BibleProject | Sermon on the MountSample

Wisdom Within Laws About Oaths, Retaliation, and Enemy Love

Today, we’ll explore the last three of the six case studies Jesus offers in Matthew 5:33-48 on how to live with a greater righteousness, according to the Torah and Prophets. In these case studies, Jesus casts a radical vision for seeking peace in the midst of conflict and repairing even the most difficult relationships.

Similar to the first three case studies, Jesus again quotes from Israel’s law and reveals its deeper wisdom, concluding this section of the sermon with the concept of becoming complete. The goal, he says, is to become “whole, just as your Father in the skies is whole” (Matthew 5:48).

Let’s watch episode 5, Wisdom Within Laws About Oaths, Retaliation, and Enemy Love.

Video Reflection Questions:

1. Why does Jesus tell his followers to never swear oaths?
2. Referring to retaliation and revenge, Jesus says, “don’t pay back an evil person,” or “do not resist-in-kind an evil person.” How could we summarize what he encourages his followers to do instead (see Matt. 5:37-42)?
3. According to Jesus, why is it not enough to simply tolerate our enemies? Why is it better to love them? (And what is the difference?)
4. Jesus commands his followers to love their enemies because God—who is good to everyone, regardless of their behavior—also loves their enemies. What are some ways that God shows loving-kindness to all people, and how can this inspire us to live with an impartial love for all people?
5. How does making peace and loving others in these ways make us “whole” or “complete?”

Let’s read Matthew 5:33-48. Below is the translation from the BibleProject Scholarship team, and we encourage you to read this passage in other translations as well.

33 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients,

“Do not break your oath,

but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.”

34 And I tell you,

do not swear an oath at all:

not by the sky,

because it is God’s throne;

35 not by the land,

because it is his footstool;

not by Jerusalem,

because it is the city of the Great King.

36 And do not swear by your head,

for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

37 But let your word be “yes, yes” or “no, no.”

Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

38 You have heard that it was said,

“An eye in recompense for an eye, and a tooth in recompense for a tooth.”

39 “And I say to you,

do not resist-in-kind an evil person,

but whoever slaps you on your right cheek,

turn the other to him also.

40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt,

let him have your coat also.

41 Whoever forces you to go one mile,

go with him two.

42 To the one who asks of you,

give.

And the one who wants to borrow from you,

don’t turn away.

43 You have heard that it was said,

“You will love your neighbor

and you will hate your enemy.”

44 And I say to you,

love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you.

45 so that you may be children of your Father who is in the skies.

For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,

and he sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

46 For if you love those who love you,

what reward do you have?

Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 “If you greet only your brothers,

what more are you doing than others?

Do not even the nations do the same?

48 Therefore you are to be whole,

as your Father in the skies is whole.