Matthew 5:37 - Forerunner Commentary

Matthew 5:37

35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of ^athe great King.

36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.

37 ^aBut let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Go the Second Mile

38 “You have heard that it was said, ^a‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

39 ^aBut I tell you not to resist an evil person. ^bBut whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.

41 And whoever ^acompels you to go one mile, go with him two.

42 Give to him who asks you, and ^afrom him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ^a‘You shall love your neighbor ^band hate your enemy.’

44 But I say to you, ^alove your enemies, bless those who curse you, ^bdo good to those who hate you, and pray ^cfor those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for ^aHe makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 ^aFor if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the² tax collectors do so?

48 ^aTherefore you shall be perfect, just ^bas your Father in heaven is perfect.

Verse Comparison: Matthew 5:37

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American Standard Version
But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil `one'.

Amplified® Bible
Let your Yes be simply Yes, and your No be simply No; anything more than that comes from the evil one.

Contemporary English Version
When you make a promise, say only "Yes" or "No." Anything else comes from the devil.

Darby English Version
But let your word be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; but what is more than these is from evil.

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

International Standard Version
Instead, let your word be 'Yes' for 'Yes' and 'No' for 'No.' Anything more than that comes from the evil one."

King James Version
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

New American Standard Bible
"But let your statement be, `Yes, yes' {or} `No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil.

New International Version
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

New King James Version
But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
"But let your statement consist of, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these derives from an evil intent.

Revised Standard Version
Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

Young's Literal Translation
but let your word be, Yes, Yes, No, No, and that which is more than these is of the evil.

New English Translation
Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.¹

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