18 For G1063 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Till G2193 G302 heaven G3772 and G2532 earth G1093 pass, G3928 one G1520 jot G2503 or G2228 one G3391 tittle G2762 shall in no wise G3364 pass G3928 from G575 the law, G3551 till G2193 G302 all G3956 be fulfilled. G1096
And G1161 it is G2076 easier G2123 for heaven G3772 and G2532 earth G1093 to pass, G3928 than G2228 one G3391 tittle G2762 of the law G3551 to fail. G4098
The grass H2682 withereth, H3001 the flower H6731 fadeth: H5034 but the word H1697 of our God H430 shall stand H6965 for ever. H5769
Then G3767 answered G611 Jesus G2424 and G2532 said G2036 unto them, G846 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 The Son G5207 can G1410 G3756 do G4160 nothing G3762 of G575 himself, G1438 but G3362 what G5100 he seeth G991 the Father G3962 do: G4160 for G1063 what things soever G3739 G302 he G1565 doeth, G4160 these G5023 also G2532 doeth G4160 the Son G5207 likewise. G3668
Lift up H5375 your eyes H5869 to the heavens, H8064 and look H5027 upon the earth H776 beneath: for the heavens H8064 shall vanish away H4414 like smoke, H6227 and the earth H776 shall wax old H1086 like a garment, H899 and they that dwell H3427 therein shall die H4191 in like H3644 manner: H3654 but my salvation H3444 shall be for ever, H5769 and my righteousness H6666 shall not be abolished. H2865
Concerning thy testimonies, H5713 I have known H3045 of old H6924 that thou hast founded H3245 them for ever. H5769
They shall perish, H6 but thou shalt endure: H5975 yea, all of them shall wax old H1086 like a garment; H899 as a vesture H3830 shalt thou change H2498 them, and they shall be changed: H2498
And G2532 he said G3004 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 there be G1526 some G5100 of them that stand G2476 here, G5602 which G3748 shall G1089 not G3364 taste G1089 of death, G2288 till G2193 G302 they have seen G1492 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 come G2064 with G1722 power. G1411
Then G1161 said G2036 Jesus G2424 unto his G846 disciples, G3101 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 a rich man G4145 shall hardly G1423 enter G1525 into G1519 the kingdom G932 of heaven. G3772
And G2532 he sighed deeply G389 in his G846 spirit, G4151 and saith, G3004 Why G5101 doth G1934 this G3778 generation G1074 seek after G1934 a sign? G4592 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 There shall no G1487 sign G4592 be given G1325 unto this G5026 generation. G1074
And G2532 whosoever G3745 G302 shall G1209 not G3361 receive G1209 you, G5209 nor G3366 hear G191 you, G5216 when ye depart G1607 thence, G1564 shake off G1621 the dust G5522 under G5270 your G5216 feet G4228 for G1519 a testimony G3142 against them. G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 It shall be G2071 more tolerable G414 for Sodom G4670 and G2228 Gomorrha G1116 in G1722 the day G2250 of judgment, G2920 than G2228 for that G1565 city. G4172
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 All G3956 sins G265 shall be forgiven G863 unto the sons G5207 of men, G444 and G2532 blasphemies G988 wherewith G3745 soever G302 they shall blaspheme: G987
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Wheresoever G3699 G1437 this G5124 gospel G2098 shall be preached G2784 in G1722 the whole G3650 world, G2889 there shall also G2532 this, that G3739 this woman G3778 G846 hath done, G4160 be told G2980 for G1519 a memorial G3422 of her. G846 Then G5119 one G1520 of the twelve, G1427 called G3004 Judas G2455 Iscariot, G2469 went G4198 unto G4314 the chief priests, G749
And G2532 the King G935 shall answer G611 and say G2046 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Inasmuch G1909 as G3745 ye have done G4160 it unto one G1520 of the least G1646 of these G5130 my G3450 brethren, G80 ye have done G4160 it unto me. G1698
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 This G3778 generation G1074 shall not G3364 pass, G3928 till G302 G2193 all G3956 these things G5023 be fulfilled. G1096 Heaven G3772 and G2532 earth G1093 shall pass away, G3928 but G1161 my G3450 words G3056 shall G3928 not G3364 pass away. G3928
