Matthew 5-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:40

And if any man will sue thee at the law ,.... Or "will contend with thee", or as the Syriac renders it, דנדון עמך , "will strive", or "litigate with thee"; not contest the matter, or try the cause in an open court of judicature, a sense our version inclines to; but will wrangle and quarrel in a private way, in order to take away thy coat , by force and violence, let him have thy cloak also ; do not forbid, or hinder him from taking it; see Luke 6:29 . The "coat", is the same... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:41

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile ,.... The word αγγαρευσει , rendered "compel", is generally said to be of Persic original; the "Angari", among the Persians, were the king's messengers, or those who rode post, and were maintained at the king's expenses; and had power to take horses, and other carriages, and even men, into their service, by force, when they had occasion for them: hence the word is used to force, or compel persons to do this or the other thing; the word אנגריא ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:42

Give to him that asketh thee ,.... To every man, Luke 6:30 whether Jew or Gentile; friend or foe; believer or unbeliever; a good, or a bad man; worthy or unworthy; deserving or not, that asketh alms, whether food or money; give it freely, readily, cheerfully, according to your abilities, and as the necessity of the object requires: for such rules are always supposed, and to be observed; and though all are to be relieved, yet the circumstances of persons, and their relation to men, are to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:43

Ye have heard that it hath been said ,.... By, or to them of old time. This law has been delivered to them, thou shalt love thy neighbour , with this appendage to it, or false gloss upon it, and hate thine enemy ; for the first of these only is the law of Moses, Leviticus 19:18 , the other is the addition, or wrong interpretation of the Scribes and Pharisees: wherefore the Jew F15 R. Isaac Chizuk Emunah, par. 2. c. 11. p. 402. has no reason to charge Christ, or the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:44

But I say unto you, love your enemies ,.... That is, as the Apostle Paul may be thought to interpret the words of Christ, Romans 12:20 . "If thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him drink": unless our Lord should be supposed rather to regard the internal affection of the mind; since outward expressions of love, by words and works, are urged in the following exhortations: the actions of a man may be hated, and just indignation be expressed against them, and yet his person be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:45

That ye may be the children of your father ,.... Not that any became the children of God, by doing things in imitation of him: for as in nature no man becomes the son of another by imitating him, or by doing the things he does but either by birth, or by adoption; so in grace no man becomes a child of God by the works he does, as a follower of God, but by adopting grace; and which is discovered in regeneration. Christ's meaning is, that they might appear, and be known to be the children of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:46

For if ye love them which love you ,.... That is, if ye only love such that love you; for that such who love should be loved again, is both natural and just: our Lord's meaning is not, that ye ought not to love them that love you, but that these should not be the only objects of your love; for should this be the case, what reward have ye ? or "shall ye have?" Do you deserve any thanks for your love now? none at all, it is what you are obliged to by your friend's love to you. Do you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:47

And if you salute your brethren only ,.... This does not mean salutation by embraces or kisses, but by words, asking of each other's welfare, and wishing prosperity and happiness to one another. "The manner of salutation among the wise men was this F5 Sepher Chasidim, fol. 5. Colossians 2 . apud Buxtorf. Florileg. Heb. p. 300,301. ; he that salutes says, a good day to my lord; and he replies, saying, a good, and long day to my lord: always he that replies doubles the salutation.' ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:48

Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father ,.... This perfection is to be restrained to the subject Christ is upon, love to men, and not to be referred to any, or every other thing; wherefore, in Luke 6:36 it is, "be ye merciful, as your Father also is merciful"; and regards not a perfection of degree in that, but objects and quality: that is to say, not that men may, or can, or ought to be as perfect in love, as to the degree of it, as God is; that is impossible: the "as" here, is not a note... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5

Christ begins his sermon on the mount, Matthew 5:1 , Matthew 5:2 . The beatitudes, Matthew 5:3-12 . The disciples the salt of the earth, and light of the world, Matthew 5:13-16 . Christ is not come to destroy, but confirm and fulfill, the Law and the Prophets, Matthew 5:17-19 . Of the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, Matthew 5:20 . Interpretation of the precepts relative to murder, anger, and injurious speaking, Matthew 5:21 , Matthew 5:22 . Of reconciliation, ... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:40

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:41

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:42

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:43

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:44

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:45

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:46

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:47

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:48

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5

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