Sermon on the Mount: Vows/Oaths

UNTIED Podcast | Season 4, Episode 8 — Vows & Oaths Posted: May 28, 2026

In this episode, Garrett and Corey continue the Season 4 deep dive into Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, working through Matthew 5 and arriving at the fourth contrast Jesus draws between the religious traditions of His day and the heart of true righteousness.

After catching up on what's been happening in life, ministry, and (inevitably) the grill, the episode turns to Matthew 5:33–37 — Jesus' teaching on vows and oaths. Building on the thesis of Matthew 5:20, each contrast in this section of the Sermon raises the bar beyond external rule-keeping to matters of the heart. Here, Jesus challenges the culture of oath-making that had developed around the Law, where people used elaborate swearing formulas as loopholes for honesty. His instruction is straightforward: let your yes be yes, and your no be no.

To get there, the episode traces the full biblical arc on oaths, from Old Testament commands in Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers, to wisdom literature's warnings in Ecclesiastes, to the way Paul himself carefully qualifies his own speech in his letters. Jesus' own silence before the High Priest in Matthew 26 and the religious leaders' misuse of oath-taking in Matthew 23 are also examined.

Key themes: integrity of speech, the root of deception, what it means to take God's name seriously, and why Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard than oath-bound promises.

Scriptures referenced in this episode: Leviticus 19:12 · Deuteronomy 23:21 · Numbers 30:2 · Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 · Matthew 5:33–37 · Matthew 23:16–22 · Matthew 26:63–64 · 2 Corinthians 1:23–24 · Romans 1:9 · 1 Thessalonians 5:27 · Philippians 1:8 · 2 Timothy 4:1 · Exodus 22:9–10 · Numbers 5:19

(Earlier segments also reference: 1 Corinthians 8–10; Romans 15:1–2; Matthew 18; James 3:1–10; Job 31:1; 1 John 2:16, 3:15; John 8:4; 1 Corinthians 7:10–11; Matthew 19:1–10; Romans 7:1–8)

Have questions or comments? Garrett and Corey would love to hear from you — reach out directly. And if this episode was helpful, please like, follow, share, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

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