What Does the Bible Say About Yes Mean Yes?

Matthew 5:37 ESV / 58 helpful votes

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

James 5:12 ESV / 46 helpful votes

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 38 helpful votes

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Hebrews 6:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes

For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Isaiah 5:1-30 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. ...

Matthew 5:34 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

John 8:32 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Matthew 5:33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’

Matthew 5:17-19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Deuteronomy 23:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.

1 John 4:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

John 15:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

John 11:25-26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Luke 22:31-32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Leviticus 19:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

Ephesians 5:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Galatians 3:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— ...

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Matthew 23:1-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:34-36 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Matthew 5:39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ...

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Acts 2:42 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

34 Bible Verses about Yes Mean Yes

Matthew 5:37 ESV / 58 helpful votes

James 5:12 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Hebrews 6:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Isaiah 5:1-30 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Matthew 5:34 ESV / 9 helpful votes

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

John 8:32 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Matthew 5:33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Matthew 5:17-19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Deuteronomy 23:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 John 4:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 15:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 11:25-26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Luke 22:31-32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Leviticus 19:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Galatians 3:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 23:1-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 5:34-36 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Acts 2:42 ESV / 1 helpful vote

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34 Bible Verses about Yes Mean Yes

Matthew 5:37 ESV / 58 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:12 ESV / 46 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 6:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 5:1-30 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:34 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:32 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:33 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:17-19 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 23:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 11:25-26 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:31-32 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 3:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 23:1-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:34-36 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:39 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:42 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

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Matthew 5:37 ESV / 58 helpful votes

James 5:12 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Hebrews 6:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Isaiah 5:1-30 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Matthew 5:34 ESV / 9 helpful votes

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

John 8:32 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Matthew 5:33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Matthew 5:17-19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Deuteronomy 23:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 John 4:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 15:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 11:25-26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Luke 22:31-32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Leviticus 19:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Galatians 3:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 23:1-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 5:34-36 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Acts 2:42 ESV / 1 helpful vote