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Matthew 5:33-37 Reasoning about oaths - yes no
by RS  admin@creationpie.org : 1024 x 640


1. Oaths and vows and wells
Verse routeJohn 4:11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? [kjv]
Verse routeλεγει αυτω κυριε ουτε αντλημα εχεις και το φρεαρ εστιν βαθυ ποθεν ουν εχεις το υδωρ το ζων [gnt]

In John 4, Jesus talks to the woman at the "well" at Ber-Sheba. The history and name of that well is related to "oaths" "vows", and the number "seven".

The ancient Greek word "φρέαρ""artificial well, tank, cistern". It is cognate with the Latin word "ferveo""be hot, burn, boil" and the English words "burn" and "brew".

The Greek word for "oath" is related to the Greek word for "shoulder".

Information sign More: Oaths and vows and wells

2. Matthew 5:33-37 Reasoning about oaths - yes no
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]

Verse route5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: [kjv]

Verse route5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [kjv]

Verse route5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]

Verse route5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. [kjv]

A reasoning about "oaths" and "swearing" is covered here. The "head" and "hairs" are covered separately.

Information sign More: Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no

3. Sermon on the Mount : Matthew 5:1-20
Groups 5:17. Not come to reside in the law
5:18. Jots and tittles of the law
5:19. Birdhouse rules
5:20. Birdhouse righteousness
7:21. Not everyone will enter
7:22 Many works will not count
7:23 I never knew you. Depart !
Adultery 1

[7 RC + 7 KP + 7 B + 7 + 7 = 35 ARMS, plus more]

Information sign More: Sermon on the Mount connections

4. Sermon on the Mount: verse model
SM 0

[spread spectrum communication]

Here are some more connections in the Sermon on the Mount. The 103 verses that form the body of the Sermon on the Mount form six sequences of seven ideas that match rather well the Kingdom Parables and the Seven Churches in Revelation. Some sequences are top-down backward-chaining while others are bottom-up forward-chaining.

Information sign More: Sermon on the Mount: verse model

5. Deceptive oath verses
SM 5
SM slice 4


Information sign More: Sermon on the Mount: verse model

6. Ephesus: sower
SM 1
SM slice 1
[non-verbal communication]
At each stage, there are both positive and negative aspects of the connections.

Information sign More: Matthew 13:3-23 First kingdom parable: sower
Information sign More: Revelation 2:1-7 Ephesus
Information sign More: Sermon on the Mount: verse model

7. Smyrna: weeds
SM 2
SM slice 2

Theme: The good and bad seeds start to grow.

At each stage, there are both positive and negative aspects of the connections.

Information sign More: Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 Second kingdom parable: fault-tolerant approach to the toleration paradox
Information sign More: Revelation 2:8-11 Smyrna
Information sign More: Sermon on the Mount: verse model

8. Pergamus: tree
SM 3
SM slice 3 Tree trunk

Theme: The good and bad seeds (two mutually exclusive choices, yes-yes no-no, etc.) become a tree with religious and secular power. Mammon represents confidence in one's own ability to do things. For example, take an oath thinking that one can fulfill the oath and that one is not being deceived by the oath taken.

At each stage, there are both positive and negative aspects of the connections.

Information sign More: Matthew 13:31-32 Third kingdom parable: mustard seeds and trees
Information sign More: Revelation 2:12-17 Pergamus
Information sign More: Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon
Information sign More: Sermon on the Mount: verse model

9. Matthew and Luke
66 Books
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 Jesus teaches people 
 2 Matthew writes Gospel 
 3 Luke writes Gospel 

Luke records and correctly reports what people remembered as to the meaning of what Jesus said, sometimes using other words. This often loses the additional meanings as recorded in Matthew.

Information sign More: Parables and secret codes used and explained by Jesus

10. Differences
Many of the differences between Matthew and Luke can be explained by the context in which each was written.

11. Stair analogy
Stepwise refinement - numberedA stair analogy can be used to help understand top-down design and bottom-up implementation. Identifying the goal is most important! You do not want to climb the wrong stairs to get to the wrong goal.
Implementation: Design: When it works, top-down tends to be better. Gospels:

12. Synoptic Gospels
Someone started the following and it got repeated enough times that people accept it without thinking. On just a little thought, it does not really make sense. Synoptic means "same" and "view" where the "same" is not an analogy but, rather, "together". Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the "synoptic" gospels.

The synoptic gospels are Matthew, Mark and Luke.

13. Synoptic Gospels
Matthew was a tax collector and is written to the Jews. The skills of a tax collector included remembering details and taking shorthand, so many believe that Matthew's discourses of what Jesus said are close to the actual words of Jesus. In writing to the Jews, Matthew provides many Old Testament prophecies of Jesus.

Mark is the writer of the Gospel as related to Mark by Peter for publication. Mark appears to add a few personal touches, as was usually done, and probably with the permission of Peter. The Gospel of Mark is often taken as a Gospel of servant-hood, laking a genealogy as in Matthew and Luke. My personal preference is that Peter thought like a scientist, making many observations, making conclusions based on those observations, and leaving out parts that were either assumed to have been known or not relevant for what he was trying to say.

Luke was a physician for Paul. Medical practice was not like we know it today. As a physician, one could often not do much to help the patient. What one could do is ask questions, listen, console, and do limited things to help. Such skills made for an excellent historian. Luke appears to have sought out, questioned, and collected stories that he could verify. If a story is in the other Gospels but not Luke, it does not mean they are untrue. It means that Luke either did not know about them or could not personally verify their validity.

