Matthew 23:22
And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀμνύει
he that shall swear
G3660
ὀμνύει
he that shall swear
Strong's:
G3660
Word #:
3 of 18
to swear, i.e., take (or declare on) oath
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανῷ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανῷ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
6 of 18
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ὀμνύει
he that shall swear
G3660
ὀμνύει
he that shall swear
Strong's:
G3660
Word #:
7 of 18
to swear, i.e., take (or declare on) oath
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θρόνῳ
the throne
G2362
θρόνῳ
the throne
Strong's:
G2362
Word #:
10 of 18
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθημένῳ
him that sitteth
G2521
καθημένῳ
him that sitteth
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
16 of 18
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
ἐπάνω
G1883
Cross References
Matthew 5:34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:Isaiah 66:1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?Psalms 11:4The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
Historical Context
First-century Judaism often substituted circumlocutions ('heaven,' 'the Name,' 'the Power') for God's name out of reverence for the Third Commandment. While this showed respect, it also enabled evasion—people could swear by 'heaven' while mentally reserving the right to break the oath, since they hadn't used God's name explicitly.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Jesus insist that all oaths ultimately invoke God, regardless of wording?
- How does simple integrity ('let your yes be yes') replace the need for elaborate oath systems?
- What does God's throne in heaven teach about His sovereign authority over all creation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon—Jesus's climactic conclusion: heaven (ouranos, οὐρανός) is God's throne (thronos tou theou, θρόνος τοῦ θεοῦ), and swearing by heaven invokes the One sitting on it (kathēmenō epanō autou, καθημένῳ ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ). No oath, however worded, escapes invoking God as witness and judge.
This echoes Jesus's earlier teaching: Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne (Matthew 5:34). The Pharisees thought substituting 'heaven' for 'God' created a loophole—Jesus declares this impossible. All reality belongs to God; invoking any part of creation invokes the Creator. The entire oath system collapses into simple integrity: speak truth always, needing no oaths to guarantee it (Matthew 5:37). This verse demolishes religious pretense—before God, there are no technicalities, only truth or lies.