And G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto them, G846 See ye G991 not G3756 all G3956 these things? G5023 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 There shall G863 not G3364 be left G863 here G5602 one stone G3037 upon G1909 another, G3037 that G3739 shall G2647 not G3364 be thrown down. G2647
Whether G5101 of G1537 them twain G1417 did G4160 the will G2307 of his father? G3962 They say G3004 unto him, G846 The first. G4413 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 the publicans G5057 and G2532 the harlots G4204 go G4254 into G1519 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 before G4254 you. G5209
Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G1161 said G2036 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 If G1437 ye have G2192 faith, G4102 and G2532 doubt G1252 not, G3361 ye shall G4160 not G3756 only G3440 do G4160 this G3440 which is done to the fig tree, G4808 but G235 also if G2579 ye shall say G2036 unto this G5129 mountain, G3735 Be thou removed, G142 and G2532 be thou cast G906 into G1519 the sea; G2281 it shall be done. G1096
And G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 ye G5210 which G3588 have followed G190 me, G3427 in G1722 the regeneration G3824 when G3752 the Son G5207 of man G444 shall sit G2523 in G1909 the throne G2362 of his G846 glory, G1391 ye G5210 also G2532 shall sit G2523 upon G1909 twelve G1427 thrones, G2362 judging G2919 the twelve G1427 tribes G5443 of Israel. G2474
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 I will G3364 drink G4095 no more G3754 G3765 of G1537 the fruit G1081 of the vine, G288 until G2193 that G1565 day G2250 that G3752 I drink G4095 it G846 new G2537 in G1722 the kingdom G932 of God. G2316
And G2532 I saw G1492 a great G3173 white G3022 throne, G2362 and G2532 him that sat G2521 on G1909 it, G846 from G575 whose G3739 face G4383 the earth G1093 and G2532 the heaven G3772 fled away; G5343 and G2532 there was found G2147 no G3756 place G5117 for them. G846
But G1161 the day G2250 of the Lord G2962 will come G2240 as G5613 a thief G2812 in G1722 the night; G3571 in G1722 the which G3739 the heavens G3772 shall pass away G3928 with a great noise, G4500 and G1161 the elements G4747 shall melt G3089 with fervent heat, G2741 the earth G1093 also G2532 and G2532 the works G2041 that are therein G1722 G846 shall be burned up. G2618 Seeing then G3767 that all G3956 these things G5130 shall be dissolved, G3089 what manner G4217 of persons ought G1163 ye G5209 to be G5225 in G1722 all holy G40 conversation G391 and G2532 godliness, G2150 Looking for G4328 and G2532 hasting G4692 unto the coming G3952 of the day G2250 of God, G2316 wherein G1223 G3739 the heavens G3772 being on fire G4448 shall be dissolved, G3089 and G2532 the elements G4747 shall melt G5080 with fervent heat? G2741 Nevertheless G1161 we, G4328 according to G2596 his G846 promise, G1862 look for G4328 new G2537 heavens G3772 and G2532 a new G2537 earth, G1093 wherein G1722 G3739 dwelleth G2730 righteousness. G1343
Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto thee, G4671 We speak G2980 that G3754 G3739 we do know, G1492 and G2532 testify G3140 that G3739 we have seen; G3708 and G2532 ye receive G2983 not G3756 our G2257 witness. G3141
Behold, G2400 your G5216 house G3624 is left G863 unto you G5213 desolate: G2048 and G1161 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 Ye shall G1492 not G3364 see G1492 me, G3165 until G2193 G302 the time come G2240 when G3753 ye shall say, G2036 Blessed G2127 is he that cometh G2064 in G1722 the name G3686 of the Lord. G2962
Blessed G3107 are those G1565 servants, G1401 whom G3739 the lord G2962 when he cometh G2064 shall find G2147 watching: G1127 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 he shall gird himself, G4024 and G2532 make G347 them G846 to sit down to meat, G347 and G2532 will come forth G3928 and serve G1247 them. G846
From G575 the blood G129 of Abel G6 unto G2193 the blood G129 of Zacharias, G2197 which G3588 perished G622 between G3342 the altar G2379 and G2532 the temple: G3624 verily G3483 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 It shall be required G1567 of G575 this G5026 generation. G1074