John is sometimes considered a mystic. On the other hand, John approaches problems and explains them in what today is considered a top-down backward-chaining approach that is embodied in the computer/information science of today.

Information sign More: Same as in like or similar

14. Greek language translation
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 
 2 
 3 

The Bible dictionary used by pastors, etc. is often explained away as being a different Greek, the Koine Greek, that the people spoke, with special idioms of Greek. Changes are often attributed to: A problem arises when ancient, medieval and modern Greek, as one continuous language, have the same meaning for the same word but the Koine Greek definition is different and matches the Latin word used to translate that Greek word in the 4th century. This happens with many important words but not so much with less important words. Suspicion arises when the common Greek meaning makes more sense in the Bible text than the English word based on the Latin word.

[Amplified Bible, Berean Bible, Bible Hub]
[language ambiguity, preciseness of Greek language fallacy]

Information sign More: An introduction to Bible truth

15. In the beginning
Verse routeGenesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. [kjv]

Which verse at the beginning of John corresponds to Genesis 1:1.
Verse routeJohn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]
Verse route1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]
Verse route1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [kjv]
Verse route1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [kjv]



Information sign More: John 1:1-19 Top-down Gospel message
Information sign More: John 1:1-5 Four causes in a design and implementation model
Information sign More: Reflexive fixed points in the Bible

16. Genesis 1:1
   Genesis 1:1 
 All 
KJV: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Hebrew: בראשית ברא אלהים את השמים ואת הארץ׃
Greek: εν αρχη εποιησεν ο θεος τον ουρανον και την γην

17. Reflexive fixed point build
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 Program run 
 2 Program compile 
 3 Compiler compile 
 4 Self-compile 

Here is a review of the steps.

To achieve this reflexive fixed point (last step), one can use what is called an iterative boot-strap process.

The field of programming language theory is largely that of programs that write programs (including writing itself).

Information sign More: Reflexive fixed points in the Bible

18. Boot-strap formatter build
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 7 
 8 

Format formatter
A formatter is a program that takes text as input and outputs modified or transformed text as output (which could be code).

... more to be added ...

Information sign More: Reflexive fixed points in the Bible

19. John 1:1-2 Fixed point progression
Verse routeJohn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [kjv]
Verse route1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. [kjv]



Information sign More: Reflexive fixed points in the Bible

20. Thinking, saying, doing
Doing
What is the difference between "thinking" and "saying" and "doing"?
Matthew 5:33-37: Jesus expresses the distinction between "thinking", "saying" and "doing" in the "swearing", "oaths" and "yes yes no no" verses.
Matthew 5:38-42: Jesus then provides a more concrete example of how one might resolve differences between "thinking", "saying" and "doing" in the "turn the cheek", "garment separation", "walk a mile" and "loan" verses.
Matthew 5:43-48: Since this resolution may create "enemies", Jesus continues on "loving" "enemies".

As usual, translations from the Greek through the Latin serve to obscure these connections.

21. Matthew 5:37 Communication
Verse routeMatthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. [kjv]
Verse routeεστω δε ο λογος υμων ναι ναι ου ου το δε περισσον τουτων εκ του πονηρου εστιν [gnt]

Jeopardy game showLet us use a top-down backward-chaining approach to the oath verses. Jeopardy: What are the questions for which "yes" "yes" "no", "no" are the answers?

[non-verbal communication, hand gestures, Linus Torvalds]
From where might the "yes" "yes" "no" "no" originate? Perhaps these are answers to questions that Jesus is explicitly or implicitly asking. Where would be check? How about inspecting the previous verses to this verse?


22. Matthew 5:37 Translations
Verse routeMatthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. [kjv]
Verse routeεστω δε ο λογος υμων ναι ναι ου ου το δε περισσον τουτων εκ του πονηρου εστιν [gnt]

NIV (New International Version): All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

NLT (New Living Translation): Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Good News Translation: Just say 'Yes' or 'No'--anything else you say comes from the Evil One.

Berean Literal Bible: But let your statement 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and 'No,' 'No.' Anything more than these comes from evil.

Discuss: Are translations that add "more" "words" or "reasoning" "out" of the "evil"? Note that the Greek word means "reasoning" and need not mean what you "say".

23. Matthew 5:33 Setup again
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "πάλιν""again, once more" and can mean "back in time" and is related to the ancient Greek word "παλιά""old". The modern Greek word "πάλιν" (PA-leen) ≈ "again".

The English word "palindrome", from 1638, comes from "πάλιν""again, once more" and "δρόμος""race course" (the first part of dromedary) and means, literally, "running back again".

Information sign More: Running back again with the palindromes

The word "πάλιν""again, once more" can be a play on words with "πάλη""wrestling, fight" .

Information sign More: Ephesians 6:12 Wrestling with words

24. Matthew 5:31,33 Again
Verse routeMatthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: [kjv]
Verse routeερρεθη δε ος αν απολυση την γυναικα αυτου δοτω αυτη αποστασιον [gnt]

Verse route5:33 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

To understand what Jesus means by "again" one needs to go back (one or more verses) and see to what the "again" might refer. The phrase "it hath been said" appears two verses earlier in the same introductory part of the verse group.

