But I say unto you which hear
The Ethiopic version adds "me", and the generality of
interpreters understand the passage of the hearers of Christ, as
distinct from the disciples, or together with them, and of the
better sort of them; and of such as had ears to hear, and who
heard with a desire of understanding, and of putting into
practice what they heard; but I rather think it regards the
hearers of the Scribes and Pharisees, then present, who had heard
and received the traditions of the elders, to which the following
rules of Christ are opposed; and to each of which, with others in
Matthew, these words are prefixed; ye have heard that it
was said by them of old time--but I say unto
you
( Matthew
5:21 Matthew 5:27
Matthew
5:33 Matthew 5:38
Matthew
5:43 ) with which compare this phrase, and the sense will
appear to be this; to you that hear day by day, the traditions of
the elders urged upon you, and the false glosses the Scribes and
Pharisees put upon the word of God; in opposition to them, I say
to you what follows:
love your enemies;
whereas you have heard them say, hate your enemies, keep enmity
in your hearts to them, and revenge yourselves on them:
do good to them that hate you;
whereas you have heard it said, that you should only do good to
your friends, and should keep anger in your bosoms to such who
hate you, and do you an injury; (See Gill on Matthew
5:43) (See Gill on Matthew
5:44)