For G1063 whosoever G3739 G302 shall give G4222 you G5209 a cup G4221 of water G5204 to drink G4222 in G1722 my G3450 name, G3686 because G3754 ye belong G2075 to Christ, G5547 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 he shall G622 not G3364 lose G622 his G846 reward. G3408
And G2532 as they G846 sat G345 and G2532 did eat, G2068 Jesus G2424 said, G2036 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 One G1520 of G1537 you G5216 which G3588 eateth G2068 with G3326 me G1700 shall betray G3860 me. G3165
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 this G3778 generation G1074 shall G3928 not G3364 pass, G3928 till G3360 G3739 all G3956 these things G5023 be done. G1096
And G2532 he called G4341 unto him his G846 disciples, G3101 and saith G3004 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 this G3778 poor G4434 widow G5503 hath cast G906 more G4119 in, G906 than all G3956 they which have cast G906 into G1519 the treasury: G1049
For G1063 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 whosoever G3739 G302 shall say G2036 unto this G5129 mountain, G3735 Be thou removed, G142 and G2532 be thou cast G906 into G1519 the sea; G2281 and G2532 shall G1252 not G3361 doubt G1252 in G1722 his G846 heart, G2588 but G235 shall believe G4100 that G3754 those things which G3739 he saith G3004 shall come to pass; G1096 he G846 shall have G2071 whatsoever G3739 G1437 he saith. G2036
And G1161 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said, G2036 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 There is G2076 no man G3762 that G3739 hath left G863 house, G3614 or G2228 brethren, G80 or G2228 sisters, G79 or G2228 father, G3962 or G2228 mother, G3384 or G2228 wife, G1135 or G2228 children, G5043 or G2228 lands, G68 for my G1700 sake, G1752 and G2532 the gospel's, G2098
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Whatsoever G3745 G1437 ye shall bind G1210 on G1909 earth G1093 shall be G2071 bound G1210 in G1722 heaven: G3772 and G2532 whatsoever G3745 G1437 ye shall loose G3089 on G1909 earth G1093 shall be G2071 loosed G3089 in G1722 heaven. G3772
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto thee, G4671 Thou shalt G1831 by no means G3364 come G1831 out thence, G1564 till G2193 G302 thou hast paid G591 the uttermost G2078 farthing. G2835
Therefore G3767 when G3752 thou doest G4160 thine alms, G1654 do G4537 not G3361 sound a trumpet G4537 before G1715 thee, G4675 as G5618 the hypocrites G5273 do G4160 in G1722 the synagogues G4864 and G2532 in G1722 the streets, G4505 that G3704 they may have glory G1392 of G5259 men. G444 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 They have G568 their G846 reward. G3408
Moreover G1161 when G3752 ye fast, G3522 be G1096 not, G3361 as G5618 the hypocrites, G5273 of a sad countenance: G4659 for G1063 they disfigure G853 their G846 faces, G4383 that G3704 they may appear G5316 unto men G444 to fast. G3522 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 They have G568 their G846 reward. G3408
And G2532 whosoever G3739 G1437 shall give to drink G4222 unto one G1520 of these G5130 little ones G3398 a cup G4221 of cold G5593 water only G3440 in G1519 the name G3686 of a disciple, G3101 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 he shall in no wise G3364 lose G622 his G846 reward. G3408
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Among G1722 them that are born G1084 of women G1135 there hath G1453 not G3756 risen G1453 a greater than G3187 John G2491 the Baptist: G910 notwithstanding G1161 he that is least G3398 in G1722 the kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is G2076 greater than G3187 he. G846
For G1063 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 many G4183 prophets G4396 and G2532 righteous G1342 men have desired G1937 to see G1492 those things which G3739 ye see, G991 and G2532 have G1492 not G3756 seen G1492 them; and G2532 to hear G191 those things which G3739 ye hear, G191 and G2532 have G191 not G3756 heard G191 them.
