Matthew 5:17-32

The Fulfillment of the Law

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca ,’^[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

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]

28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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, 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]

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.

Cross References

• 1. John 10:34,35; Romans 3:31
• 2. Psalms 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 16:17; Luke 21:33
• 3. James 2:10
• 4. Isaiah 26:2; Matthew 18:3; John 3:5
• 5. Exodus 20:13; Exodus 21:12; Deuteronomy 5:17
• 6. Ecclesiastes 7:9; 1 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 4:26; James 1:19,20
• 7. 1 John 3:15
• 8. Matthew 26:59; John 11:47; Ac 5:21,27,34,41; Acts 6:12
• 9. Matthew 18:9; Mark 9:43,48; Luke 16:24; James 3:6
• 10. Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18
• 11. Proverbs 6:25; 2 Peter 2:14
• 12. ver 30; Mt 18:6,8,9; Mark 9:42-47; Luke 17:2; Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 8:13; S 2 Corinthians 6:3; 2 Corinthians 11:29
• 13. S ver 29
• 14. Deuteronomy 24:1-4
• 15. S Luke 16:18

Footnotes

• [a] Exodus 20:13
• [b] The Greek word for "brother or sister" ("adelphos" ) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
• [c] Some manuscripts "brother or sister without cause"
• [d] An Aramaic term of contempt
• [e] Exodus 20:14
• [f] Deut. 24:1