Matthew 23:20

Berber Morocco and Algeria - Tachelheit Bible (RBD) (aåaras n-tudrt - injil l-lmasiæ - løhd l-ljdid lli-iskr rbbi å-gras d-bnadm)

wanna iggullan s-uẓru n-tġrsi, s-uẓru a-s-iggulla ula s-kullu ma-fllas-illan.

What Does This Mean?

In Matthew 23:20, Jesus talks about making oaths by the altar and suggests that doing so means swearing not just by the altar itself but also by everything placed on it. This highlights the seriousness of vows made in sacred places.

Explained for Children

Imagine you promise something while holding a special toy. It's like saying you're promising with both the toy and all your other toys too! Jesus is reminding us that when we make promises, they are really important.

Historical Background

Matthew was written around 80-90 AD by an anonymous author traditionally identified as Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples. This verse appears in a context where Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and misuse of religion's symbols and rituals. The audience was likely early Christians and Jewish communities.

Living It Out Today

Think about when you make promises today - at work or with friends. Just as swearing by an altar includes everything on it, your word should be taken seriously in every situation, reflecting its full weight.

Topics

• hypocrisy
• oaths
• seriousness of promises
• religious practices
• Jesus' teachings
• altar

Related Verses

• Exodus 20:7
• James 5:12
• Leviticus 19:12
• Matthew 5:34-36
• Ecclesiastes 5:4

Frequently Asked Questions

Is swearing by an altar still relevant today?

While we don't have literal altars in the same way as ancient times, the principle behind it is still relevant. Swearing or making promises should be done with great care and seriousness.

Can this verse apply to digital oaths or vows made online?

Yes, while the context may differ, the principle of being truthful and serious about one's word remains important in all forms of communication, including digital ones.

What does Jesus teach us about making promises?

Jesus teaches that our words should be straightforward - yes means yes and no means no. Making casual oaths or vows can lead to hypocrisy and a lack of seriousness in keeping one's word.

How did the Jewish people view swearing by an altar?

For ancient Jews, swearing by the altar was a serious matter as it involved making a vow in God's presence. It carried significant spiritual weight and consequences for breaking such vows.