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 There be G1526 some G5100 standing G2476 here, G5602 which G3748 shall G1089 not G3364 taste G1089 of death, G2288 till G302 G2193 they see G1492 the Son G5207 of man G444 coming G2064 in G1722 his G846 kingdom. G932
And G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto them, G846 Because G1223 of your G5216 unbelief: G570 for G1063 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 If G1437 ye have G2192 faith G4102 as G5613 a grain G2848 of mustard seed, G4615 ye shall say G2046 unto this G5129 mountain, G3735 Remove G3327 hence G1782 to yonder place; G1563 and G2532 it shall remove; G3327 and G2532 nothing G3762 shall be impossible G101 unto you. G5213
But G1161 when G3752 they persecute G1377 you G5209 in G1722 this G5026 city, G4172 flee ye G5343 into G1519 another: G243 for G1063 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Ye shall G5055 not G3364 have gone over G5055 the cities G4172 of Israel, G2474 till G2193 the Son G5207 of man G444 be G302 come. G2064
Jesus G2424 answered G611 them, G846 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 Whosoever G3956 committeth G4160 sin G266 is G2076 the servant G1401 of sin. G266
Then G3767 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto them, G846 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Moses G3475 gave G1325 you G5213 not G3756 that bread G740 from G1537 heaven; G3772 but G235 my G3450 Father G3962 giveth G1325 you G5213 the true G228 bread G740 from G1537 heaven. G3772
Jesus G2424 answered G611 them G846 and G2532 said, G2036 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Ye seek G2212 me, G3165 not G3756 because G3754 ye saw G1492 the miracles, G4592 but G235 because G3754 ye did eat G5315 of G1537 the loaves, G740 and G2532 were filled. G5526
Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 He that heareth G191 my G3450 word, G3056 and G2532 believeth G4100 on him that sent G3992 me, G3165 hath G2192 everlasting G166 life, G2222 and G2532 shall G2064 not G3756 come G2064 into G1519 condemnation; G2920 but G235 is passed G3327 from G1537 death G2288 unto G1519 life. G2222 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 The hour G5610 is coming, G2064 and G2532 now G3568 is, G2076 when G3753 the dead G3498 shall hear G191 the voice G5456 of the Son G5207 of God: G2316 and G2532 they that hear G191 shall live. G2198
Jesus G2424 answered, G611 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto thee, G4671 Except G3362 a man G5100 be born G1080 of G1537 water G5204 and G2532 of the Spirit, G4151 he cannot G3756 G1410 enter G1525 into G1519 the kingdom G932 of God. G2316
Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto thee, G4671 Except G3362 a man G5100 be born G1080 again, G509 he cannot G1410 G3756 see G1492 the kingdom G932 of God. G2316
And G2532 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto him, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto thee, G4671 To day G4594 shalt thou be G2071 with G3326 me G1700 in G1722 paradise. G3857
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 This G3778 generation G1074 shall G3928 not G3364 pass away, G3928 G302 till G2193 all G3956 be fulfilled. G1096 Heaven G3772 and G2532 earth G1093 shall pass away: G3928 but G1161 my G3450 words G3056 shall G3928 not G3364 pass away. G3928
And G1161 he said G2036 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 There is G2076 no man G3762 that G3739 hath left G863 house, G3614 or G2228 parents, G1118 or G2228 brethren, G80 or G2228 wife, G1135 or G2228 children, G5043 for G1752 the kingdom G932 of God's G2316 sake, G1752
Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Whosoever G3739 shall G1209 not G3362 receive G1209 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 as G5613 a little child G3813 shall G1525 in no wise G3364 enter G1525 therein. G1519 G846
Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 He that entereth G1525 not G3361 by G1223 the door G2374 into G1519 the sheepfold, G4263 G833 but G235 climbeth up G305 some other way, G237 the same G1565 is G2076 a thief G2812 and G2532 a robber. G3027
