform, etc., which is the substance of Deuteronomy 23:23 (cf. Numbers 30:2). (On our Lord's utterance representing the current form of teaching about oaths, cf. ver. 21, note.) This current teaching was the logical deduction from the statements of the Law, and yet the Law had a higher aim.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Again,
Πάλιν (Palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.

you have heard
ἠκούσατε (ēkousate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

it was said
ἐρρέθη (errethē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2046: Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.

to the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ancients,
ἀρχαίοις (archaiois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 744: Original, primitive, ancient. From arche; original or primeval.

‘Do not break your oath,
ἐπιορκήσεις (epiorkēseis)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1964: To take an oath, swear falsely. From epiorkos; to commit perjury.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

fulfill
ἀποδώσεις (apodōseis)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

vows
ὅρκους (horkous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3727: An oath. From herkos; a limit, i.e. restraint.

to the
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.

Lord.’
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.


Links
Matthew 5:33 NIV
Matthew 5:33 NLT
Matthew 5:33 ESV
Matthew 5:33 NASB
Matthew 5:33 KJV

Matthew 5:33 BibleApps.com
Matthew 5:33 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 5:33 Chinese Bible
Matthew 5:33 French Bible
Matthew 5:33 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 5:33 Again you have heard that it was (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 5:32
Top of Page
Top of Page