Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

MATTHEW 5:36KJV
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Matthew 5:36 (KJV)

What does Matthew 5:36 mean?

Matthew 5:36 says not to swear an oath by your own head, because you do not have the power to change even one hair’s color from white to black. The verse highlights human limitation and warns against making promises based on things outside your control.

Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching about honesty and the use of oaths. By mentioning the head and hair, Jesus points out that even something as personal as your own body is not truly yours to command. The verse fits into a larger section where Jesus urges people to let their “yes” be yes and their “no” be no, rather than relying on oaths to prove their truthfulness.

The Greek behind Matthew 5:36

  • κεφαλή (kephalē, “head”): This word refers to a person’s physical head. By telling people not to swear by their own head, Jesus is emphasizing that even our own bodies are not under our ultimate control.
  • δύνασαι (dynasai, “canst”): This verb means “to be able” or “to have power.” The verse uses it to stress that humans lack the ability to change even a single hair’s color, highlighting our limitations.
  • τρίξ (thrix, “hair”): This word means a single hair. The mention of one hair underlines how little control a person has, even over the smallest details of their own life.

Why Matthew 5:36 matters

  • Matthew 5:36 clears up the idea that swearing by something personal, like your own head, somehow makes an oath more trustworthy; Jesus points out that such things are not truly within your power.
  • The verse emphasizes humility, reminding listeners that only God has ultimate control, even over small things like the color of a hair.
  • This teaching connects to Jesus’ broader message in the Sermon on the Mount about integrity and truthfulness, encouraging people to speak honestly without relying on elaborate promises or oaths.

Where else these words appear

“black” Greek G3189 · used in 3 verses

  • Revelation 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
  • Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

“hair” Greek G2359 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  • Luke 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
  • John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

“Neither” Greek G3383 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
  • Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

“swear” Greek G3660 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
  • Matthew 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
  • Hebrews 3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?