Bible Commentary

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: ( b) The law of retaliation, 38 42. 38. An eye for an eye ] See Exo 21:24. The Scribes draw a false inference from the letter of the law. As a legal remedy the lex … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:38”

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. But let your communication – Your word; what you say. Be, Yea – Yes. This does not mean that we should always use the word yea, for it might as well have been translated yes; but it … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:37”

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 36. by thy head ] A common form of oath in the ancient world: cp. “Per caput hoc juro per quod pater ante solebat.” Verg. n. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Neither shalt thou swear … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:36”

Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 35. Nor by the earth; for it is hisfootstool(quoting Isa 66:1); neither by Jerusalem for itis the city of the great King(quoting Ps48:2). Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:35”

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 34. Swear not at all ] The prohibition must be understood of rash and careless oaths in conversation, not of solemn asseveration in Courts of Justice. for it is God’s throne ] Such was the prevalent hypocrisy that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:34”

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: ( ) Oaths, 33 37. 33. Thou shalt not forswear thyself ] The special reference may be to the third commandment. Cp. also Lev 19:12, “Ye shall not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:33”

But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 32. causeth her to commit adultery ] By adopting a slightly different reading in the original with Lachmann, Tischendorf, and Tregelles, the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:32”

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 31. a writing of divorcement ] See note on ch. Mat 1:19. The greatest abuses had arisen in regard to divorce, which was permitted on very trivial grounds. One Rabbinical saying was “If any man hate his … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:31”

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee – The right hand is selected for the same … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:30”

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. 29. thy right eye ] suggested by the preceding verse. The eye and the hand are … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:29”