The Evidence Bible - Mattheus - Evangelisatie-materiaal.nl

Matthew 5 168
SPIRITUAL NATURE OF THE LAW
5:22
“Herein is the Law of God above
all other laws, that it is a spiritual
law. Other laws may forbid
compassing and imagining, which are treason
in the heart, but cannot take cognizance
thereof, unless there be some overt act; but
the Law of God takes notice of the iniquity
regarded in the heart, though it go no further.”
Matthew Henry
“The precepts of philosophy, and of the
Hebrew code, laid hold of actions only.
[Jesus] pushed His scrutinies into the heart of
man, erected His tribunal in the region of his
thoughts, and purified the waters at the
fountain head.” Thomas Jefferson
of these least commandments, and shall
teach men so, he shall be called the least
in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever
shall do and teach them, the same shall
be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say to you, That except your
righteousness shall exceed the righteousness
of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall
in no case enter into the kingdom of
heaven.
21 You have heard that it was said by
them of old time, You shall not kill; and
whosoever shall kill shall be in danger
of the judgment:
22 But I say to 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, You fool, shall
be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to
the altar, and there remember that your
brother has anything against you;
24 Leave there your gift before the altar,
and go your way; first be reconciled to
your brother, and then come and offer
your gift.
25 Agree with your adversary quickly,
while you are in the way with him; lest
at any time the adversary deliver you to
the judge, and the judge deliver you to
the officer, and you be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say to you, You shall by no
means come out thence, till you have paid
the uttermost farthing.
27 You have heard that it was said by
them of old time, You shall not commit
adultery:
28 But I say to you, That whosoever
looks on a woman to lust after her has
committed adultery with her already in
his heart.
5:16 “If doing a good act in public will excite others to do more good, then ‘Let your light shine
to all.’ Miss no opportunity to do good.” John Wesley
5:20 Self-righteousness. These words would have astounded Jesus’ hearers. If anyone was
righteous, it was the scribes and Pharisees. Their hope of life from the Law was therefore shattered.
That is what we must do: shatter the self-righteous beliefs of those poor souls who try to earn salvation.
Jesus shows us how in the following verses by explaining that God requires truth even in the
inward parts. He considers hatred to be murder (1 John 3:15). If we as much as have anger without
cause, we are in danger of judgment (v. 22). If we have lust in our hearts, God considers us to be
adulterers (v. 28). Sin is so serious, Jesus said that it would be better to be blind than to go to hell
because of a lustful eye.
5:21,22 God sees the thought-life: He weighs our motives and judges the intent of the hearts:
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15). See Matthew 5:27,28 footnote.
5:22 Hell: For verses warning of its reality, see Matthew 5:29,30.
5:27,28 God knows what’s in the heart: “For God will bring every work into judgment, including
every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). “But after your hardness and
impenitent heart you treasure up to yourself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the
righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Romans 2:5,6).
See Mark 7:20–23 footnote.