{Swear not at all} (m(8820)omosai hol(9373)). More exactly "not to
swear at all" (indirect command, and aorist infinitive).
Certainly Jesus does not prohibit oaths in a court of justice for
he himself answered Caiaphas on oath. Paul made solemn appeals to
God ( 1Th 5:27  1Co 15:31 ). Jesus prohibits all forms of
profanity. The Jews were past-masters in the art of splitting
hairs about allowable and forbidden oaths or forms of profanity
just as modern Christians employ a great variety of vernacular
"cuss-words" and excuse themselves because they do not use the
more flagrant forms.