|
In this lesson:
The Sermon on the Mount continues. Every word in this passage (and the following four lessons) is Jesus speaking. Matthew 5:17-20 teaches God's principles, then verses 5:21-32 relate them to life's circumstances. Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration to make a point. It was a common form of expression in biblical times. In Matthew 5:29, Jesus isn't telling us to literally pluck out an eye. His point is that God considers lust as grievous a sin as actual adultery. Jesus wants us to see that God's standards are higher than we could ever achieve and that our only hope is in Him. Study Tip: Make a list of verses that teach how to be a Christian. |
The Sermon on the Mount.
By Italian painter Cosimo Rosselli (1439-1507) |
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
|
Matthew 5:17-32
Jesus teaches the Kingdom laws 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. |
Margin notes:
"The law." (5:17) - "The Law" refers to the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament. There were three aspects to the Mosaic law; ceremonial (how to worship while waiting for the Messiah to arrive), moral (how to live), and civil. Since the Messiah has come, the ceremonial aspect is no longer necessary. "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." (5:17) - Jesus did not come to abolish the Mosaic Law, He came to fulfil it. Jesus is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament (Romans 10:4). Additional note: Jesus' death on the cross opened up a new era. Before the crucifixion, there was the Mosaic Law, which could not save us. After the crucifixion, we are saved by grace and can have a relationship with Christ. "Verily." (5:18) - Means "truly." "One jot or one tittle." (5:18) - A jot is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The tittle is a small, almost inconsequential extension to a Hebrew letter. "Shall in no wise pass." (5:18) - "Will by no means pass." "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees." (5:20) - "Unless your faith is greater than the faith of the scribes and Pharisees." "Ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (5:20) - "You will never enter the kingdom of heaven." "Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time." *(5:21) - "You've heard that people in the past said." "Thou shalt not kill." (5:21) - Thou shalt not kill is part of the Ten Commandments/Mosaic Law (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). To kill is to intentionally murder another. To accidently kill is not a sin. "Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca." (5:22) - "Whoever calls his brother, fool." Raca is an Aramaic word that comes from the Hebrew "rak," meaning "to be empty." Here, it is an insult referring to an empty-headed or foolish person. Notice that Matthew doesn't explain the meaning of the word raca. This proves that he wrote for a Jewish (not gentile) audience. "Thy brother hath ought against thee." (5:23) - "Your brother has something against you." "First be reconciled to thy brother." (5:24) - We cannot be right with God until we are right with each other. "Agree with thine adversary quickly." (5:25) - Jesus repeats His advice to settle differences quickly in Luke 12:58. "Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing." (5:26) - "You won't get out (of debtors prison) until you pay every last penny." "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (5:27) - Part of the Ten Commandments/Mosaic Law found in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18. "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery." (5:28) - This is from the Old Testament (Proverbs 6:25). This commandment is reinforced in 2 Peter 2:14. "If thy right eye offend thee." (5:29) - "If your right eye leads you astray." "It is profitable for thee." (5:29) - "It is better for you." "Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement." (5:31) - "Whoever divorces his wife should give her written notice" (Deuteronomy 24:1). "Saving for the cause of fornication." (5:32) - "Except in the case of adultery" (Jesus will reinforce this teaching in Matthew 19:9 (lesson 37). |
New Living Translation
Matthew 5:17-32
Teaching about the Law
17 "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.
19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 "But I warn you-unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Teaching about Anger
21 "You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.'
22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
23 "So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 "When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison.
26 And if that happens, you surely won't be free again until you have paid the last penny.
Teaching about Adultery
27 "You have heard the commandment that says, 'You must not commit adultery.'
28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 So if your eye-even your good eye-causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 And if your hand-even your stronger hand-causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Teaching about Divorce
31 "You have heard the law that says, 'A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.'
32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
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 the Law
17 "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.
19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 "But I warn you-unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Teaching about Anger
21 "You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.'
22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
23 "So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 "When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison.
26 And if that happens, you surely won't be free again until you have paid the last penny.
Teaching about Adultery
27 "You have heard the commandment that says, 'You must not commit adultery.'
28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 So if your eye-even your good eye-causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 And if your hand-even your stronger hand-causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Teaching about Divorce
31 "You have heard the law that says, 'A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.'
32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
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
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (5:17-18)
"Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." (5:21-22)
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (5:27-28)
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (5:17-18)
"Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." (5:21-22)
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (5:27-28)
Today's Questions:
1. How can we be more righteous (faithful) than the scribes and Pharisees? (5:20)
2. Why is name-calling bad? (5:22)
Please let us know your comments and suggestions.
1. How can we be more righteous (faithful) than the scribes and Pharisees? (5:20)
2. Why is name-calling bad? (5:22)
Please let us know your comments and suggestions.
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. We can be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees by checking the spiritual condition of our hearts. The Pharisees boasted that they followed every minute detail of the Mosaic Law. Outwardly, they appeared to obey God but didn't allow Him to change their hearts; they were poor in spirit. We must live by God's word and not just appear to be Christians. When we acknowledge that we need God, He will change our lives and make us righteous.
2. Name-calling violates God's commandment to love. How can we claim to love God if we hate others? Hateful words grow from a spiritually dark heart and build walls and animosity. They conflict with the love and understanding a believer should show the world. Believers should be good role models. Their actions are the only Bible many people will ever see.
Jesus is making a remarkable point in verses 5:21-22. Obeying the Mosaic Law is impossible; break one part, and you've broken all of it (James 2:10).
Additional note: Sin originates in the heart. For example, adultery begins with lust. To God, committing adultery in your heart is as bad as the act. No one has ever been able to obey the Mosaic Law. Since it is impossible to keep the Law, we need God to forgive us. He does that through our faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 4:5). Christ is our savior, faith in Jesus is what saves us.
Advice from Jesus:
Obey and teach God's word (5:19). Make peace with your enemies (5:25).
Visit us on Facebook and Instagram below
to explore hundreds of our original postings.
to explore hundreds of our original postings.
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