Matthew 5:47

Matthew 5:47 (KJV) continues Jesus' radical teaching on righteousness, challenging His disciples to live by a higher standard than the world's conventions. This verse is part of the transformative Sermon on the Mount, where Christ redefines true piety and love.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' command to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). Jesus is building a case for a righteousness that goes beyond mere external observance or reciprocal relationships. He asks, if you only greet those who are part of your social or religious circle ("your brethren only"), what distinguishes your actions? Even those typically regarded as sinners, like the "publicans" (tax collectors), extend courtesies within their own groups. The implied question is, "What value is there in only loving those who love you?" (See also Matthew 5:46).

Key Themes

• Radical Love and Inclusivity: The verse challenges believers to extend goodwill and respect beyond their immediate community or those who are easy to love. It's a call to break down social barriers and prejudices.
• Exceeding Conventional Righteousness: Jesus emphasizes the need for His followers to "do more" than the world. Their love should not be limited by human divisions or expectations of return, but reflect God's impartial love. This theme culminates in the call to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
• Distinguishing Discipleship: A true follower of Christ is identified not just by adherence to rules, but by a transformative love that mirrors God's love for all humanity, regardless of their status or relationship to the believer.

Linguistic Insights

• The word "salute" comes from the Greek aspazō (ἀσπάζω), which means more than a casual "hello." It implies showing respect, expressing goodwill, welcoming, or embracing. It suggests an act of intentional recognition and honor, not just a passing acknowledgment.
• "Publicans" (Greek: telōnēs, τελώνης) were Jewish tax collectors working for the Roman occupation. They were widely despised by their own people, often seen as traitors and extortionists, and were typically grouped with sinners and prostitutes. By comparing the disciples' potential behavior to that of publicans, Jesus highlights how low the conventional standard was, and how much higher His disciples' standard should be.

Practical Application

Matthew 5:47 calls believers to reflect God's unconditional love in their daily interactions. This means:

• Extending Kindness Universally: Not just to friends, family, or fellow church members, but also to strangers, those with whom we disagree, or even those who may have wronged us.
• Breaking Down Divisions: Challenging biases and prejudices, and actively seeking to show respect and goodwill to people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and beliefs.
• Demonstrating God's Character: Our actions should visibly differentiate us from those who operate only on human reciprocity. Our love and respect should be a testament to the transformative power of Christ in us, reflecting the Father's love who "maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good" (Matthew 5:45).