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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:21

Verse 21 21.You have heard that it was said. This sentence, and those which immediately follow, are connected with what we have just considered: for our Lord explains more fully, by minute instances, by what tortuous methods (396) the Pharisees debase the law, so that their righteousness is mere filth. It is a mistake, however, to suppose that this is an ἐπανόρθωσις , or correction (397) of the Law, and that Christ raises his disciples to a higher degree of perfection, than Christ could raise a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:22

Verse 22 22.But I say to you His reply is not opposed to the command of Moses, (Exodus 20:13; Leviticus 24:21; Numbers 35:16;) but to the interpretation usually put upon it by the scribes. Now, as the Pharisees boasted of antiquity, (for it is always the custom to plead the prescription of a long period in defense of errors,) (398) Christ reminds the people of his authority, to which all antiquity ought justly to give way. Hence we conclude, that truth is of greater weight than custom or the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:23

Verse 23 Matthew 5:23.Therefore, if thou shalt bring thy gift This clause confirms, and at the same time explains, the preceding doctrine. It amounts to this, that the precept of the law, which forbids murder, (Exodus 20:13,) is obeyed, when we maintain agreement and brotherly kindness, with our neighbor. To impress this more strongly upon us, Christ declares, that even the duties of religion are displeasing to God, and are rejected by him, if we are at variance with each other. When he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:17-48

The second part of the sermon: the mount of the Beatitudes and Mount Sinai: the new Law and the old. I. CHRIST THE FULFILLER OF THE LAW . 1 . He came not to destroy. They must not misunderstand the purpose of his teaching. The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; both speak of Christ. The commandments are as binding now upon the Christian conscience as when they were first delivered amid the thunders of Mount Sinai. "We establish the Law," says the apostle of faith ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:17-48

Sermon on the mount: 3. Exceeding righteousness. A teacher who compels the public to look at an unfamiliar truth, the reformer who introduces a new style of goodness, will be misinterpreted just in proportion to the advance he makes upon former ideas. Our Lord renounced explicitly, and with warmth, the goodness of the Pharisees, and the cry was at once raised against him as a destroyer of the Law, a libertine, a companion or' loose people. He thus found himself called on publicly to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:21

Ye have heard ( ἠκούσατε , frequentative aorist). Our Lord does not say, "ye have read" (cf. Matthew 21:42 ), for he was not now speaking to the learned classes, but to a large audience many of whom were probably unable to read. "Ye have heard," i.e. from your teachers whose teaching claims to be the substance of the Law. So, probably, even in John 12:34 , where the multitude say that they "have heard out of the Law that the Christ abideth for ever," which, since this is hardly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:21-24

Matthew only; verses 25, 26 have parts common to Luke. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:21-26

The Christian type of a true fulfilling of the Law: Christ's first illustration. Had the scribes and Pharisees not adulterated in many ways the Law, their righteousness would still have been the observing of the letter of commandments of the old covenant. The greatness of the moral step in advance now promulgated by Christ is measured by the fact that he sets as a necessity before his freshest recruits, that they should see better and do better than the masters and veterans of that old... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:21-26

The stringency of the gospel Law. "Ye have heard ," etc. The people generally were acquainted with the Law chiefly through the teaching of the scribes; but the scribes so mixed the traditions of the elders with the Word of inspiration, that it was needful that the Source of inspiration should speak again. "I say unto you." I. HERE CHRIST OPENS THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE LAW . 1 . He does not release us from the letter. 2 . He enjoins the Law is its spirit. ... read more

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