Bits of Torah Truths – Torah Concept in the NT: Let Conversation be Yes or No – Episode 482
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Matthew 5:37
5:37 “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. (NASB)
James 5:12
5:12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. (NASB)
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Matthew 5:37
אַךְ תְּהֵא מִלַּתְכֶם ׳כֵּן׳, כֵּן; ׳לֹא׳, לֹא. יוֹתֵר מִזֶּה מִן הָרָע הוּא.
James 5:12
וְרֵאשִׁית כֹּל, אַחַי, אַל תִּשָּׁבְעוּ לֹא בַּשָּׁמַיִם וְלֹא בָּאָרֶץ וְלֹא כָּל שְׁבוּעָה אַחֶרֶת. יְהֵא הַ״כֵּן״ שֶׁלָּכֶם ״כֵּן״, וְהַ״לֹא״ שֶׁלָּכֶם ״לֹא״, פֶּן תִּפְּלוּ בִּידֵי הַדִּין.
The concept of “Let your conversation be yea, yea; nay, nay,” as expressed in Matthew 5:37 and James 5:12, emphasizes honesty and straightforwardness in speech. This finds strong parallels in the Torah. The Torah consistently upholds the principles of truthfulness, integrity, and the avoidance of deceitful or unnecessary oaths. For example, in Leviticus 19:11–12, Israel is commanded, “You shall not steal; neither deal falsely, neither lie to one another. And you shall not swear by my name falsely, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD.” This passage highlights the importance of honesty in dealings with others and the serious nature of swearing by God’s name. It aligns closely with the teaching in Matthew and James, which discourages making oaths lightly and instead calls for a simple affirmation or denial rooted in truth. Deuteronomy 23:21-23 addresses the making of vows. The text warns that if a person makes a vow to the LORD, they must fulfill it promptly, as failing to do so would result in sin. This emphasizes the weight and seriousness of one’s words and promises. In Numbers 30:2, the Torah reinforces the high value placed on integrity and the fulfillment of one’s words, underscoring the need for clarity and sincerity in speech. These parallels reveal the Torah’s consistent emphasis on truthfulness, sincerity, and a reverence for the power of words, which aligns deeply with Yeshua’s teaching about letting one’s yes mean yes and no mean no. This is how the NT teaches Torah, the Torah has not passed away!
