👉 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this passage from Matthew 23:20. It's a pretty intense and symbolic part of the book. Hereās what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about taking your vows seriously and declaring them with conviction. Letās unpack it piece by piece: āWhoso therefore shall swearā¦ā ā This means anyone who makes a promise or vow. It's a declaration of commitment. āā¦sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.ā ā This is the key part. āAll things thereonā refers to everything that follows the vow - the words, the actions, and even the consequences attached to it. Putting it together, hereās what it suggests: Jesus is telling those who make vows to be serious about them. Heās saying that these vows are important enough to be declared with a solemn oath ā like a pledge or commitment. And he's emphasizing that everything associated with the vow should be acknowledged and considered. What does this mean in a broader context? This verse is often interpreted as a warning about: Lack of sincerity: It suggests that people who make promises without truly believing them are being dishonest. The consequences of broken vows: It implies that if you break a promise, it will have significant repercussions ā perhaps even in the afterlife. Think of it like this analogy: Imagine someone promising to help a friend. If they don't actually do anything, or just say it without effort, their promise is empty and meaningless. This verse suggests that similar things can happen with vows. Important Note: This passage isnāt about literal swearing! It's a metaphorical statement about the importance of taking commitments seriously. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of how this principle is applied in the Bible?