What does it mean that God sends rain on the just and the unjust alike in Matthew 5?
Does God bless the unjust as well as the just?
Matthew 5:45
ESV - 45 So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
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Asked May 08 2020
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Gregory Jones
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
Jesus spoke these words in connection with His commandment to His followers in Matthew 5:43-44 (immediately prior to the verse cited in the question) to love and pray for their enemies. The fact that God behaves in the manner spoken of by Jesus is a sign of His mercy toward all human beings (regardless of their morality), and is to be emulated by those who follow Him. However, that mercy is not given as a sign of God's approval of people regardless of their actions, but is intended (by the fact that it is imparted to those who do not deserve it) to highlight even more the unjust nature of their actions, and to bring them to a recognition of their need for repentance and change. (This same principle is applied in the exercising of non-violent resistance to unjust laws or practices.) (Also, every human being needs that mercy, since none of us -- if we are honest with ourselves -- can attain the perfect righteousness required by God through our own efforts, apart from faith in Christ.)
Grant Abbott
Supporter
In the bible, the Holy Spirit, as the author of all scripture, uses the term "blessed" to refer to God's relationship with human beings, his creation. The bible shows us 2 types of blessings: 1) the general blessings that apply to all human beings as his creation, 2) the specific blessings that apply only to God's chosen people (Israel in the Old Testament, Christians in the New Testament). The general blessings of God are not based on human performance or our willingness to obey what God commands us. However, his specific blessings are very much dependant on our faith and obedience. When we put our faith in Jesus for our salvation we are blessed with the gift of eternal life. When we walk with the Holy Spirit we are blessed with the fruit of the Spirit displayed in our life. 1. General blessings to all human beings (some examples) God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good (Matt 5:45) God sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous (Matt 5:45) God gives talents and abilities to all people to enable them to be productive and prosper in life God gives knowledge to scientists to enable the discovery of cures for diseases which protect all people 2. Specific blessings to Christians (some examples) When we humbly accept Jesus as our Saviour we become citizens of Jesus kingdom and heaven is our home (Matt 5:3) When we mourn and confess our sin, we receive God's forgiveness and cleansing (Matt 5:4) When we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, we receive an inheritance in the new heaven and earth he will create (Matt 5:5) When we hunger and thirst to live a God-pleasing life, we are filled with the Holy Spirit (Matt 5:6) When we are merciful (kind and compassionate) to others, we will be showered with God's mercy every day (Matt 5:7) When our hearts are pure and holy, we will have a close personal relationship with God (Matt 5:8) When we seek peace in all our relationships, we will identified as part of God's family (Matt 5:9) When we are persecuted because we live a God-honouring life, we are affirmed by God as citizens of his eternal kingdom (Matt 10:10) God's general blessings apply to all human beings "For God so loved the world [all people] that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16). God's specific blessings apply only to Christians "that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). In the Old Testament, God demonstrates that he punishes evil (unjust) and blesses good (just). In Deuteronomy chapter 28 we get a vivid picture of the "Blessings for Obedience" and ""Curses for Disobedience". But with the coming of Jesus as the perfect Son of God and Saviour of the world, Jesus took all of God's curses upon himself, through his death on the cross, for every human being who ever lived (past, present and future). God has now ushered in a new kingdom filled with grace and mercy towards all people (Matt 18:14, 2 Pet 3:9), because he is not willing that any should perish. However, God has reserved a day for judgment when Jesus Christ comes again as the judge of all human beings. All evil and wickedness in every person's life, that is not covered by Jesus blood (through faith in his salvation), will be judged perfectly and punished for all eternity. See 2 Pet 3:3-13. But when Jesus comes again He will create a new heaven and earth, and all believers in him will have an inheritance in this new world for all eternity. What greater blessings could Christians have than to live forever in the paradise that God intended with his first creation in Genesis ch 1 and 2. See Is 65:17; Is 66:22, Rev 21:1-8).
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
What does it mean that God sends rain on the just and the unjust alike in Matthew 5? Does God bless the unjust as well as the just? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus drew his disciples' attention to two aspects of creation that many people take for granted: sunshine and rain. Both are essential to preserving life. Jesus used this lesson to teach his disciples that God wants us to show love toward everyone. Whenever we enjoy a stunning sunset or see a refreshing rain shower, we can reflect on God's impartial love. His example can move us to show similar love by preaching to all. God's statement in Matthew 5 that He "sends rain on the just and the unjust" describes His unrestricted generosity toward all people, not a declaration that moral distinctions disappear. In the ancient world, rain symbolised life, growth, and sustenance. By giving it freely to everyone, God shows that His creation care is not limited by human virtue or failure. What the statement means Jesus uses this image to teach that God's kindness operates without discrimination. Sunlight and rainfall are essential for survival, and He provides them continually. This reveals a pattern in God's dealings with humanity: He sustains life, provides for it, and maintains the world for all people, regardless of their moral standing. This is often described as common grace—the universal benevolence that preserves and enriches human life. Does God bless the unjust as well as the just? Yes. The passage affirms that God's blessings are not restricted to those who live rightly. People who ignore Him or act unjustly still receive food, seasons, families, opportunities, and the basic gifts of creation. These blessings do not imply approval of wrongdoing; they reflect God's patience and His desire that people turn toward what is good. His impartial generosity allows time for reflection, change, and repentance. Why this matters Jesus uses God's impartial kindness as a model for human behaviour. If God shows goodness even to those who oppose Him, His followers are called to act with similar generosity. The verse therefore teaches both something about God's nature—steadfast, patient, and benevolent—and how people should treat one another. Summarising the topic God's rain falls on everyone because His sustaining care is universal. He blesses both the just and the unjust, not to erase moral responsibility, but to reveal His character and invite all people to respond to His goodness.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Great question, Gregory! Yes, God blesses both the just and the unjust. The WE translation, the Worldwide English (New Testament) of this verse, Matthew 5:45 says, "In that way you will be sons of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun shine on both wrong and good people. He lets the rain fall on people who do right and on people who do wrong." The main point is God’s common grace, not common calamity. Sun and rain are everyday blessings that give life. In a farming society, rain is not ruin. It is provision. It helps crops grow and shows God’s goodness and patience. You must not think like we usually do here in America: The idiom "rain on someone's parade" means to spoil someone's happiness, excitement, or plans. But that's not what Jesus meant here. That is why Luke’s parallel says, “He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil” (Luke 6:35). Acts 14:17 also says God “did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons.” So in Scripture, rain is normally a blessing (Deut 28:12; Lev 26:4; Ps 65:10-13; Jer 5:24). It can be judgment in special cases, such as floods and hail. But in Matthew 5:45, the context makes clear that it is a good gift. Jesus is saying, “If God is generous even to the unjust, you should imitate that generosity by loving your enemies.” Matthew 5:45 "you may be sons of your Father... Just as God gives the good gifts of sun and rain to all people without distinction, members of the kingdom should act with love, kindness, and generosity toward all. Jesus’ followers should reflect God’s character." --Faithlife Study Bible Paraphrased with AI assistance
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