Matthew 5:32-42

32 1But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and 2whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

33 "Again 3you have heard that it was said to those of old, 4'You shall not swear falsely, but 5shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'
34 But I say to you, 6Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for 7it is the throne of God,
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is 8the city of the great King.
36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
37 Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; 9anything more than this comes from evil.[a]

Retaliation

38 10"You have heard that it was said, 11'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I say to you, 12Do not resist the one who is evil. But 13if anyone 14slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And 15if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[b] let him have your cloak as well.
41 And if anyone 16forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 17Give to the one who begs from you, and 18do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Cross References 18

  • 1. Matthew 19:9; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; [1 Corinthians 7:10, 11]
  • 2. Romans 7:3
  • 3. [See ver. 27 above]
  • 4. Leviticus 19:12; 1 Timothy 1:10
  • 5. Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4
  • 6. James 5:12
  • 7. Matthew 23:22; Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:49; See Revelation 4:2
  • 8. Psalms 48:2
  • 9. [Proverbs 10:19]
  • 10. [See ver. 27 above]
  • 11. Cited from Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21
  • 12. 1 Peter 2:23
  • 13. For ver. 39-42, see Luke 6:29, 30; [Romans 12:17]
  • 14. Matthew 26:67; Isaiah 50:6; Lamentations 3:30
  • 15. [See ver. 39 above]
  • 16. Matthew 27:32
  • 17. Psalms 37:21; Proverbs 21:26
  • 18. Deuteronomy 15:8; Psalms 37:26; Psalms 112:5; Luke 6:34, 35

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or the evil one
  • [b]. Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.