Those verses had to do with "attacks" by someone (e.g. a "bird"), with "desire" to take advantage of someone (e.g., a "sheep")

Information sign More: Matthew 5:31-32 Cutout the adultery and divorce

25. Matthew 5:31,33 Two parts
Verse routeMatthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: [kjv]
Verse route5:33 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: [kjv]

There are two parts of each verse. In each verse, the first part is what was, in same way, ordained (from God). The second part is what was added to the law (as a horn).

verse first part second part
5:31 (do not) put away the wife give writing of divorce
5:33 do not swear oaths swear/perform oaths to the Lord

In the verses on "oaths", Jesus will say the first part (each of two parts). One then needs to add the second part (each of two parts). Non-verbal communication would could have made this clear during the discourse.

The "them" is ambiguous but not important here.

26. Strongs - ancients

27. Usage - ancients
*G744 *11 ἀρχαῖος (ar-khah'-yos) : from G746; original or primeval:--(them of) old (time).
Word usage per chapter Words: αρχαια αρχαιοις=2 αρχαιος=2 αρχαιου αρχαιω αρχαιων=4

Matthew 5:21 and 5:33 are the only verses in the GNT (Greek New Testament) that use the exact word Jesus uses for "of old time" as in "the ancients". The TR (Textus Receptus) adds this phrase in Matthew 5:27 which breaks the pattern.

28. Matthew 5:27 By them of old in the TR
Verse routeMatthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: [kjv]
Verse routeηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη ου μοιχευσεις [gnt]

The "by", "them" and "of old time" were added in the TR.

This commandment to not "commit adultery" stands by itself and is from God.

As often is the case, the changes in the TR tend to break the pattern or model established by other verses or the context of those verses.

Information sign More: Matthew 5:21 The killing judgment
Information sign More: Exodus 20:1-26 The Ten Commandments

29. Matthew 5:33 By them
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

* Masc.
Sing.
Masc.
Plural
Fem.
Sing.
Fem.
Plural
Neuter
Sing.
Neuter
Plural
Nom. οί αί τό τά
Gen. τοῦ τῶν τῆς τῶν τοῦ τῶν
Dat. τῷ τοῖς τῇ ταῖς τῷ τοῖς
Acc. τόν τούς τήν τάς τό τά
Who is meant by "them"?
The ancient Greek pronoun "τοῖς""them" in the dative case is plural and can be masculine or neuter as in "them"

Information sign More: Dative case in Greek

30. Matthew 5:33 By them ambiguity
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

The context determines whether it is "by them", "to them", "from them", "with them", etc. One can think of it as "with respect to them". If God had said this, it would probably be singular.

Who was saying the additional part?

31. Matthew 5:33 Unto the Lord
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

* Masc.
Sing.
Masc.
Plural
Fem.
Sing.
Fem.
Plural
Neuter
Sing.
Neuter
Plural
Nom. οί αί τό τά
Gen. τοῦ τῶν τῆς τῶν τοῦ τῶν
Dat. τῷ τοῖς τῇ ταῖς τῷ τοῖς
Acc. τόν τούς τήν τάς τό τά

The KJV (King James Version) translates as "unto the" "Lord" what, in the Greek, is the dative case of "with respect to the " "Lord".

32. Matthew 5:33 Unto the Lord
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

Discuss: Do religious establishments ever deceive people into thinking that they are doing something "unto the" "Lord" when, in reality, it is to their own personal benefit?

This reminds one of Daniel and Bel in the apocryphal book of Bel and the Dragon.

[corban]

Information sign More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ
Information sign More: Matthew 24: False Christs and all of it
Information sign More: Daniel: Bel

33. Daniel: Bel
The "Bel" part of the Apocryphal book "Bel and the dragon" is about how Daniel skillfully and tactfully demonstrates convincingly to his superior, the King, that he is being deceived by the religious elite who are using the required sacrifices to their own benefit.
Discuss: Daniel sprinkled dust on the floor so that the footprints of deception became obvious in the morning. Has Jesus sprinkled dust with what he said such that the footprints of the deception become obvious at a later time?

Information sign More: The idol Bel
Information sign More: Daniel: Bel

34. Matthew 5:21
Verse routeMatthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: [kjv]
Verse routeηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ου φονευσεις ος δ αν φονευση ενοχος εσται τη κρισει [gnt]

The first part of this verse is thou shalt not kill and comes directly from the Ten Commandments. The words translated as "in danger" are that of "liable for".

The second part is from somewhat convoluted arguments based on "the mark of Cain", the "cities of refuge", etc. In that sense, they are added "jots" as spots or opinions and/or "tittles" as horns or added rules (three verses earlier).

Information sign More: Exodus 20:1-26 The Ten Commandments
Information sign More: Matthew 5:18 The true reality of jots and tittles
Information sign More: Matthew 5:21 The killing judgment

35. Matthew 5:21,33 Of old time
Verse routeMatthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: [kjv]
Verse routeηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ου φονευσεις ος δ αν φονευση ενοχος εσται τη κρισει [gnt]


Verse route5:33 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

Matthew 5:21 and 5:33 are the only verses in the GNT that use the exact word Jesus uses for "of old time". Since Matthew 5:33 starts with "again", a word used infrequently by Jesus in Matthew, it appears that Jesus wants these two ideas connected.

In both verses, the additional part ofter the beginning part appears to be "jots" as spots or opinions and/or "tittles" as horns or added rules.

Information sign More: Matthew 5:18 The true reality of jots and tittles

36. Usage - pay
*G591 *48 ἀποδίδωμι (ap-od-eed'-o-mee) : from G575 and G1325; to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications):--deliver (again), give (again), (re-)pay(-ment be made), perform, recompense, render, requite, restore, reward, sell, yield.

