What does Jesus mean with the phrase “those of old”?
Matthew 5:33 (ESV)
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.’
Though some commentators understand Jesus to be referring to the oral tradition of the scribes and Pharisees,1those of old is most likely the people of Israel as they were gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19—Numbers 10).2
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.’