Scripture Daily

Context No. 184 of 4322 · Matthew

Context · Reflection

Matthew 5:17-22: in context

17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. 19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 21“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

Jesus is partway through the Sermon on the Mount, and this passage answers a suspicion the sermon has already raised. Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish but to fulfill.

Then the strongest possible statement of the law's durability: until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. The iota is the yod, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and the stroke is the tiny mark distinguishing similar letters. He is talking about the pen strokes.

Then the standard, which is higher than his hearers expect: unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom. The Pharisees were the strictest observers anyone knew. And then he shows what exceeding it means, and it is not more rules. You have heard it said, do not murder. But I say, everyone who is angry with his brother is liable to judgment. He moves the law inward, from the act to the thing that produces the act. The bar goes up and moves into the chest. Where have I kept a rule perfectly at the level where anyone could check?

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