Murder Begins in the Heart(A)

21 “You have heard that it was said to those [a]of old, (B)‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that (C)whoever is angry with his brother [b]without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, (D)‘Raca!’[c] shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, [d]‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of [e]hell fire. 23 Therefore (E)if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 (F)leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 (G)Agree with your adversary quickly, (H)while 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. 26 Assuredly, 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 said [f]to those of old, (I)‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever (J)looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 (K)If your right eye causes you to [g]sin, (L)pluck 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. 30 And if your right hand causes you to [h]sin, 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(M)

31 “Furthermore it has been said, (N)‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that (O)whoever divorces his wife for any reason except [i]sexual 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 (P)it was said to those of [j]old, (Q)‘You shall not swear falsely, but (R)shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, (S)do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is (T)God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of (U)the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 (V)But let [k]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Go the Second Mile(W)

38 “You have heard that it was said, (X)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 (Y)But I tell you not to resist an evil person. (Z)But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever (AA)compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and (AB)from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Love Your Enemies(AC)

43 “You have heard that it was said, (AD)‘You shall love your neighbor (AE)and hate your enemy.’ 44 [l]But I say to you, (AF)love your enemies, bless those who curse you, (AG)do good to those who hate you, and pray (AH)for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for (AI)He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 (AJ)For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your [m]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the [n]tax collectors do so? 48 (AK)Therefore you shall be perfect, just (AL)as your Father in heaven is perfect.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 in ancient times
  2. Matthew 5:22 NU omits without a cause
  3. Matthew 5:22 Lit., in Aram., Empty head
  4. Matthew 5:22 Gr. More
  5. Matthew 5:22 Gr. Gehenna
  6. Matthew 5:27 NU, M omit to those of old
  7. Matthew 5:29 Lit. stumble or offend
  8. Matthew 5:30 Lit. stumble or offend
  9. Matthew 5:32 Or fornication
  10. Matthew 5:33 ancient times
  11. Matthew 5:37 Lit. your word be yes yes
  12. Matthew 5:44 NU But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
  13. Matthew 5:47 M friends
  14. Matthew 5:47 NU Gentiles

Personal Relationships

21 (A)You have heard that [a]the ancients were told, ‘(B)You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to (C)the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to (D)the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘[b]You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to [c](E)the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the [d](F)fiery hell. 23 Therefore, if you are (G)presenting your [e]offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your [f]offering there before the altar and go; first be (H)reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your [g]offering. 25 (I)[h]Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way to court, so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, (J)you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last [i]quadrans.

27 (K)You have heard that it was said, ‘(L)You shall not commit adultery’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman (M)with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 Now (N)if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, [j]than for your whole body to be thrown into [k](O)hell. 30 And (P)if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you [l]to lose one of the parts of your body, [m]than for your whole body to go into [n](Q)hell.

31 “Now it was said, ‘(R)Whoever sends his wife away is to give her a certificate of divorce’; 32 (S)but I say to you that everyone who [o]divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a [p]divorced woman commits adultery.

33 “Again, (T)you have heard that [q]the ancients were told, ‘[r](U)You shall not [s]make false vows, but shall fulfill your [t]vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, (V)take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is (W)the throne of God, 35 nor by the earth, for it is the (X)footstool of His feet, nor [u]by Jerusalem, for it is (Y)the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But make sure your statement is, ‘[v]Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is [w]of (Z)evil origin.

