S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says several times, "You have heard that it was said . . ." and follows it up with "But I tell you. . . ." Using the formula, Jesus creates a contrast between the ...

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July 01 2013 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Kraft Supporter 74 year old retired pipeline worker

Jesus said that unless our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, no one will see God. 

Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 

Romans 4:6: Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth righteousness apart from works. Blessed is the man whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 

The Pharisees were self righteous. Galatians 2:21: I do not void the grace of God, for if righteousness were by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 

If we could be saved by keeping the law and doing good works, then Jesus died for no reason. 

The law is good, but it cannot save a sinner who has broken the law. Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:9-10: For there is none righteous, no not one. 

We are all sold under sin. But through one sinner, Adam, all are made sinners, all can be made righteous through Jesus, who fulfilled the law for us.

Jesus kept the law perfectly. He has imputed His perfect righteousness to our account. John 3:18. Believers can no longer be condemned to hell. Unbelievers are condemned already because they have not believed on the name of the Son of God. 

Jesus paid our sin debt in full so we can never be condemned again. 1 John 2:2. And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. 

Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

Jesus took the punishment we deserve so we would not have to go to hell to pay for our sins. He kept the law perfectly and has imputed His perfect righteousness to our account. 

That is why we have nothing to boast in. Romans 3:26-28. Jesus paid it all and we paid 0. You cannot boast in 0. Romans 6:23: For the penalty for sin is death, and we all sin, First John 1:8, and we all die, but the GIFT of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

There will be no boasting in heaven. Jesus paid it all and we paid 0. John 6:40, and John 6:29. 1 John 5:13.

August 04 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Roman CIERESZKO Supporter Retired librarian

There is difference before and after the crucifixion of Jesus.

What happened to the old commandments on the cross? Christ abolished the law of commandments and regulations (Eph. 2:15) and blotted out, removed, and nailed them to the cross (Col. 2:14). The old law, including the 10 commandments, passed away when Jesus was nailed up to the cross.

The ministry of death and condemnation engraved on stones has passed away. Now in the NT, the church is in the ministry of the Spirit and righteousness (2 Cor. 3:7-11). It means that now the Holy Spirit is working His fruit through us; we are no more following old commandments written on stones, but we are submitting the the Holy Spirit to enable Him to generate His fruit in us.

October 08 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Did Jesus contradict the Law in Matthew 5:21-22?

Ye have heard that it was said, to them of olden time, "Thou shalt not commit murder, and whosoever shall commit murder shall be liable to judgment. 22 But I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment,—and whosoever shall say to his brother, 'Worthless one!' shall be liable to the high council; and whosoever shall say, 'Rebel!' shall be liable unto the fiery Gehenna." --Rotherham Bible

No, Jesus did not contradict the Law in Matthew 5:21-22; instead, he expanded on its more profound meaning and spiritual implications. He affirmed the existing command against murder but revealed that it applied not only to the outward act but also to the inner heart, where anger and hateful words can be the root of sin. By doing this, he demonstrated the inadequacy of a purely surface-level interpretation of the law and highlighted his authority to explain its full intent. 

If we note what Jesus stated in Matthew 5:17, he said that he came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfil them. "Do not think that I came to pull down the law, or the prophets. I came not to pull down, but to fulfil." --Rotherham Bible.

His teaching in Matthew 5:21-22 is an example of this fulfilment, as he deepens the understanding of a commandment rather than nullifying it.

And while the Mosaic Law forbade the outward act of murder, Jesus teaches that anger and contempt in the heart are equally subject to divine judgment because they represent the root of murder. 

When Jesus previously quoted from the Hebrew Scriptures, he said: "It is written." (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10) But six times in the Sermon on the Mount, he introduced what sounded like statements from the Hebrew Scriptures with the words: "It was said." (Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43) Why? Because he was referring to the Scriptures as interpreted in the light of Pharisaic traditions that contradicted God's commandments.

Jesus here showed that the root of the problem of murder lies at a level deeper than the violent act itself. It is in the attitude that grows in the murderer's heart. If people did not allow a feeling of resentment or anger to build up, premeditated violence would disappear. How much bloodshed would be avoided if this teaching were applied!

Matthew 5:21, 22​: Is giving vent to anger more serious than harbouring it? Jesus warned that a person who harbours smouldering wrath against his brother is committing a grave sin. However, giving expression to wrath by speaking a word of contempt is more serious, making one accountable to a court higher than the local court of justice.

Conclusion:

This teaching aligns with Jesus's earlier declaration in the Sermon on the Mount: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them" (Matthew 5:17). 

In this context, "fulfil" means to bring the law to its intended purpose and completion, not to nullify or replace it. By revealing the deeper intent of the law against murder, Jesus shows what perfect obedience to God's standard truly entails.

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report