The ancient Greek word "ἀποδίδωμι""give back, render what is due, return" and many other associated meanings. The Greek word translated as "pay" is that of, literally, "turning over" as in the saying "fork it over". This exact form of the word appears two times in the GNT. The Luke verse in what people remembered about what Jesus said as recorded by Matthew.

Verse routeMatthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. [kjv]
Verse routeαμην λεγω σοι ου μη εξελθης εκειθεν εως αν αποδως τον εσχατον κοδραντην [gnt]

Verse routeLuke 12:59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. [kjv]
Verse routeλεγω σοι ου μη εξελθης εκειθεν εως και το εσχατον λεπτον αποδως [gnt]



Information sign More: Matthew 5:25-26 Adversarial agreement

37. Matthew 5:33-34 Swearing and oaths
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]
Verse route5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: [kjv]
Verse routeεγω δε λεγω υμιν μη ομοσαι ολως μητε εν τω ουρανω οτι θρονος εστιν του θεου [gnt]

An "oath" is a "promise" to do something as in an "oath of office". The Hebrew word for "oath" is related to the word "seven". The Greek word for "oath" is related to the Greek words for "fence" and "shoulder".

The Greek word for "swear" is related to the Greek word for "shoulder" and can be a play on words with "Moses".

The ancient Greek word "ἀποδίδωμι""give back, render what is due, return" and many other associated meanings. It is here translated as "perform".

Information sign More: Oaths and vows and wells

38. Matthew 5:33 Fork over
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

Four quarters make a dollar Pizza 4 slices Corners

The Greek word translated as "perform" is the word used seven verses earlier as in "pay" as in the "last" "farthing" or "quarter" (Roman coin).

39. Review: Filling in the patterns
Reflexive kingdom kingdomed Bird Reflexive lightize light Fish Reflexive saltize salt Pig
1. preying
on others
1. candle of
the candlestick
2. swimming
in sin
2. light of
the world
3. blocking
the way
3. salt of
the earth

1. False life: 15: You are the kingdom of heaven/air. If the kingdom is a false kingdom, how shall the kingdom be kingdomed, with "negative consequences" (birds).
2. False truth: 14: You are the light of the world. If the light is false light, how shall the light be lighted. with "negative consequences" (fish).
3. False way: 13: You are the salt of the earth. If the salt is false salt, how shall the salt be salted, with "negative consequences" (pigs).

Let us elaborate the "negative consequences" of each verse for use as a model.

Information sign More: Matthew 5:16 Let the light of Jesus shine

40. Matthew 5:33 Two parts
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

Note that there are two parts to this setup distractor verse in which nothing new is said. Note that in part 1 you are not to "swear" an "oath" but yet, in part 2, the religious establishment will try to get you to "swear" an "oath" that is to their own benefit.

In the salt verses (13-16), Jesus started with a thought then, on successive verses, left part of the previous verse unstated - to be filled in.

Here, the second part that is included in this verse is omitted in the following phrases and needs to be filled in.

[deceptive oaths, church going against Jesus, creeds and oaths]

41. Matthew 5:33 Deceptive oaths
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]
Verse routeπαλιν ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη τοις αρχαιοις ουκ επιορκησεις αποδωσεις δε τω κυριω τους ορκους σου [gnt]

Will the birds (religious establishment) ever ask you to take an oath or promise to do things that Jesus said not to do.

One problem with oaths is that one can be deceived into an oath. The quandary is then how to get out of the oath without being on oath-breaker, etc.

Some pastors will deceive their followers (and perhaps themselves) by calling a set of oaths (to the church) a creed and getting the church followers to recite those oaths (as a creed).

Information sign More: Oaths hidden in a creed
Information sign More: Incredible creeds throughout history

42. Aristotle: Oaths and paradoxes
In his Sophistic Refutations, Aristotle uses, as an example, "oaths", to talk about what some 2,000 years later would become known as the Russell Paradox summarized as the following self-referential sentence. This sentence is false.

English: Nor if a man keeps his oath in this particular instance or in this particular respect, is he bound also to be a keeper of oaths (for he who swears that he will break his oath, and then breaks it, keeps this particular oath only; he is not a keeper of his oath)... (Barnes 1984, p. 307)
Greek: οὔτ´ εἰ εὐορκεῖ τόδε ἢ τῇδε, ἀνάγκη καὶ εὐορκεῖν ὁ γὰρ ὀμόσας ἐπιορκήσειν εὐορκεῖ ἐπιορκῶν τοῦτο μόνον, εὐορκεῖ δὲ οὔ. Aristotle: Sophistic Refutations [181a]
Aristotle points out some strange problems associated with the "swearing" and then breaking of "oaths" while being bound to an "oath".

Information sign More: Bertrand Russell
Information sign More: Paradoxes: Beyond expectation of a parallel glory
Information sign More: Self-referential paradoxes
Information sign More: Oaths hidden in a creed

43. Matthew 5:33-36 Oath problems
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]

Verse route5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: [kjv]

Verse route5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [kjv]

Verse route5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]

Some problems with oaths: In making decisions, one should take into consideration what one does not know. That is, a deception.

Discuss: Has any church throughout history ever required followers to go against what Jesus said? If so, provide some examples.

