top of page

Sermon On The Mount Series - Oaths, Retaliation and Love Of Enemies

  • Writer: Grant Watts
    Grant Watts
  • Jul 13
  • 4 min read

Nehemiah

Being A Part Of The Kingdom



Please use whatever section you feel you need to cover. These studies are written to cover a wide range of people at various points along their faith journey, as such some sections may not be relevant to you or your group, feel free to use whatever is helpful. - GRANT


Each study is broken topical section then into:

·      information and context sections

·      followed by  practical life questions

Ending with a look at the general themes in the overall passage for discussion.

Finally there are some extra questions that can be used.


Matthew 5:33-48: The Call to Radical Righteousness

A. Vows and Oaths (Matthew 5:33-37)

  • The Old Testament context: The Law allowed for oaths (e.g., Numbers 30:2, Deuteronomy 23:21-23). The issue wasn't the oaths themselves, but the abuse of them, particularly taking oaths by various things (heaven, earth, Jerusalem, one's head) to make them seem less binding than an oath to God.

  • Jesus' Teaching: "Do not swear at all" (v. 34). Is this  a blanket prohibition against all forms of affirmations or legal oaths? (see Paul's use of oaths in Romans 9:1, 2 Corinthians 1:23). What do you think Jesus is trying to teach here?

  • Practical Application: “let your Yes be Yes and your No be No”,

    • How honest are your everyday conversations?

    • Do you exaggerate, shade the truth, or make promises we don't intend to keep?


B. An Eye for an Eye (Matthew 5:38-42)

  • The Old Testament context : "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" (Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21). This was a principle of justice and proportionality – ensuring punishment fit the crime and preventing excessive retaliation. It was intended to limit vengeance, not encourage it.

  • Jesus' Radical Teaching: "Do not resist an evil person" (v. 39). This is one of the most challenging teachings in the Bible. Jesus gives four examples:

    1. Turning the other cheek (v. 39): A direct affront, usually a backhand slap, meant to humiliate. Jesus calls for absorbing the insult rather than retaliating.

    2. Giving your cloak as well (v. 40): Going beyond what is legally required in a dispute.

    3. Going the second mile (v. 41): Roman soldiers could compel someone to carry their pack for one mile. Jesus says to go two – an act of surprising, voluntary service.

    4. Giving to the one who asks and not turning away from a borrower (v. 42): Generosity towards those in need, even when it's inconvenient.

  • Practical Application: 

    1. How do we respond when we are wronged, insulted, or taken advantage of?

    2. Do we seek revenge, hold grudges, or retaliate in kind?

    3. Do you find forgiveness easy?


C. Love for Enemies (Matthew 5:43-48)

  • The Old Testament context: "You shall love your neighbour" (Leviticus 19:18). There was no explicit command to hate one's enemy, but Jewish tradition often interpreted "neighbour" narrowly and saw enemies as outside the scope of love.

  • Jesus' Revolutionary Teaching: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (v. 44). This is the apex of Jesus' call to radical righteousness.

    • "Love your enemies": This is agape love – a volitional, selfless, unconditional love that seeks the highest good of the other, regardless of their actions or feelings towards us. It's not about liking them, but about actively seeking their well-being.

    • "Pray for those who persecute you": This is a concrete act of love that transforms our own hearts and can impact those who oppose us.

  • The Goal: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (v. 48).

    • Perfection: This doesn't mean sinless perfection in this life, but rather completeness, maturity, or wholeness in our love and character, reflecting God's own perfect love. It's a lifelong pursuit, a direction we are always striving towards.

  • Practical Application:

    • Who are your "enemies"?

    • How do you treat them?

    • Do you speak ill of them, harbor resentment, or actively seek to harm them?


Key Themes for discussion

  • God's Character as Our Standard: We are called to imitate the impartial, self-giving, and merciful love of God the Father.

  • The Nature of True Love (Agape): It's not an emotion but a choice, an active benevolence extended even to those who are unlovable.

  • Overcoming Evil with Good: Jesus calls for a proactive approach to evil, responding with grace and love rather than mirroring the negativity.


Reflection Questions

  1. Which of Jesus' statements in this passage do you find most challenging? Why?

  2. In what specific areas of your life do you tend to lack integrity in your speech ("let your 'Yes' be 'Yes'")?

  3. Can you think of a time when you were able to respond to an insult or injustice with grace rather than retaliation? What was the outcome?

  4. Who is an "enemy" (or someone you find difficult to love) in your life right now? What is one concrete way you can apply Jesus' teaching to them this week?

  5. What does it mean to you to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect"? How does this teaching inspire or challenge you?


See Video from Bible Project on Wisdom Within oaths, retaliation and enemy love in the Sermon On The Mount: https://bibleproject.com/videos/wisdom-within-laws-about-oaths-retaliation-and-enemy-love

 
 
bottom of page