Matthew 5:36
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Neither shall you swear by your head, because you can not make one hair white or black.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Neither shall you swear by your head, because you can not make one hair white or black.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
You may not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black.
Webster's Revision
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
World English Bible
Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Clarke's Matthew 5:36 Bible Commentary
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head - For these plain reasons:
1st. God commands thee not to do it.
2dly. Thou hast nothing which is thy own, and thou shouldst not pledge another's property.
3dly. It never did, and never can, answer any good purpose. And
4thly. Being a breach of the law of God, it is the way to everlasting misery.
Barnes's Matthew 5:36 Bible Commentary
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head - This was a common oath. The Gentiles also used this oath. To swear by the head was the same as to swear by the life; or to say, I will forfeit my life if what I say is not true. God is the Author of the life, and to swear by that, therefore, is the same as to swear by him.
Because thou canst not make one hair white or black - You have no control or right over your own life. You cannot even change one single hair. God has all that control; and it is therefore improper and profane to pledge what is God's gift and God's property; and it is the same as swearing by God himself.
Wesley's Matthew 5:36 Bible Commentary
5:36 For thou canst not make one hair white or black — Whereby it appears, that this also is not thine but God's.