Information sign More: Oaths and vows and wells
Information sign More: Oaths hidden in a creed

44. Matthew 23:8 Rabbi
Verse routeMatthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. [kjv]
Verse routeυμεις δε μη κληθητε ραββι εις γαρ εστιν υμων ο διδασκαλος παντες δε υμεις αδελφοι εστε [gnt]

Since Jesus says not to do this, one should not be surprised that throughout history some have wanted to be "called" "Rabbi".

The word "Master" is that of "teacher". Who is that one "teacher"?

Information sign More: Matthew 23:1-39 Taking it to the birds

45. Matthew 23:9 Human tendency
Verse routeMatthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι πατερα μη καλεσητε υμων επι της γης εις γαρ εστιν υμων ο πατηρ ο ουρανιος [gnt]
Verse routepatremterramPatercaelis … [v]
Verse routepadretierraPadrecielo. [es]

Since Jesus says not to do this, one should not be surprised that throughout history some have wanted to be called "Father". The TR adds "which is in" instead of "heavenly Father".

There is a human tendency to take what the Bible says, and then pervert it or take it in an unintended way. Some churches have pastors that are addressed as "father" and act as an agent between the "Father" and the ordinary person.

When this is pointed out, the organization with that policy may go to great length to point out why what they are doing is not what is says not to do.

The Spanish word "padre""father" as in the Major League Baseball team name San Diego Padres.

46. Matthew 23:10 Teachers
Verse routeMatthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. [kjv]
Verse routeμηδε κληθητε καθηγηται οτι καθηγητης υμων εστιν εις ο χριστος [gnt]

Since Jesus says not to do this, one should not be surprised that throughout history some have wanted to be "called" "Master". The Greek word used here for "Master" is the modern Greek word for "professor".

This word only appears here in verse 10. It also appears back in verse 8 in the TR.

The ancient Greek word "καθηγέομαι""direct, guide, teach".

The modern Greek word "καθηγητής" (ka-thee-gee-TEES) ≈ "professor, language tutor".

Information sign More: Matthew 23:1-39 Taking it to the birds

47. Matthew Peacemaker review
Verse routeMatthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [kjv]
Verse routeμακαριοι οι ειρηνοποιοι οτι αυτοι υιοι θεου κληθησονται [gnt]
Verse routebeati pacificivocabuntur [v]

Chess piecesThe Greek word translated "blessed" means "happy" or "content".

[Pax Romana, anarchy vs. peace]
As such, this Beatitude is an ambiguous statement that can be taken in multiple ways.

Paraphrase: Those who make peace or appeasement (in this world) are happy/content with themselves as they are named or called (by the world) children of God.


Information sign More: Matthew 5:9 Making and appeasing peaceful peacemakers

48. Matthew 5:34 Heavenly thrones
Oaths 1 Jeopardy game show

Verse routeMatthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: [kjv]

To save space on the diagrams, the "birds" represent the religious establishment that has built a nest to reside in the law and takes advantage of the faithful believers.

The second part is omitted by Jesus and needs to be filled in.

49. Matthew 23:2 Sitting to teach
Verse routeMatthew 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: [kjv]
Verse routeλεγων επι της μωυσεως καθεδρας εκαθισαν οι γραμματεις και οι φαρισαιοι [gnt]

At the time, teachers usually sat to teach. An "endowed chair" in an academic school has that notion of "sitting" as a "teacher". A king or queen would rule from the "throne" in a sitting position.
The Latin phrase "ex cathedra""from out of the chair" is used for the Pope to make "infallible" pronouncements.

Information sign More: An errant look at Biblical inerrancy and infallibility
Information sign More: Matthew 23:1-39 Taking it to the birds
Information sign More: Matthew 23:1-4 Jesus fingers the talk about works

50. Matthew 5:22 Council
Verse routeMatthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. [kjv]
Verse routeεγω δε λεγω υμιν οτι πας ο οργιζομενος τω αδελφω αυτου ενοχος εσται τη κρισει ος δ αν ειπη τω αδελφω αυτου ρακα ενοχος εσται τω συνεδριω ος δ αν ειπη μωρε ενοχος εσται εις την γεενναν του πυρος [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "συνέδριον""council" as in an "advising body" or "governing body". This is a man-made organization. The word comes from two words and means, literally, "sitting together".
The last part of the Greek word for "council" as in "seat" is the source of the last part of the Latin phrase "ex cathedra""from out of the chair". This phrase is used to refer to the Pope making "infallible" pronouncements from "the out of the chair". This takes God's "throne" (12 verses away) and puts it under human power.

Information sign More: Matthew 5:22 The danger of brotherly anger

51. Matthew 5:35 Earthly footstools
Oaths 2

Verse routeMatthew 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [kjv]

The chapter and verse divisions were done in the Middle Ages. In this verse are two parts to the four part analogy. Each part needs to omitted part inferred and answered.

Information sign More: Chapter and verse divisions
Information sign More: A candle under the footstool

52. A candle under the footstool
Verse routeMatthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [kjv]
Verse routeουδε καιουσιν λυχνον και τιθεασιν αυτον υπο τον μοδιον αλλ επι την λυχνιαν και λαμπει πασιν τοις εν τη οικια [gnt]

Bushel basket Footstool
What is "under" a "bushel"? How might it relate to a "footstool"?

