MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:1 The Authoritative Message of the Messiah: Kingdom Life for His Disciples. This is the first of five major teaching sections in Matthew 1:1 (chs. Matthew 5:1; Matthew 10:1; Matthew 13:1; Matthew 18:1; Matthew 24:1). Speaking t [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:2 He TAUGHT THEM, that is, his disciples who had come to him (v. Matthew 5:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:3 The Beatitudes (from Latin for “blessed, happy”) all begin with “Blessed are...” These short statements summarize the Sermon on the Mount. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:4 THOSE WHO MOURN. Recognizing one’s sin should lead to mourning and longing for God’s forgiveness and healing (see 2 Corinthians 7:10). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:5 The MEEK do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agendas in their own strength. Compare Psalms 37:11. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:6 THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS long for God’s righteous character to be evident in people’s lives. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:8 In contrast to Jewish traditions that emphasized ritual purity, Jesus taught that purity of HEART was most important (see note on v. 28). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:9 PEACEMAKERS. Those who promote God’s message of peace through Jesus the Messiah will receive the ultimate reward of being called SONS OF GOD (see note on Gal. 3:26). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:13 As SALT is beneficial in a number of ways (preservative, seasoning, etc.), so are disciples of Jesus who influence the world for good. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:17 These verses explain how Jesus and the kingdom fulfill the Law of Moses. This is the key to interpreting the Sermon on the Mount and indeed the whole of Jesus’ ministry. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:18 UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY. Jesus confirms the OT’s full authority as Scripture for all time (compare 2 Timothy 3:15), even down to the smallest parts of the written text. An IOTA is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet (compare the _yod_ of the Hebrew alphabe... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:19 THESE COMMANDMENTS. The rabbis recognized a distinction between “light” commandments (such as tithing garden produce) and “weighty” commandments (such as those concerning idolatry, murder, etc.). Jesus demands a commitment to both, yet condemns those who confuse the two... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:20 The SCRIBES AND PHARISEES took pride in their outward obedience to extrabiblical regulations. But they still had impure hearts (see Matthew 23:5, Matthew 23:23, Matthew 23:27). KINGDOM righteousness works from the inside out as it produces changed hearts (Romans 6:17;... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:21 YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID (vv. Matthew 5:21, Matthew 5:27, etc.). Jesus does not correct the OT (see note on v. 43); rather, he corrects common misunderstandings of the OT. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:22 ANGRY. Anger typically includes a desire to damage or destroy the other person (see v. Matthew 5:21; James 4:1). Calling someone a FOOL is closely related to anger. It represents a destructive attack on the person’s character and identity. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ v [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:23 FIRST BE RECONCILED. The one who initiates the reconciliation here is the one who has wronged the other person. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:25 COME TO TERMS QUICKLY. Failure to reconcile will have disastrous consequences on a human level, but much more so if one is not reconciled to God. (Regarding lawsuits, see note on 1 Cor. 6:1.) ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=ima... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:28 WITH LUSTFUL INTENT (literally, “for the purpose of lusting for her”). It is not enough to maintain physical purity alone. One must also guard against mental acts of unfaithfulness (see Exodus 20:17; compare Psalms 19:14). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagNam... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:29 RIGHT EYE... RIGHT HAND. The right side often stood for the more powerful or important. The eye is the medium through which one is tempted to sin. The hand is used to commit all sorts of sin. CUT IT OFF. Jesus uses deliberate overstatement to emphasize the importance of... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:31 This passage reflects the fact that divorce and remarriage were widely practiced in the first century. A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE gave a woman the right to remarry. BUT I SAY TO YOU. God’s rule upheld marriage and protected women from being divorced for no reason. (See not... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:33 An OATH involved using God’s name, or substitutes for it, to guarantee the truth of one’s statements (see Numbers 30:2). Jesus’ disciples should be so honest that their words can be believed without an oath. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for ... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:38 EYE FOR AN EYE. God intended this “law of retaliation” to prevent inappropriate punishment. See note on Ex. 21:23–25. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:39 DO NOT RESIST THE ONE WHO IS EVIL. Jesus does not prohibit governments, police, or soldiers from using force when opposing evil (see notes on Luke 3:12–14; Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13). Rather, Jesus prohibits the human tendency to seek personal revenge (see note on Rom. 1... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:42 GIVE TO THE ONE WHO BEGS FROM YOU. Christians should help those who are truly needy (and are therefore forced to beg). They are not required to give foolishly (see Matthew 7:6), to give to a lazy person who is not in need (2 Thessalonians 3:10), or to give where giving w... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:43 YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID... HATE YOUR ENEMY. The OT never says that anyone should hate his or her enemy. In his “you have heard” statements (vv. Matthew 5:21, Matthew 5:27, Matthew 5:33, Matthew 5:38, Matthew 5:43), Jesus corrects misinterpretations of the OT, not... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:45 SONS. Those who obey God’s will through belief in Jesus (compare Matthew 12:48). (Regarding “sons,” see esv Preface.) ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:46 In Palestine, TAX COLLECTORS represented the Roman government. Their own people hated them because they often charged extra taxes and took the money for themselves (see Luke 19:8). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length,... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 5:48 BE PERFECT, AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT concludes and summarizes vv. Matthew 5:21. It shows that all the Law and the Prophets find perfect fulfillment in God the Father’s perfection. All Jesus’ disciples are called to pursue this perfection. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = do... [ Continue Reading ]