Matthew 23:22

22 And he who takes an oath by heaven, takes it by the seat of God, and by him who is seated on it.

Matthew 23:22 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 23:22

And he that shall swear by heaven
As the Jews were wont to do in common, but did not look upon such an oath as obligatory on them; (See Gill on 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.

Matthew 23:22 In-Context

20 He, then, who takes an oath by the altar, takes it by the altar and by all things on it.

21 And he who takes an oath by the Temple, takes it by the Temple and by him whose house it is

22 And he who takes an oath by heaven, takes it by the seat of God, and by him who is seated on it.

23 A curse is on you, scribes and Pharisees, false ones! for you make men give a tenth of all sorts of sweet-smelling plants, but you give no thought to the more important things of the law, righteousness, and mercy, and faith; but it is right for you to do these, and not to let the others be undone.

24 You blind guides, who take out a fly from your drink, but make no trouble over a camel.