Then G3767 said G2036 Jesus G2424 unto them G846 again, G3825 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 I G1473 am G1510 the door G2374 of the sheep. G4263
Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 The servant G1401 is G2076 not G3756 greater than G3187 his G846 lord; G2962 neither G3761 he that is sent G652 greater than G3187 he that sent G3992 him. G846
Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 He that receiveth G2983 whomsoever G1437 G5100 I send G3992 receiveth G2983 me; G1691 and G1161 he that receiveth G2983 me G1691 receiveth G2983 him that sent G3992 me. G3165 When Jesus G2424 had G2036 thus G5023 said, G2036 he was troubled G5015 in spirit, G4151 and G2532 testified, G3140 and G2532 said, G2036 Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 one G1520 of G1537 you G5216 shall betray G3860 me. G3165
Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 He that believeth G4100 on G1519 me, G1691 the works G2041 that G3739 I G1473 do G4160 shall he do G4160 also; G2548 and G2532 greater works than G3187 these G5130 shall he do; G4160 because G3754 I G1473 go G4198 unto G4314 my G3450 Father. G3962
Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 ye G5210 shall weep G2799 and G2532 lament, G2354 but G1161 the world G2889 shall rejoice: G5463 and G1161 ye G5210 shall be sorrowful, G3076 but G235 your G5216 sorrow G3077 shall be turned G1096 into G1519 joy. G5479
Verily, G281 verily, G281 I say G3004 unto thee, G4671 When G3753 thou wast G2258 young, G3501 thou girdedst G2224 thyself, G4572 and G2532 walkedst G4043 whither G3699 thou wouldest: G2309 but G1161 when G3752 thou shalt be old, G1095 thou shalt stretch forth G1614 thy G4675 hands, G5495 and G2532 another G243 shall gird G2224 thee, G4571 and G2532 carry G5342 thee whither G3699 thou wouldest G2309 not. G3756
They G846 shall perish; G622 but G1161 thou G4771 remainest; G1265 and G2532 they all G3956 shall wax old G3822 as G5613 doth a garment; G2440 And G2532 as G5616 a vesture G4018 shalt thou fold G1667 them G846 up, G1667 and G2532 they shall be changed: G236 but G1161 thou G4771 art G1488 the same, G846 and G2532 thy G4675 years G2094 shall G1587 not G3756 fail. G1587
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Matthew 5
Commentary on Matthew 5 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 5
This chapter, and the two that follow it, are a sermon; a famous sermon; the sermon upon the mount. It is the longest and fullest continued discourse of our Saviour that we have upon record in all the gospels. It is a practical discourse; there is not much of the credenda of Christianity in it-the things to be believed, but it is wholly taken up with the agenda-the things to be done; these Christ began with in his preaching; for if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God. The circumstances of the sermon being accounted for (v. 1, 2), the sermon itself follows, the scope of which is, not to fill our heads with notions, but to guide and regulate our practice.
And the scope of the whole is, to show that the law is spiritual.
Mat 5:1-2
We have here a general account of this sermon.
Mat 5:3-12
Christ begins his sermon with blessings, for he came into the world to bless us (Acts 3:26), as the great High Priest of our profession; as the blessed Melchizedec; as He in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed, Gen. 12:3. He came not only to purchase blessings for us, but to pour out and pronounce blessings on us; and here he does it as one having authority, as one that can command the blessing, even life for evermore, and that is the blessing here again and again promised to the good; his pronouncing them happy makes them so; for those whom he blesses, are blessed indeed. The Old Testament ended with a curse (Mal. 4:6), the gospel begins with a blessing; for hereunto are we called, that we should inherit the blessing. Each of the blessings Christ here pronounces has a double intention:
Our Saviour here gives us eight characters of blessed people; which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian. On each of them a present blessing is pronounced; Blessed are they; and to each a future blessing is promised, which is variously expressed, so as to suit the nature of the grace or duty recommended.
