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).
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.)
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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).
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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.
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... [ 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.
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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.)
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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).
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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.
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