[magician putting the rabbit into the hat]
A play on words in Greek appears to be with "under a bushel" and "under the foot" as in "footstool". This topic appears 20 verses later in the Sermon on the Mount.
Verse route5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [kjv]
Verse routeμητε εν τη γη οτι υποποδιον εστιν των ποδων αυτου μητε εις ιεροσολυμα οτι πολις εστιν του μεγαλου βασιλεως [gnt]



Information sign More: A candle under the footstool

53. Matthew 5:35 Cities and rulers
Oaths 3

Verse routeMatthew 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [kjv]

Jerusalem (city of peace) of the great king is included.

The omitted part of Babylon (city of confusion) and the great queen or whore is supplied in Revelation and provides some more support for the "birds" as a model of false leaders.

Information sign More: Revelation 18:1-24 Cagey birds and the end of Babylon

54. Cities of the king and queen
The woman or queen is associated with Babylon.
Verse routeRevelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι η γυνη ην ειδες εστιν η πολις η μεγαλη η εχουσα βασιλειαν επι των βασιλεων της γης [gnt]

The king is associated with Jerusalem.
Verse routeMatthew 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [kjv]
Verse routeμητε εν τη γη οτι υποποδιον εστιν των ποδων αυτου μητε εις ιεροσολυμα οτι πολις εστιν του μεγαλου βασιλεως [gnt]

Revelation 17 and 18 help fill in the missing part of the verse in Matthew 5:35.

Jerusalem Babylon
city of peace city of confusion
great king great queen/whore



Information sign More: A mania for confusing commotions
Information sign More: Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no
Information sign More: Revelation 18:1-24 Cagey birds and the end of Babylon

55. Matthew 5:36 Heads and hairs
Oaths 4

Verse routeMatthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]

These same verses indicate that the "head" of yours is Jesus and that believers are the "hairs" which can be of two types.

56. Matthew 5:32 Cause
Verse routeMatthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. [kjv]
Verse routeεγω δε λεγω υμιν οτι πας ο απολυων την γυναικα αυτου παρεκτος λογου πορνειας ποιει αυτην μοιχευθηναι και και ος εαν απολελυμενην γαμηση μοιχαται [gnt]

There is a Greek word for "cause" or "reason" and that word is not used here. How does this change the meaning of the verse? (Greek word order is flexible) What is the difference between a "cause" and a "reasoning"? Can a false "leader", such as a "bird", use false "reasoning" to deceive the "woman" or "bride" or "church"? [think Balaam]

Information sign More: Numbers 22:1-41 The false prophet Balaam
Information sign More: Matthew 5:31-32 Cutout the adultery and divorce

57. Matthew 5:37 Unspoken reasoning
Verse routeMatthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. [kjv]
Verse routeεστω δε ο λογος υμων ναι ναι ου ου το δε περισσον τουτων εκ του πονηρου εστιν [gnt]

The KJV translates as "communication" the Greek word that has a primary definition of "reasoning". What is the primary application of what Jesus says in this verse? Discuss: Provide historical examples of where the church persecuted believers based on what they said that did not agree with their opinion.

58. Moral homily
Verse route1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. [kjv]
Verse routeμη πλανασθε φθειρουσιν ηθη χρηστα ομιλιαι κακαι [gnt]
Verse routeseduci corrumpunt mores bonos conloquia mala [v]


59. Reasoning summarization
Oaths 5

Summarize your overall reasoning for each request to agree (i.e. "oath").

The ancient Greek word "λόγος""rational explanation, reasoning". In context, it can mean "sentence", "word", etc. The meaning of "communication" is usually associated with "speaking" and "spoken words" as in "idle words".

If Jesus had meant "spoken words", he might have used the Greek words to indicate that (as he did elsewhere).

Information sign More: Matthew 12:30-37 Pardon the idle word counting

60. Matthew 5:37 Reasoning summarization
Oaths 6 Jeopardy game show

Jesus gives the answers "yes" "yes" "no" "no".What are the questions?

Verse routeMatthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. [kjv]

Additional English words are not needed for "yes" "yes" "no" "no" to make sense. Anything "more" (rationalizing, quibbling, etc.) is "out" of the "evil" or "oppression".

Information sign More: Evil training is toilsome work: no pain no gain
Information sign More: Matthew 4:1-11 Examining evil temptations

61. Oaths build
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62. Yes and no
Verse routeMatthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. [kjv]
Verse routeεστω δε ο λογος υμων ναι ναι ου ου το δε περισσον τουτων εκ του πονηρου εστιν [gnt]

The "nay" used in this verse appears to have to do more with ultimately "doing" than with just "saying". That "doing" may result from how one "thinks".

63. Birds
Oaths 6

A "bird" that wants you to "do" what you should not be "doing" might be called a "dodo" "bird".

If the "bird" wants your money, it might be called a "dough" "dough" "bird"?

Instead, one should "do" "do" good works.

If not, you might end up in big "doo-doo".

If you end up baptized by sprinkling, you might be "dew" what you are "due".

64. Matthew 5: Yes and no answers
Yes or no or elseThe words "yes" and "no" are associated with digital communication where a "bit" consists of two (and only two) distinct values.
Have you ever been asked to give a "yes" or "no" answer to a question? How many times do you give a "maybe" or are not very clear in your answer?

Do you minimize information entropy by providing definitive answers to questions?
Is no your answer to this question?


