Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No'

[tonychanyt]

ESV Matthew 5:

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

Some Christians interpret this in the absolute sense. Everything is either black or white and there is nothing in between.

Let's check the context:

33“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.’

Don't swear falsely. Do what you say.

34But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Ellicott explained:

but the phrase is found in the Talmud, and was probably proverbial. In all common speech a man’s words should be as good as his oath. Yes should mean yes, and No should mean no, even though there be no oath to strengthen it.

Jesus cited a proverb.

James repeated the idea in 5:12

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

There is no need to swear. Just say what you mean. Be truthful.

It does not mean that everything is either black or white and there is nothing in between.