3. Christ's Ethical Teaching Superior to that of the Scribes (both the Old Testament and the Oral Law) in Six Items or Illustrations (Murder, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliation, Love of Enemies)
Matt. 5:21-48
21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgement [see Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17]: 22 but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother1 shall be in danger of the judgement; and whosoever shall say to his brother, 2Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, 3Thou fool, shall be in danger 4of the 5hell of fire. 23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught 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 with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge 6deliver 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 have paid the last farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery [see Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18]: 28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into 7hell. 30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into 7hell. 31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement [see Deut. 24:1]: 32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.a
33 Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths [see Lev. 19:12; Num. 30:2; Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11; 23:21]: 34 but I say unto you, Swear not at all [see [Matt. 26:63-64]]; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor 8by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King [see Isa. 66:1]. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black [see Ps. 48:2]. 37 9But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of 10the evil one.
38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [see Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21]: 39 but I say unto you, Resist not 11him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also [see [John 18:23]]. 40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall 12compel thee to go one 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 was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour [see Lev. 19:18; Deut. 23:6; 25:19],
| Matt. 5:21-48 | Luke 6:27-30, 32-36 |
| and hate thine enemy: 44 but I say unto you [see [Luke 23:34]], Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; 45 that ye may be sons of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the 13publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? 48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. | 27
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, 28 bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you. 29 To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloke withhold not thy coat also. 30 Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 32 And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for even sinners do the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? even sinners lend to sinners, to receive again as much. 35 But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, 14never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. 36 Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful. |
1 Many ancient authorities insert without cause.
2 An expression of contempt.
3 Or, Moreh, a Hebrew expression of condemnation.