Simply Tell the Truth - Matthew 5:33-37
Readers Theater

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Part of a study on the Sermon on the Mount

Free E-mail Bible Study Bible study Apostle Peter: Disciple Lessons from the Rock

This reading contains texts from Matthew 5:33-37 and 23:16-22.

READER 1 You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'
READER 2 Yes, if you swear in court
READER 3 Swear on the Bible
READER 4 Swear on a stack of Bibles
READER 3 Cross your heart and hope to die
READER 1 The Pharisees had strange rules about taking oaths.
READER 2 If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing;
READER 3 But if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.
READER 4 Sneaky
READER 3 "Blind guides!" Jesus called them.
READER 1 If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.
READER 2 Deceptive.
READER 3 "Blind fools!" Jesus said.
READER 1 If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.
READER 2 An elaborate cover for a lie.
READER 3 "Blind men!" Jesus called them
READER 4 But I tell you,
READER 3 Jesus told his followers,
READER 1 Do not swear at all.
READER 2 Do not swear at all.
READER 3 Not at all.
READER 4 Never.
READER 1 Either by heaven,
READER 2 For it is God's throne;
READER 1 Or by the earth,
READER 3 For it is his footstool;
READER 1 Or by Jerusalem,
READER 4 For it is the city of the Great King.
READER 2 The whole earth is the Lord's and everything in it.
READER 3 It is all God's.
READER 1 And do not swear by your head,
READER 2 For you cannot make even one hair white or black.
READER 3 Black or white.
READER 4 Or gray.
READER 1 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,'
READER 2 And your 'No,' 'No';
READER 1 Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
READER 2 The evil one.
READER 3 Who is a liar
READER 4 And the father of lies.
READER 1 When you say "Yes," mean "Yes."
READER 2 And when you say "No," mean "No."
READER 1 Don't fancy up your speech with awesome oaths.
READER 2 "Swear on a stack of Bibles"
READER 3 "Swear on the grave of my dead mother"
READER 1 Or stupid sayings
READER 4 "Cross my heart and hope to die."
READER 1 Say way you mean.
READER 2 Or don't say it at all.
READER 3 Let your words stand for themselves.
READER 4 Let your word be your bond.
READER 3 And truthfulness be your reputation.
READER 1 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,'
READER 2 And your 'No,' 'No';
READER 3 Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

All lessons now compiled as a 220-page book available as an e-book or printed book.

Part of a study on the Sermon on the Mount found at https://www.jesuswalk.com/manifesto/

Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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Jesus' Parables for Disciples, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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