38 (AA)You have heard that it was said, ‘(AB)Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but (AC)whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your [x]tunic, let him have your [y]cloak also. 41 Whoever [z]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 (AD)Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

43 (AE)You have heard that it was said, ‘(AF)You shall love your neighbor (AG)and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, (AH)love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be (AI)sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For (AJ)if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? 48 Therefore (AK)you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 Lit it was said to the ancients
  2. Matthew 5:22 Or You empty-head; Gr Raka (Raca) from Aramaic reqa
  3. Matthew 5:22 Lit the Sanhedrin; i.e., Jewish High Court
  4. Matthew 5:22 Lit Gehenna of fire
  5. Matthew 5:23 Or gift
  6. Matthew 5:24 Or gift
  7. Matthew 5:24 Or gift
  8. Matthew 5:25 I.e., settle the case
  9. Matthew 5:26 A small Roman copper coin, worth about 1/64 of a laborer’s daily wage
  10. Matthew 5:29 Lit and that your whole body not be
  11. Matthew 5:29 Gr Gehenna
  12. Matthew 5:30 Lit that one...be lost
  13. Matthew 5:30 Lit and not your whole body
  14. Matthew 5:30 Gr Gehenna
  15. Matthew 5:32 Lit sends away, the Heb term for divorce
  16. Matthew 5:32 Lit woman sent away
  17. Matthew 5:33 Lit it was said to the ancients
  18. Matthew 5:33 you and your are singular here
  19. Matthew 5:33 Or break your vows
  20. Matthew 5:33 Lit oaths
  21. Matthew 5:35 Or toward
  22. Matthew 5:37 I.e., a clear “yes” or “no”
  23. Matthew 5:37 Or from the evil one
  24. Matthew 5:40 A long shirt worn next to the skin
  25. Matthew 5:40 Or outer garment
  26. Matthew 5:41 Lit will force

Personal Relationships

21 “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be [a]guilty before the court.’(A) 22 But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, [b]‘Raca (You empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the [c]fiery hell. 23 So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you, 24 leave your offering there at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25 Come to terms quickly [at the earliest opportunity] with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way [to court], so that your opponent does not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you are thrown into prison.(B) 26 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid the last [d]cent.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’;(C) 28 but I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye makes you stumble and leads you to sin, tear it out and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand makes you stumble and leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

31 “It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife is to give her a certificate of divorce’; 32 but I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on grounds of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits adultery.(D)

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not make false vows, but you shall fulfill your vows to the Lord [as a religious duty].’ 34 But I say to you, do not make an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(E) 36 Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you are not able to make a single hair white or black. 37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.(F)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’(G) 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever [e]slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise].(H) 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, [f]let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender]. 41 And whoever [g]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.(I)

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’(J) 44 But I say to you, [h]love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(K) 45 so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. 46 For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? 48 You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 Or liable to.
  2. Matthew 5:22 A severe Aramaic insult.
  3. Matthew 5:22 Gr Gehenna, a Greek version of the Hebrew for Valley of Hinnom, a ravine where garbage was burned continuously, located just south of Jerusalem. Often regarded in ancient times as symbolic of hell (the lake of fire), a realm reserved for the wicked. Mentioned in Matt 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6.
  4. Matthew 5:26 Gr kodrantes, from the Lat quadrans, which was the smallest Roman bronze coin.
  5. Matthew 5:39 In this context the “slap” is not an act of violence, but more likely an insult or violation of one’s rights.
  6. Matthew 5:40 Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.
  7. Matthew 5:41 Roman soldiers were allowed to force civilian bystanders to carry their gear one mile for them.
  8. Matthew 5:44 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.

Murder(A)

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a](B) and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry(C) with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment.(D) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court.(E) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.(F)

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e](G) 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.(H) 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble,(I) gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble,(J) cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[f](K) 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.(L)

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,(M) but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’(N) 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:(O) either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;(P) 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(Q) 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;(R) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[g](S)

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h](T) 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.(U) 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.(V)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i](W) and hate your enemy.’(X) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(Y) 45 that you may be children(Z) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.(AA) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(AB) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(AC)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
  2. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
  3. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
  4. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt
  5. Matthew 5:27 Exodus 20:14
  6. Matthew 5:31 Deut. 24:1
  7. Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
  8. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
  9. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought 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 in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver 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 hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 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.

30 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.

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 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.

33 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:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 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.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a 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 hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 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;

45 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.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

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