Jesus said, “Or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King” (Matthew 5:35) to remind His listeners that Jerusalem belongs to God, chosen as His dwelling place. Swearing by it was still swearing before God’s authority, so every word should be spoken truthfully and with integrity.
When Jesus called Jerusalem “the city of the Great King,” He connected His teaching on oaths to the Old Testament truth that God chose Jerusalem as His dwelling place (Psalm 48:2; 2 Chronicles 6:6). By doing so, He showed that swearing by Jerusalem was no less serious than swearing by God’s name.
For you, this means your words matter because they’re spoken before God’s authority. Just as Jerusalem was sacred to Israel, your everyday commitments fall under His reign. Integrity, honesty, and reverence should guide how you live. Keep reading to discover how this teaching can transform the way you view truth and God’s authority in daily life.
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When Jesus mentioned Jerusalem as “the city of the Great King” in Matthew 5:35, He wasn’t simply talking about geography or culture. He was pointing to a deep biblical truth about God’s authority, the holiness of Jerusalem, and how His people should approach promises, worship, and life itself. Let’s break this down clearly so you can fully grasp what the Bible actually says.
The Passage in Context
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught:
“But I say to you, do not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.” (Matthew 5:34–35, NKJV)
Jesus was correcting how people treated oaths. At the time, many thought that swearing by God’s name was binding, but swearing by lesser things (like heaven, earth, or Jerusalem) was not. Religious leaders had created loopholes to excuse dishonesty. Jesus dismantled this by pointing out that everything—heaven, earth, and Jerusalem—belongs to God, so every word is spoken under His authority.
Why Jerusalem Is Called “The City of the Great King”
The phrase “city of the Great King” comes directly from the Old Testament:
- Psalm 48:2 says, “Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the Great King.”
Here’s why Jerusalem carries this title:
- God Chose Jerusalem – In 2 Chronicles 6:6, God says, “I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there.” Unlike other cities, Jerusalem was divinely selected as the place where His temple would stand.
- It Was the Center of Worship – The temple in Jerusalem represented God’s presence among His people. Sacrifices, festivals, and prayers all centered on this holy city.
- It Symbolized God’s Kingship – Calling Jerusalem “the city of the Great King” reminded Israel that God, not any earthly ruler, was the true King.
So, when Jesus referred to Jerusalem this way, He was connecting His teaching to Old Testament truth and reminding His listeners of the city’s sacred role.
Jesus’ Warning About Swearing by Jerusalem
The Pharisees often swore “by Jerusalem” as a way of sounding spiritual without actually invoking God’s name. They thought this allowed them to avoid full accountability.
Jesus corrected this thinking by saying, essentially: You can’t separate your promises from God by swearing on something else. Jerusalem isn’t yours—it’s the city of the Great King.
This makes two things clear:
- Every oath is tied to God’s authority. Whether you swear by heaven, earth, or Jerusalem, you’re still swearing by something God owns.
- Your words should always be truthful. Instead of using oaths to “back up” honesty, Jesus taught in Matthew 5:37: “Let your yes be yes, and your no, no.”
Jerusalem’s Role in God’s Plan
To understand why Jesus highlighted Jerusalem, you need to see its place in the big picture of the Bible:
- Jerusalem and the Davidic Covenant
God promised King David that his throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:16). Jerusalem became the center of David’s kingdom, pointing forward to the eternal reign of Jesus, the Son of David. - Jerusalem and Worship
The temple in Jerusalem was the place where sacrifices were offered and God’s presence dwelt (1 Kings 8:10–11). It was the spiritual heartbeat of Israel. - Jerusalem in Prophecy
Prophets often spoke of Jerusalem as the place where God’s glory would be revealed. Zechariah 8:3 says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City.” - Jerusalem in the Future
Revelation 21:2 describes the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, as God’s eternal dwelling with His people. So, the earthly Jerusalem points to a greater, eternal reality.
What This Means for You
So, why should you care that Jesus said Jerusalem is “the city of the Great King”? Because it has practical lessons for your life:
- Don’t Play Games with Your Words
Just like the Pharisees tried to dodge accountability with “creative oaths,” people today often bend the truth or make half-promises. Jesus calls you to speak truthfully at all times. - Recognize God’s Authority
Jerusalem belongs to God. Heaven is His throne, earth His footstool, and Jerusalem His city. That means every part of your life falls under His reign. - Live with Reverence
If Jerusalem is holy because God chose it, how much more should your daily life reflect reverence for Him? The way you talk, act, and treat others all happen under His authority.
