The BEMA Podcast Episode 443: Talmudic Matthew — Oaths

Release Date: March 27, 2025
Host/Author: BEMA Discipleship
Hosts: Brent Billings and El Grower Fricks

Introduction

In Episode 443 of The BEMA Podcast, hosted by Brent Billings and El Grower Fricks, the discussion delves into Jesus's teachings on oaths as presented in the Sermon on the Mount, specifically focusing on Matthew 5:33-37. The hosts aim to unpack the historical and cultural contexts surrounding oaths in Jewish and Greco-Roman societies, contrasting them with Jesus's radical instructions to His followers.

Overview of Matthew 5:33-37

Brent initiates the discussion by reading Matthew 5:33-37:

"You have heard that it was said to the people of old, 'Do not swear falsely, but fulfill your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, because it is the throne of God, or by the earth, because it is the footstool of his feet, or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head because you are not able to make one hair white or black. But let your statement be yes, yes; no, no. And anything beyond these is from the evil one." (00:27)

Rabbinic Jewish Context on Oaths

El Grower Fricks emphasizes the importance of understanding Jesus's teachings within the rabbinic Jewish context:

"We've been looking through the Sermon on the Mount, looking at these teachings of Jesus and popping them open to examine the rabbinic conversation, which was Jesus's milieu through the Talmud, and seeing what differences and what similarities we can find in the teachings of Jesus." (01:24)

The hosts explore the prevalent use of oaths in Jewish tradition, as evidenced by numerous examples in the Talmud and other rabbinic literature. They note that oaths were commonly tied to various entities such as heaven, earth, Jerusalem, and personal attributes like one's head, reflecting a deep intertwining of oaths with everyday life and religious practice.

Greco-Roman Oaths: Practices and Significance

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the Greco-Roman practices of oath-making. El explains the typical components of a Hellenistic oath:

1. Animal Sacrifice or Libation: The process often began with the sacrifice of an animal or the pouring out of a libation.
2. Invocation of a God: The oath-taker would call upon a specific deity, serving as a witness and protector of the oath.
3. Inclusion of Curses: The oath concluded with curses detailing the consequences of breaking the oath, thereby ensuring its solemnity.

Brent draws parallels with ancient texts, citing a passage from Homer's Iliad to illustrate the gravity and ritualistic nature of oaths:

"He spoke and cut the lamb's throats with the pitiless bronze... Then they drew wine from the bowl into the cups, poured it out and made prayer to the gods..." (14:47)

Jesus's Radical Teaching Against Oaths

The crux of the episode centers on Jesus's directive to forgo oath-taking altogether. El contemplates why Jesus would present such a stark departure from established norms:

"Jesus is saying, don't even get into the place where you need to resolve things via oath in the first place. Don't let your relationship degrade with another person enough through failures of integrity..." (09:00)

They argue that Jesus's instruction is not merely a prohibition but a call to cultivate a lifestyle of unwavering integrity. By eliminating the need for oaths, individuals are encouraged to embody trustworthiness without the crutch of binding promises.

Scriptural References: Isaiah 66:1-4

To contextualize Jesus's words, the hosts reference Isaiah 66:1-4, noting similarities in language and themes:

"Thus says Adonai, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool for my feet... But I look to this one, to the humble and the contrite of spirit..." (19:05)

They suggest that Jesus may be drawing from Isaiah to subtly critique Greco-Roman oath practices, aligning His message with Jewish prophetic traditions while addressing Hellenistic influences.

Political and Cultural Implications

Brent and El explore the political undertones of Jesus's teaching, particularly in relation to loyalty oaths to the Roman Emperor. They discuss how such oaths were not only religious but also political statements of allegiance, often demanding worship of the emperor as a divine figure.

El posits that Jesus's advice to refrain from oaths could serve as a form of nonviolent resistance, reinforcing loyalty to God over imperial powers:

"Jesus might be being political and engaged in some nonviolent resistance in a way that we just miss because we aren't thinking about the culture and the history." (24:37)

Modern-Day Applications and Reflections

Transitioning to contemporary relevance, the hosts reflect on how oath-taking manifests in today's society. Brent brings up examples such as the implicit oaths in digital communication, where expectations of prompt responses can create undue pressure and assumptions.

El elaborates on the concept of "hemming ourselves in" through modern equivalents of oaths, such as making grand declarations about personal capabilities or future predictions that bind or limit personal growth and integrity:

"We're hemming ourselves in. When we say stuff like that, we're tying ourselves to a future negatively because we have no idea what God is calling us to..." (28:23)

They advocate for embracing Jesus's call to let "yes" and "no" stand on their own, fostering a culture of honesty and reliability without the need for additional guarantees or vows.

Key Insights and Takeaways

1. Integrity Over Oaths: Jesus's teaching emphasizes living with inherent honesty and integrity, rendering oaths unnecessary.
2. Cultural Critique: The directive serves as a subtle critique of both Jewish and Greco-Roman oath practices, promoting a shift towards trustworthiness without external bindings.
3. Political Resistance: By discouraging oaths tied to imperial allegiance, Jesus advocates for spiritual loyalty over political subservience.
4. Modern Parallels: Contemporary practices often mirror ancient oath-making in subtle ways, creating pressures and constraints that hinder genuine integrity.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Brent Billings (00:27): "Today I'm with El Grover Fricks to investigate Jesus's teaching on oaths."

• El Grower Fricks (01:58): "We love to keep it literal, I think. I mean, there's a lot of context we're going to get into..."

• Brent Billings (09:00): "Jesus is saying, don't even get into the place where you need to resolve things via oath in the first place."

• El Grower Fricks (19:05): "This first verse, bing, bang, bong, we have each element. Only difference is we have house instead of city."

• Brent Billings (35:29): "I often think about Ephesians 4 and how forceful Paul is when he says, do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth..."

Conclusion

Episode 443 of The BEMA Podcast offers a profound exploration of Jesus's teachings on oaths, situating them within their rich historical and cultural contexts. By dissecting the interplay between Jewish rabbinic traditions and Greco-Roman practices, Brent and El provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of why Jesus's instruction to forgo oaths was both radical and revolutionary. The discussion not only sheds light on ancient practices but also invites listeners to reflect on their own word-keeping and the implicit oaths present in modern life.

Transcript Reference

For reference and further context, the discussion in this summary draws from the podcast transcript timestamps ranging from 00:00 to 38:52.

End of Summary