Information sign More: Nothing is something: actions
Information sign More: Do not be shy and embarrassed to turn away from entropy
Information sign More: Entropy function
Information sign More: Entropy

65. Matthew 5:37 Repetition
Verse routeMatthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. [kjv]
Verse routeεστω δε ο λογος υμων ναι ναι ου ου το δε περισσον τουτων εκ του πονηρου εστιν [gnt]


Yes or noThe repetition of the word "yes" "yes" or "no" "no" could be emphatic in that it should be definitely in one direction or the other, not in the middle, in addition to being a natural part of the sentence.

The modern Greek for "early morning" is, literally, "morning morning".


If you cannot determine whether to answer "yes" or "no", you may be "under the whether".

66. A digital world
We live in a digital world of 0 and 1, no and yes, off and on, quantum mechanics, etc.: ways of representing "information" (and "randomness").
0111011011001100101000000010011001010101001101000111101001000011 0010110101101010000011100100110100101111100000100001100010011110 0010001011110001001010110110010101101000010110111101001100000010 0100111000110111000011010100011111111010101111000010001100111010 1111000010010010101100101011110101101011001010001110110111000110 0000010101101010101010011010010111000111110110110100010001100110 1001100101100000101011100110000010101111010101000000011101000010 0100000111111010001011111001000100110110110110001011010010111001



Information sign More: A digital world: yes and no

67. Claude Shannon and information
Book: The mathematical theory of communication
Claude Shannon did his master's thesis in 1939. It was on how to build a working digital computer - none had ever been built before.
Claude Shannon, in the 1950's, used the term "information" to describe the statistical properties of data transmitted from one place to another. He was working for the telephone company AT&T at Bell Labs in order to improve the quality of phone calls. He founded the modern field of (statistical) information - he was not overly concerned with the meaning of the "data" that he called "information".

Previously, the term "information" was used as the verb "to inform". That is, one is "informed" that such and such is true - what we now call "information".

Information sign More: The full assurance of information
Information sign More: Claude Shannon

68. Matthew 5:37 Claude Shannon
Book: The mathematical theory of communication
The Information

Verse routeMatthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. [kjv]

The verse Matthew 5:37 was used on presentation slides by the founder of modern information theory, Claude Shannon, as he presented his new theory of information to interested groups.

Source: Gleick's book The Information: A history, a theory, a flood.

Information sign More: James Gleick
Information sign More: Claude Shannon

69. 2 Corinthians 1:17-19 Paul and yes-yes no-no
Verse route2 Corinthians 1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? [kjv]
Verse routeτουτο ουν βουλομενος μητι αρα τη ελαφρια εχρησαμην η α βουλευομαι κατα σαρκα βουλευομαι ινα η παρ εμοι το ναι ναι και το ου ου [gnt]
Verse route1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. [kjv]
Verse routeπιστος δε ο θεος οτι ο λογος ημων ο προς υμας ουκ εστιν ναι και ου [gnt]
Verse route1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. [kjv]
Verse routeο του θεου γαρ υιος χριστος ιησους ο εν υμιν δι ημων κηρυχθεις δι εμου και σιλουανου και τιμοθεου ουκ εγενετο ναι και ου αλλα ναι εν αυτω γεγονεν [gnt]

Paul appears to be referring to what Jesus said in three successive verses in 2 Corinthians 1:17-19. Paul adds "and" between ""yes"" "yes" and "no" "no". The wording of the last verse appears to agree with what Jesus was actually saying in Matthew 5 which can explain the added "and" in the previous two verses.

70. 2 Corinthians 1:17
 All 
KJV: When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
Greek: τουτο ουν βουλευομενος μη τι βουλομενος μητι αρα τη ελαφρια εχρησαμην η α βουλευομαι κατα σαρκα βουλευομαι ινα η παρ εμοι το ναι ναι και το ου ου

71. 2 Corinthians 1:18
 All 
KJV: But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
Greek: πιστος δε ο θεος οτι ο λογος ημων ο προς υμας ουκ εγενετο εστιν ναι και ου

72. 2 Corinthians 1:19
 All 
KJV: For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
Greek: ο γαρ του θεου γαρ υιος ιησους χριστος ιησους ο εν υμιν δι ημων κηρυχθεις δι εμου και σιλουανου και τιμοθεου ουκ εγενετο ναι και ου αλλα ναι εν αυτω γεγονεν

73. James 5:12 Yes yes and no
Verse routeJames 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. [kjv]
Verse routeπρο παντων δε αδελφοι μου μη ομνυετε μητε τον ουρανον μητε την γην μητε αλλον τινα ορκον ητω δε υμων το ναι ναι και το ου ου ινα μη υπο κρισιν πεσητε [gnt]

James appears to be referring to what Jesus said, but without any secondary or hidden meaning. James does not appear to understand what Jesus was really saying. There are many other logical (i.e., bad logic) and theological issues (i.e., not following from what Jesus said) in James.

Information sign More: James 4: Selected logical issues
Information sign More: James: Use of male-specific words
Information sign More: James 1: Interpretation and misinterpretation

74. James 5:12
   James 5:12 
 All 
KJV: But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Greek: προ παντων δε αδελφοι μου μη ομνυετε μητε τον ουρανον μητε την γην μητε αλλον τινα ορκον ητω δε υμων το ναι ναι και το ου ου ινα μη εις υποκρισιν υπο κρισιν πεσητε
Latin: ante omnia autem fratres mei nolite iurare neque per caelum neque per terram neque aliud quodcumque iuramentum sit autem vestrum est est non non uti non sub iudicio decidatis

75. Revelation 3:15-16 Zesty hot and frigid cold
Verse routeRevelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [kjv]
Verse routeοιδα σου τα εργα οτι ουτε ψυχρος ει ουτε ζεστος οφελον ψυχρος ης η ζεστος [gnt]
Verse routefrigiduscalidusfrigiduscalidus [v]
Verse route3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [kjv]
Verse routeουτως οτι χλιαρος ει και ουτε ζεστος ουτε ψυχρος μελλω σε εμεσαι εκ του στοματος μου [gnt]

Hot or cold or elseJesus would prefer that the church be either "hot" or "cold" rather than "lukewarm" (neither "hot" nor "cold", shown as "?"). In this case, both "hot" and "cold" are good (e.g., refreshing).
The ancient Greek word "ζεστός""seethed, boiled, hot" and is the source of the English word "zesty".

