Verse 37
Jesus’ "yes, yes," and "no, no," is not the exact terminology He wanted His disciple to use. If He meant that, He would be doing just what He was correcting the rabbis for doing. Rather it means a simple yes or no. The NIV translation gives the sense: "Simply let your ’Yes’ be ’Yes,’ and your ’No,’ ’No.’" The "evil" at the end of the verse may either be a reference to the devil or it may mean that to go beyond Jesus’ teaching on this point involves evil.
Some very conscientious believers have taken Jesus’ words literally and have refused to take an oath of any kind, even in court. However, Jesus’ point was the importance of truthfulness. He probably would not have objected to the use of oaths as a formality in legal proceedings.
"They [oaths in court or oaths of political allegiance] should not be needed, but in practice they serve a remedial purpose in a world where the ethics of the kingdom of heaven are not always followed. Refusal to take a required oath can in such circumstances convey quite the wrong impression." [Note: France, The Gospel . . ., p. 216.]
The Bible records that God Himself swore, not because He sometimes lies but to impress His truthfulness on people (Genesis 9:9-11; Luke 1:73). Jesus testified under oath (Matthew 26:63-64), as did Paul (Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:10).
"It must be frankly admitted that here Jesus formally contravenes OT law: what it permits or commands (Deuteronomy 6:13), he forbids. But if his interpretation of the direction in which the law points is authoritative, then his teaching fulfills it." [Note: Carson, "Matthew," p. 154.]
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