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In this lesson:
The Sermon on the Mount continues. Honesty, not perjury (5:33-37), forgiveness, not revenge (5:38-42), love your enemies (5:43-48). Study Tip: Think how you can apply each passage to your life. Applying God's truth is a difficult part of Bible work, but the results are worth the effort. |
The Sermon on the Mount.
By an unknown artist. |
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 5:33-48
Jesus teaches 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. |
Margin notes:
"Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths." (5:33) - "You shall not perjure yourself but shall honor the oaths you make to the Lord." This commandment to honor our vows to God is part of the Ten Commandments/Mosaic Law (Leviticus 19:12, Numbers 30:2, Deuteronomy 23:23). "Swear not at all." (5:34) - In fact, don't swear an oath to God at all. Similar advice can also be found in and James 5:12. "Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay." (5:37) - "Let your word be simply yes or no." You can keep your word without swearing an oath. "More than these cometh of evil." (5:37) - "Anything more than this comes from the evil one." "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." (5:38) - Jesus is quoting the Mosaic Law (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21). An "eye for an eye" became part of Jewish civil law. "Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." (5:41) - "Whoever forces you to go a mile, go with him two." In biblical times, Roman soldiers could compel civilians to carry their equipment for a mile, but no further. This gave the soldier a short break without disrupting the civilian's entire day. "Give to him that asketh thee." (5:42) - From Deuteronomy 15:8. Jesus reinforces this message in Luke 6:30. "Thou shalt love thy neighbour." (5:43) - Another piece of the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 19:18). "Love your enemies." (5:44) - Jesus repeats this teaching in Luke 6:27 and shows us by example in 1 Peter 2:23. "Bless them that curse you." (5:44) - "Pray for those who persecute you." "Do good to them that hate you." (5:44) - It is easy to "do good" for loved ones. But Jesus has a higher standard. He asks believers to "do good" to those who hate them. See Romans 12:20. "Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (5:44) - Pray for those who persecute you, like the first Christian martyr Stephen did in Acts 7:59-60 and Jesus in Luke 23:34. "Do not even the publicans the same?" (5:46) - "Don't tax collectors do the same thing?" Tax collectors were despised by Jews because they worked for the Roman occupiers (Matthew 18:17; 21:31). It's easy to love people who love us, even the publicans did that. It's harder to love your enemies. "If ye salute your brethren only." (5:47) - "If you only greet your friends." "Be ye therefore perfect." (5:48) - To be perfect is to be complete or mature in godliness. |
New Living Translation
Matthew 5:33-48
Teaching about Vows
33 "You have also heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.'
34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, 'By heaven!' because heaven is God's throne.
35 And do not say, 'By the earth!' because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, 'By Jerusalem!' for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.
36 Do not even say, 'By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black.
37 Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.' Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Teaching about Revenge
38 "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.
41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy.
44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.
47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Teaching about Vows
33 "You have also heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.'
34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, 'By heaven!' because heaven is God's throne.
35 And do not say, 'By the earth!' because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, 'By Jerusalem!' for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.
36 Do not even say, 'By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black.
37 Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.' Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Teaching about Revenge
38 "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.
41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy.
44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.
47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (5:38-39)
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (5:43-44)
"For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?" (5:46)
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (5:38-39)
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (5:43-44)
"For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?" (5:46)
Today's Questions:
1. Is Jesus telling us not to resist evil? (5:39)
2. Who can be perfect (spiritually complete)? (5:48)
"To live for Christ, we must learn to die to self." (Unknown)
1. Is Jesus telling us not to resist evil? (5:39)
2. Who can be perfect (spiritually complete)? (5:48)
"To live for Christ, we must learn to die to self." (Unknown)
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. No, Christians should resist evil. Verse 5:39 tells believers not to seek revenge. Christians should resist evil, immoral, and criminal behavior. In future lessons, the Bible will encourage Christians to be humble, work for justice, and to resist evil (Romans 12:21; Ephesians 6:13; James 4:7).
2. The term "perfect" does not mean being without sin. It refers to being spiritually mature and living a life that reflects God's character. Christians should strive to live with love and to be as spiritually mature as possible. To do that, we must accept God's gift of salvation, remove ourselves from temptation (Deuteronomy 18:13), and strive to live a life that pleases God.
Application thought for the day:
Do you have an enemy?
Why not extend a friendly hand (5:44)?
Call or reach out to them with an unexpected text or email.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible" published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke