Matthew 5:21

II. THE LAW. MENDED.

21. Ye have heard.

They had heard these things that follow out of the law. They did not have books, or copies of the law, in their homes, but they heard it read every Sabbath, in course, in the synagogue.

By them of old time.

Rendered correctly in the Revision, " To them of old time." The commandment which followed was spoken by Moses to the ancient Israelites. See Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17; Leviticus 24:17.

Thou shalt not kill.

The reader will observe that this is one of the ten commandments. Christ does not leave it in its old shape, but amends it and gives it. now interpretation. Those who insist that the decalogue has been transferred, untouched, should note this fact.

Danger of the judgment.

The judgment of the civil court appointed to try men for murder. Every city had its elders, who formed. court. In every town of Palestine there was. local court consisting of seven judges, with the right to punish murder by the sword; while the Sanhedrim could also decide death by stoning.-- Schaff.