What does Matthew 5:47 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 5:47 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, a famous discourse given by Jesus Christ that runs from Matthew 5 to 7.

In this verse, Jesus challenges His listeners to examine the quality of their love and the breadth of their kindness.

He points out that greeting or showing kindness to those who are already their brethren, family, friends, or those of the same social and religious group, is nothing extraordinary, as even tax collectors (publicans) do that.

Tax collectors were often despised as sinners and collaborators with the Roman occupiers in Jesus' time.

Jesus is pushing His audience to go beyond the normal social expectations of love and reciprocity, encouraging a radical form of love that extends even to strangers and enemies.

Historical Context

During the time when Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, Jewish society was highly stratified and there were clear divisions between different groups, such as Pharisees, Sadducees, tax collectors (publicans), sinners, and Gentiles.

Tax collectors were particularly disliked because they were Jews who worked for the Roman Empire and were often accused of extortion and corruption.

This disdain for certain groups created boundaries that were rarely crossed.

Jesus' teachings, including this verse, often turned social norms on their head by promoting inclusivity and love for all.

Theological Insights

Several theological perspectives can be drawn from Matthew 5:47. The most prominent is the radical nature of Jesus' command to love. This principle challenges conventional ethics by encouraging love without discrimination.

Theologically, it can be seen as a precursor to the Christian doctrine of universal grace, the belief that God's love and salvation are available to all, not just a select few.

Under the New Covenant theology, this teaching reflects Jesus' role in transcending and fulfilling the Old Testament Law, augmenting it with a law of love that surpasses the letter of the old law.

From a social gospel perspective, the verse emphasizes the practical manifestation of God's kingdom through acts of social justice and outreach to the marginalized.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Matthew 5:47 can encourage individuals to:

Expand their circle of kindness beyond family and friends. 2.

Engage with people who are different from them, whether racially, culturally, religiously, or socioeconomically. 3.

Evaluate the depth of their love and impartiality, striving to show the same compassion to all individuals. 4.

Reflect on their own prejudices and biases, and work towards overcoming them in their personal and community interactions.

Cross-References

• Luke 6:32-33: "For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same."

• Matthew 5:46: "For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, several key words stand out:

"Salute" (ἀσπάζεσθε, aspazesthe): To greet or embrace, usually as a sign of respect or affection. 2.

"Brethren" (ἀδελφοὶ, adelphoi): This term can refer literally to siblings, but also more broadly to fellow countrymen or members of the same faith community. 3.

"More" (περισσόν, perisson): Meaning "extra," "abundant," or "exceptional". 4.

"Publicans" (τελῶναι, telonai): Tax collectors or individuals who collected duties for the Romans.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, including the Roman and Jewish societies of Jesus’ time, reciprocity was the norm. One was expected to show kindness to those in their own circle, and there were often intricate systems of patronage and loyalty.

In contrast, Jesus' teaching here cuts against the grain of societal expectations.

Other religious traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism have similar concepts of universal compassion, like the ideal of Metta (loving-kindness) in Buddhism or the notion of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) in Hinduism.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific studies in psychology and sociology align with the idea that greater social and cross-cultural engagement can lead to reduced prejudice and greater tolerance. Such engagement is also associated with enhanced mental well-being.

Moreover, evolutionary biologists study altruism, a key aspect of Jesus’ teachings, as a factor in social cooperation and survival, suggesting that there are biological as well as spiritual benefits to an expansive and undiscriminating love.

Commentaries

Commentators from various traditions interpret Matthew 5:47 in diverse ways:

John Calvin saw it as an illustration of the imperfect righteousness of the Pharisees, stating that merely loving those who love us is a common virtue among all mankind and does not demonstrate the righteousness God requires. 2.

William Barclay pointed out the revolutionary aspect of Jesus' command to love broadly, which was a radical departure from the tribalism of His day. 3.

Theologian Charles Spurgeon emphasized the Christian's duty to be distinct in their generosity and love, surpassing the standards of the world.