Do we ask then who are happy? It is answered,
Now,
Now these gracious mourners,
These meek ones are here represented as happy, even in this world.
Those who hunger and thirst after spiritual blessings, are blessed in those desires, and shall be filled with those blessings.
Now as to the merciful.
Now,
Mat 5:13-16
Christ had lately called his disciples, and told them that they should be fishers of men; here he tells them further what he designed them to be- the salt of the earth, and lights of the world, that they might be indeed what it was expected they should be.
This similitude is here explained in two things:
See here,
Mat 5:17-20
Those to whom Christ preached, and for whose use he gave these instructions to his disciples, were such as in their religion had an eye,
Mat 5:21-26
Christ having laid down these principles, that Moses and the prophets were still to be their rulers, but that the scribes and Pharisees were to be no longer their rulers, proceeds to expound the law in some particular instances, and to vindicate it from the corrupt glosses which those expositors had put upon it. He adds not any thing new, only limits and restrains some permissions which had been abused: and as to the precepts, shows the breadth, strictness, and spiritual nature of them, adding such explanatory statutes as made them more clear, and tended much toward the perfecting of our obedience to them. In these verses, he explains the law of the sixth commandment, according to the true intent and full extent of it.
This is very applicable to the great business of our reconciliation to God through Christ; Agree with him quickly, whilst thou art in the way. Note,
Mat 5:27-32
We have here an exposition of the seventh commandment, given us by the same hand that made the law, and therefore was fittest to be the interpreter of it: it is the law against uncleanness, which fitly follows upon the former; that laid a restraint upon sinful passions, this upon sinful appetites, both which ought always to be under the government of reason and conscience, and if indulged, are equally pernicious.
Mat 5:33-37
We have here an exposition of the third commandment, which we are the more concerned right to understand, because it is particularly said, that God will not hold him guiltless, however he may hold himself, who breaks this commandment, by taking the name of the Lord in vain. Now as to this command,
It is added, from some other scriptures, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths (Num. 30:2); which may be meant, either,
Now the mind of Christ in this matter is,
The reason is observable; For whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil, though it do not amount to the iniquity of an oath. It comes ek tou Diabolou; so an ancient copy has it: it comes from the Devil, the evil one; it comes from the corruption of men's nature, from passion and vehemence; from a reigning vanity in the mind, and a contempt of sacred things: it comes from that deceitfulness which is in men, All men are liars; therefore men use these protestations, because they are distrustful one of another, and think they cannot be believed without them. Note, Christians should, for the credit of their religion, avoid not only that which is in itself evil, but that which cometh of evil, and has the appearance of it. That may be suspected as a bad thing, which comes from a bad cause. An oath is physic, which supposes a disease.
Mat 5:38-42
In these verses the law of retaliation is expounded, and in a manner repealed. Observe,
But some of the Jewish teachers, who were not the most compassionate men in the world, insisted upon it as necessary that such revenge should be taken, even by private persons themselves, and that there was no room left for remission, or the acceptance of satisfaction. Even now, when they were under the government of the Roman magistrates, and consequently the judicial law fell to the ground of course, yet they were still zealous for any thing that looked harsh and severe.
Now, so far this is in force with us, as a direction to magistrates, to use the sword of justice according to the good and wholesome laws of the land, for the terror of evil-doers, and the vindication of the oppressed. That judge neither feared God nor regarded man, who would not avenge the poor widow of her adversary, Lu. 18:2, 3. And it is in force as a rule to lawgivers, to provide accordingly, and wisely to apportion punishments to crimes, for the restraint of rapine and violence, and the protection of innocency.
Two things Christ teaches us here:
Three things our Saviour specifies, to show that Christians must patiently yield to those who bear hard upon them, rather than contend; and these include others.
Mat 5:43-48
We have here, lastly, an exposition of that great fundamental law of the second table, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, which was the fulfilling of the law.
Two reasons are here given to enforce this command (which sounds so harsh) of loving our enemies. We must do it,