<p>5:34 <em>But I say to you: Swear not at all, neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God</em>- The Lord taught that His people were to be unconditionally truthful, because every untruthful word would be judged at the last day (Mt. 12:36). When He taught us &lsquo;swear not at all&rsquo; (Mt. 5:33-37), He spoke specifically about not swearing by the judgment throne of God at Jerusalem. Jews and indeed all Semitic peoples were in the habit of swearing by the last day judgment, to prove that they were truthful (cp. Mt. 23:16-22). The Lord is saying that His people have no need to use those invocations and oaths- because they are to live&nbsp;<em>always</em>&nbsp;as if they are before the final judgment seat of God in Jerusalem. And therefore, our words will be true- because we live as men and women who stand constantly before His judgment presence. Swearing by &quot;heaven&quot; may refer to the temple; the &quot;earth&quot; of :35 would be the land of Israel.</p>