15Nor do they alight a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men, athat they may see your good works and bglorify your Father in heaven.
Christ Fulfills the Law
17a“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
18For assuredly, I say to you, atill heaven and earth pass away, one1jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
19aWhoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds athe righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder Begins in the Heart
21“You have heard that it was said to those1of old, a‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
22But I say to you that awhoever is angry with his brother1without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, b‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says,3‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of4hell fire.
23Therefore aif you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24aleave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25aAgree with your adversary quickly, bwhile you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
26Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Adultery in the Heart
27“You have heard that it was said1to those of old,a‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28But I say to you that whoever alooks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29aIf your right eye causes you to1sin, bpluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
30And if your right hand causes you to1sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Marriage Is Sacred and Binding
31“Furthermore it has been said, a‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’
32But I say to you that awhoever divorces his wife for any reason except1sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
Jesus Forbids Oaths
33“Again you have heard that ait was said to those of old, b‘You shall not swear falsely, but cshall perform your oaths to the Lord.’
34But I say to you, ado not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is bGod’s throne;
35nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of athe great King.
36Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
37aBut let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Go the Second Mile
38“You have heard that it was said, a‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39aBut I tell you not to resist an evil person. bBut whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41And whoever acompels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42Give to him who asks you, and afrom him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Love Your Enemies
43“You have heard that it was said, a‘You shall love your neighborband hate your enemy.’
44But I say to you, alove your enemies, bless those who curse you, bdo good to those who hate you, and pray cfor those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for aHe makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46aFor if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the2tax collectors do so?
48aTherefore you shall be perfect, just bas your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. The preceding verses were so opposed to the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees that some might assert that he was a destroyer of the law. He replies that he has not come to destroy it, but to fulfill. He does not say that he has come to perpetuate it. To fulfill. To complete its purpose. He was the end of the law. It was a "schoolmaster to bring us to Christ", but "after faith is come we are no longer under the schoolmaster" (Galatians 3:24).
Other People's Commentary (NT) entries containing Matthew 5:17:
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
