Bible Commentary

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 48. Be ye ] Lit. Ye shall be perfect. Either (1) in reference to a future state, “if ye have this true love or charity ye shall be perfect hereafter;” or (2) the future has an imperative force, and perfect is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:48”

And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? 47. salute your brethren only ] See Mat 5:43. The Hebrew salutation was Shalom (peace). The higher MS. authority gives “Gentiles” or “heathen,” instead of “publicans.” Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges And if … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:47”

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 46. publicans ] taxgatherers; not collectors of a regular tax fixed by government as with us, but men who farmed or contracted for the publicum (state revenue), hence called Publicani. At Rome the equestrian order enjoyed … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:46”

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 45. that ye may be the children of your Father ] See note on Mat 5:9. To act … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:45”

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 44. Several editors, with high MS. authority, omit the words “bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,” and “despitefully … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:44”

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. ( c) Love or Charity, 43 48. 43. Thou shalt love thy neighbour ] Lev 19:18, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” The second clause does not occur in Levit., but was a Rabbinical inference. Enemies, all … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:43”

Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 42. from him that would borrow of thee ] Luke has “lend, hoping for nothing again.” Forced loans have been a mode of oppression in every age, for which, perhaps, no people have suffered more than the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:42”

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 41. compel thee to go a mile ] The Greek text has a Persian word here signifying “to press into service as a courier” for the royal post, then, generally, “to force to be a guide,” “to requisition,” men or cattle. This … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:41”

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloak also. 40. coat ] Lit. tunic, the under garment. It had sleeves, and reached below the knees, somewhat like a modern shirt. cloke, the upper garment. A large square woollen robe, resembling the modern Arab … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:40”

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 39. resist not evil ] i. e. do not seek to retaliate evil. turn to him the other also ] To be understood with the limitation imposed on the words … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:39”