Key Lessons from Jesus’ Teaching
To keep it simple, here’s what you should take away:
- God owns everything. You can’t separate your words or actions from His authority.
- Honesty is non-negotiable. Jesus wants your words to stand on their own without extra oaths.
- Jerusalem is special in God’s plan. It reminds us of His kingship, His promises, and His presence.
- You live under God’s reign. Remember that you walk daily in the sight of the Great King.
Why This Still Matters Today
Even though you may not be swearing oaths “by Jerusalem” today, the principle remains the same: don’t use excuses or clever wording to dodge truth and accountability.
Jesus’ teaching points you to a life of integrity. Just as Jerusalem is God’s city, your life belongs to Him. Your promises, your commitments, your words—they all matter because they’re made in the presence of the Great King.
Final Thoughts
When Jesus said, “Or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King,” He reminded His listeners that Jerusalem is sacred, chosen by God, and ruled by Him. He wasn’t just talking about a city—He was teaching that all of life is lived under God’s kingship.
For you, this means embracing honesty, reverence, and humility. Speak truthfully, live with integrity, and remember that the Great King reigns not only over Jerusalem but over your life as well.
Key Takeaways
- Jerusalem is “the city of the Great King” because God chose it as His dwelling place and the center of worship.
- Jesus used this phrase to expose empty oath-making and call His followers to integrity.
- Everything—heaven, earth, and Jerusalem—belongs to God, so all words and actions are under His authority.
- You’re called to live truthfully and humbly before the Great King who reigns forever.
FAQs: Why Did Jesus Say “Or by Jerusalem, for It Is the City of the Great King”? [What the Bible Actually Says]
1. Why did Jesus say “Or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King”?
Jesus said this in Matthew 5:35 to correct the practice of making casual oaths. By pointing to Jerusalem as God’s city, He reminded people that swearing by it was still swearing before God’s authority, since Jerusalem belongs to Him.
2. What does “the city of the Great King” mean in the Bible?
“The city of the Great King” refers to Jerusalem. Psalm 48:2 describes it this way because God chose Jerusalem as His dwelling place, the center of worship, and the symbol of His kingship over His people.
3. Where in the Old Testament does the Bible call Jerusalem the city of the Great King?
Psalm 48:2 calls Mount Zion, which is Jerusalem, “the city of the Great King.” This title highlights Jerusalem’s spiritual importance as the city chosen by God for His temple and His presence.
4. Why was Jerusalem important to Jesus’ teaching on oaths?
People swore by Jerusalem to avoid directly invoking God’s name, thinking it made their promises less binding. Jesus corrected this by showing that Jerusalem belongs to God, so swearing by it was still swearing before Him.
5. What does Jerusalem symbolize in the Bible?
Jerusalem symbolizes God’s presence, worship, and authority. It was the site of the temple, the center of Israel’s spiritual life, and the city God chose for His name to dwell (2 Chronicles 6:6).
6. How does calling Jerusalem the city of the Great King apply to Christians today?
It reminds Christians that all of life falls under God’s reign. Just as Jerusalem was sacred to Israel, your words and actions today are made under the authority of the Great King, so they should be truthful and reverent.
7. Why did Jesus warn against swearing by heaven, earth, or Jerusalem?
Because everything belongs to God. Heaven is His throne, earth His footstool, and Jerusalem His city. Swearing by any of these still invokes God’s authority, so His followers should simply speak truthfully without needing oaths.
8. What role did Jerusalem play in God’s covenant with David?
Jerusalem was the capital of David’s kingdom, and God promised David that his throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:16). This points forward to the eternal reign of Jesus, the Son of David, in the New Jerusalem.
9. What lesson should we learn from Jesus calling Jerusalem the city of the Great King?
The lesson is integrity. You shouldn’t try to hide dishonesty behind clever words or oaths. Since everything is God’s, your “yes” should be yes and your “no” should be no, spoken honestly under His authority.
10. What is the future significance of Jerusalem in the Bible?
Revelation 21:2 describes the New Jerusalem as God’s eternal dwelling with His people. The earthly Jerusalem points to this future reality where God’s reign is fully established and His people live forever in His presence.