The ancient Greek word "ψυχρός""cold, frigid, cold-hearted, lifeless, ineffectual"

Is there a pattern to how "hot" and "cold" are used in the Bible as far as being "good", "bad", etc.?

Information sign More: Revelation 3:15-16 Zesty hot and frigid cold

76. Matthew 21:28-30
Verse routeMatthew 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. [kjv]
Verse route21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. [kjv]
Verse routeο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν εγω κυριεκαι ουκ απηλθεν [gnt]
Verse route21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. [kjv]
Verse route προσελθων δε τω δευτερω ετερω ειπεν ωσαυτως ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν ου θελω υστερον μεταμεληθεις απηλθεν [gnt]

Note: Some Greek versions switch the meaning of parts of two verses.

The ancient Greek word "μεταμέλεια""change of purpose, regret, repentance" which is the modern idea of the Latin-based "repent".

This word has to do with observed behavior and not inferred attitude.

Information sign More: Matthew 21:28-32 Will of the Father

77. Matthew 21:31-32 Conclusions
Verse routeMatthew 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. [kjv]
Verse routeτις εκ των δυο εποιησεν το θελημα του πατρος λεγουσιν ο υστερος λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους αμην λεγω υμιν οτι οι τελωναι και αι πορναι προαγουσιν υμας εις την βασιλειαν του θεου [gnt]

Is anyone going into the "Kingdom of God"?
Verse route21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. [kjv]
Verse routeηλθεν γαρ ιωαννης προς υμας εν οδω δικαιοσυνης και ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω οι δε τελωναι και αι πορναι επιστευσαν αυτω υμεις δε ιδοντες ουδε μετεμεληθητε υστερον του πιστευσαι αυτω [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "μεταμέλεια""change of purpose, regret, repentance" which is the modern idea of the Latin-based "repent". This word has to do with observed behavior and not inferred attitude.

Information sign More: Matthew 21:28-32 Will of the Father

78. Logical analysis: Build
Verse routeMatthew 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. [kjv]
Verse routeτις εκ των δυο εποιησεν το θελημα του πατρος λεγουσιν ο υστερος λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους αμην λεγω υμιν οτι οι τελωναι και αι πορναι προαγουσιν υμας εις την βασιλειαν του θεου [gnt]

Matthew uses "kingdom" of "God" rather than "kingdom" of "heaven/air". Is there a difference? If so, is it important?

Many attribute this saying to hyperbole or, essentially, an opinion. A logical analysis of this verse is that, with probability approaching certainty, no religious elite who mislead the faithful for their own greatness will enter the "kingdom" of "God".

In particular, if there is even one tax collector or harlot that does not get into the kingdom of God, then neither do any of the religious elite to which Jesus refers.

Information sign More: Matthew 11:12-14 Exploring the Kingdom of Heaven
Information sign More: Think after what you heard and repent
Information sign More: An opinion on hyperbole compared to code word models

79. Kingdom of heaven build
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 Groups 
 2 Line up 
 3 Enter 
 4 Stop 

Are any of man's "righteous" (without God) going in? How many "sparrows" will fall "without God"?

Information sign More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows
Information sign More: Think after what you heard and repent

80. Saying and doing build
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 7 

Jesus says that it is more important as to what you "do" than as to what you "say" or, by implication, "think".

An analysis of the decision tree shows that it is irrelevant what one "says". It is only important what one "does". This is in line with what Jesus says.

Discuss: How might this conclusion differ from various traditional and contemporary theological viewpoints?

81. Matthew 5:34-36 Comparison
Verse routeMatthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: [kjv]
Verse route5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [kjv]
Verse route5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]

The Greek word translated as "by" is the following. It is not clear if the "in" and/or "into" is important.

82. Comparison
Verse routeMatthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: [kjv]

Verse route5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [kjv]

Verse route5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]

Here is a loose connection between some verses.

Matthew 5
17. Not come to reside in the law
18. Jots and tittles of the law
19. Birdhouse rules
20. Birdhouse righteousness
Matthew 5
36. Head and hairs
35. Jerusalem and city
35. Earth and footstool
34. Heaven and throne
Matthew 13
sower and birds
weeds and enemy
tree and birds
leaven and woman


83. Sermon on the mount overview
Here are some patterns on the start and end of the Sermon on the Mount. To fit the pattern discovered so far, the part before the houses on rock and sand should have something about "thinking", "saying" and "doing".

84. Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no
Verse routeMatthew 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: [kjv]

Verse route5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: [kjv]

Verse route5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [kjv]

Verse route5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]

Verse route5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. [kjv]

Here we look at the "head" and the "hairs". The "oaths" and "swearing" are covered separately.


Information sign More: Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no

85. End of page

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