Matthew 5:29

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:27-32

Purity. In the preceding paragraph Jesus expounded the spirituality of the Law in ruling the passions; here he pursues the subject in respect to the appetites. The case of adultery is typical or representative of the series. Learn— I. THAT THE LAW IS KEPT OR BROKEN IN THE HEART . 1 . Acts are good or evil as expressions of the heart. (1) This was the reverse of the teaching of the elders. Especially so in the school of Hillel. Hence the Pharisees took the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:29

Right . Not in Matthew 18:1-35 , and parallel passage. Inserted to enhance the preciousness of the members spoken of (cf. Zechariah 11:17 ; cf. verse 39). Offend thee; Authorized Version, do cause thee to offend ; Revised Version, cause thee to stumble ( σκανδαλίζει σε ). Perhaps the verb originally referred to the stick of a trap ( σκάνδαλον , a Hellenistic word, apparently equivalent to σκανδάληθρον ) striking the person's foot, and so catching him in the trap; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:29

Plucking out the right eye. The ideas of this verse are expressed in the strong language of Oriental imagery, and yet a moment's reflection will show us that the language is not a whir too strong, even if it is interpreted with strict literalness. If it came to a choice between plucking out an eye and death, every man who had courage enough to perform the hideous deed Would at once choose it as the less terrible alternative. Every day hospital patients submit to frightful operations to save... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:29

Self-discipline. Plumptre suggests the proper way in which to treat these strong figures of speech. "The bold severity of the phrase excludes a literal interpretation. The seat of the evil lies in the will, not in the organ of sense or action, and the removal of the instrument might leave the inward taint unpurified. What is meant is, that any sense, when it ministers to sin, is an evil and not a good, the loss of which would be the truest gain." Pursuits and pleasures, innocent enough in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:29-30

Also in Matthew 18:8 , Matthew 18:9 ; the chief differences being The reason why our Lord did not mention the foot here may be either that that member is less immediately connected with sins of the flesh than the other two (cf. Wetstein, in loc ., "Averte oculum a vultu illecebroso: arce manum ab impudicis contrectationibus"), or, as seems more probable, that the eye and the hand represent the two sets of faculties receptive and active, and together express man's whole nature. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:29

Thy right eye - The Hebrews, like others, were accustomed to represent the affections of the mind by the members or parts of the body, Romans 7:23; Romans 6:13. Thus, the bowels denoted compassion; the heart, affection or feeling; the reins, understanding, secret purpose. An evil eye denotes sometimes envy Matthew 20:15, and sometimes an evil passion, or sin in general. Mark 7:21-22; “out of the heart proceedeth an evil eye.” In this place, as in 2 Peter 2:14, the expression is used to denote... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:29-30

Matthew 5:29-30. If thy right eye offend thee If any person or thing, as pleasant and as dear to thee as thy right eye, should be a stumbling-block in thy way, and an occasion of thy falling, or should be a means of insnaring thee, and leading thee into sin, pluck it out With inexorable resolution: that is, give up and part with the beloved object. For it is profitable for thee It will be to thine advantage, that one of thy members should perish To suffer an apparent temporary loss... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:21-48

40. Legal obedience is not enough (Matthew 5:21-48; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 12:57-59)After his explanation concerning right and wrong attitudes to the law, Jesus gives a number of examples. He introduces these examples with statements such as ‘You have heard that it was said in the past’. This is not the same as ‘It is written’. Jesus is not quoting from the Old Testament but from the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. He is not contradicting the law but the interpretations of the law that the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:29

thy right eye: i.e. thy choicest possession. Figure of speech Hypocatastasis. App-6 . offend = causeth thee to stumble (morally). Compare Matthew 18:6 . 1 Corinthians 1:23 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 5:29

And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not thy whole body be cast into hell.The location of this verse in the midst of Jesus' teaching on adultery makes the meaning clear. Christ expects his followers to avoid gross sin by keeping the fountain of the heart sweet and clean. That this requires exertion, self-denial, and determination of heroic proportions is seen in the implied... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:27-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:29

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:29

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:29

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:29-30

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:29

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:29-30

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:21-48

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:29

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 5:29

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