Matthew 5:20

Shall exceed (perisseush pleion). Overflow like a river out of its banks and then Jesus adds "more" followed by an unexpressed ablative (th dikaiosunh), brachylogy. A daring statement on Christ's part that they had to be better than the rabbis. They must excel the scribes, the small number of regular teachers ( Matthew 5:21-48 ), and the Pharisees in the Pharisaic life ( Matthew 6:1-18 ) who were the separated ones, the orthodox pietists.