True Righteousness in the Kingdom

Matthew 5:21-48

Murder and Anger (Verses 21-26)

Verse 21
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’”

Verse 22
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ will be answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

Verse 23
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,”

Verse 24
“Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

Verse 25
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”

Verse 26
“Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”

Adultery and Lust (Verses 27-30)

Verse 27
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’”

Verse 28
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Verse 29
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

Verse 30
“And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

Divorce (Verses 31-32)

Verse 31
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’”

Verse 32
“But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

Oaths and Honesty (Verses 33-37)

Verse 33
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’”

Verse 34
“But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;”

Verse 35
“Or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.”

Verse 36
“And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.”

Verse 37
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

Retaliation and Love for Enemies (Verses 38-48)

Verse 38
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’”

Verse 39
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

Verse 40
“And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.”

Verse 41
“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”

Verse 42
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Verse 43
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”

Verse 44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Verse 45
“That you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Verse 46
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”

Verse 47
“And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”

Verse 48
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Vocabulary

1. Reconcile – To restore a broken relationship.
2. Lust – A strong and sinful desire, especially for someone.
3. Oath – A serious promise or vow.
4. Retaliate – To take revenge or respond with harm.
5. Persecute – To mistreat someone because of their beliefs.

Grammar & Examples

1. Comparative Statements

   • If your righteousness does not surpass that of the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
   • If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?

2. Imperative Sentences

   • Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
   • Let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No” be “No.”

3. Conditional Sentences

   • If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.
   • If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.