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Matthew 23:22

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 23:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Matthew 23:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19Ye blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20He therefore that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
24Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel!
25Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess.
← Matthew 23:21Matthew 23:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he that shall swear by heaven, etc.] As the Jews were wont to do in common, but did not look upon such an oath as obligatory on them; (See Gill on “<400534>Matthew 5:34”), though such an one sweareth by the throne of God; for heaven is God’s throne, where he sits, and, in an eminent manner, displays the glory of his majesty: and by him that sitteth thereon, by God himself. Thus swearing by anything that has any relation to God, is implicitly swearing by him; and therefore ought to be considered as binding, as if he was expressed in it; since an appeal cannot be made to things inanimate, nor indeed to any creature, but to God, the searcher of hearts.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The throne of God - Heaven is his throne, Matthew 5:34. It is so called as being the place where he sits in glory. Jesus says, here, that all who swear at all do, in fact, swear by God, or the oath is good for nothing. To swear by an altar, a gift, or a temple is of no force unless it be meant to appeal to God himself. The essential thing in an oath is calling God to witness our sincerity. If a real oath is taken, therefore, God is appealed to. If not it is foolish and wicked to swear by anything else. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“by the: Mat 5:34; Psa 11:4; Isa 66:1; Act 7:49; Rev 4:2, Rev 4:3 Matthew 23:23”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 23 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification