(Tim) As I'm working on a sermon on Matthew 23:16-24, I'm again struck by how good Don Carson's commentary on Matthew (Expositor's Bible Commentary series) is. Typical of his ability to get to the heart of the matter is this comment on Jesus' third woe dealing with oaths found in verses 16-22. Note particularly his final statement:
Some writers have supposed that 5:33-37--which, formally at least, abolishes oaths--contradicts 23:20-22, which maintains that all oaths are binding but does not abolish them. In fact, however, verses 20-22 provide the rationale for 5:33-37. All oaths are in some way related to God. All are therefore binding, and thus evasive oaths are disallowed. On the other hand, the heart of the issue is telling the truth; and it is probably a new kind of casuistry that, failing to see this, insists that Jesus in 5:33-37 abolishes all oaths of every kind. (Carson, p. 479)
Normally, I wouldn't post such a simple thought and recommendation, but having drubbed Dr. Carson in a post earlier this week for his promotion of gender-neutered Bibles, it seemed right to say the good publicly.
