Matthew 5:48

KJV

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be {G2071} ye {G5210} therefore {G3767} perfect {G5046}, even {G5618} as your {G5216} Father {G3962} which {G3588} is in {G1722} heaven {G3772} is {G2076} perfect {G5046}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Berean Standard Bible

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

American Standard Version

Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 5:48 stands as the powerful culmination of Jesus' radical ethical teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, particularly His commands regarding love for enemies. It issues a profound call to His disciples to pursue a holistic and mature righteousness that mirrors the complete, impartial, and benevolent character of God the Father, setting an ultimate standard for kingdom living that transcends mere external obedience to the Law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic summary of Jesus' teachings on righteousness in [Matthew 5](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"). Following His declaration that His disciples' righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees ([Matthew 5:20](/matthew/5-20 "Matthew 5:20 - Righteousness Exceeding the Pharisees")), Jesus systematically reinterprets Mosaic Law, moving from external compliance to internal transformation. The immediate preceding verses ([Matthew 5:43-47](/matthew/5-43-47 "Matthew 5:43-47 - Love for Enemies")) are critical: Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, just as God "makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" ([Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - God's Impartiality")). Thus, the call to be "perfect" in Matthew 5:48 is directly linked to the demonstration of impartial, unconditional love, reflecting God's own nature.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism, particularly among some Pharisees, emphasized strict adherence to the Mosaic Law as interpreted by rabbinic tradition, often focusing on outward observance and ritual purity. The concept of "love your neighbor" was generally understood to apply to fellow Israelites, sometimes implicitly excluding enemies or Gentiles. Jesus' teaching in [the Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount") challenged this prevailing understanding by advocating for an internal righteousness rooted in the heart and extending to all people, including those traditionally considered outside the circle of love. The idea of imitating God was present in Jewish thought (imitatio Dei), but Jesus elevates it to an unprecedented level, calling for an imitation of God's universal, unconditional love, even for those who are hostile.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 5:48 encapsulates several core themes of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus' broader ministry. Firstly, it highlights the **divine standard** for human conduct, asserting that God's character is the ultimate benchmark for His children. Secondly, it emphasizes **radical righteousness**, a righteousness that goes beyond external legalism to encompass the heart's motives and intentions, as seen in Jesus' teachings on anger ([Matthew 5:21-26](/matthew/5-21-26 "Matthew 5:21-26 - Anger and Reconciliation")), lust ([Matthew 5:27-30](/matthew/5-27-30 "Matthew 5:27-30 - Adultery and Lust")), and oaths ([Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Oaths")). Thirdly, the verse underscores the theme of **imitation of God's love**, particularly His impartial benevolence towards all humanity, a concept also echoed in [Luke 6:36](/luke/6-36 "Luke 6:36 - Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful"), which renders the parallel command as "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." This call to "perfection" is thus a call to completeness and maturity in Christ-like love and moral integrity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **perfect (Greek, _téleios'_):** This word (G5046) does not primarily signify sinless flawlessness in the modern sense but rather "complete," "mature," "whole," or "brought to its intended end or purpose." In the context of [Matthew 5](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"), it refers to a state of moral and spiritual maturity, particularly in demonstrating comprehensive and impartial love, mirroring God's own character. It is about fulfilling the divine purpose for humanity by reflecting God's attributes.
* **Father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** The term (G3962) refers to a "father" literally or figuratively. Here, it specifically denotes God as the heavenly Father, emphasizing a relational aspect. Jesus consistently portrays God as a loving and benevolent Father, inviting His disciples into a familial relationship that entails imitating His character. The call to be perfect is therefore rooted in the identity of God's children.
* **heaven (Greek, _ouranós'_):** This word (G3772) refers to the sky or, by extension, heaven as the abode of God. The phrase "your Father which is in heaven" highlights God's transcendence, majesty, and ultimate authority. It underscores that the standard of perfection is divine, originating from the supreme and holy God who dwells in the heavens.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be ye therefore perfect":** The imperative "Be ye" (G2071, `ésomai`, future of `eimi`, "to be") indicates a command for future existence or state, a continuous striving. The "therefore" (G3767, `oûn`) links this command directly to the preceding discussion on loving enemies and praying for persecutors ([Matthew 5:43-47](/matthew/5-43-47 "Matthew 5:43-47 - Love for Enemies")). It means, "Because God acts impartially and benevolently towards all, you, as His children, are to reflect that same completeness and maturity of character." The call is to a holistic moral and spiritual development.
* **"even as your Father which is in heaven":** The phrase "even as" (G5618, `hṓsper`) establishes a direct, precise comparison and a call to imitation. The standard for this perfection is not human but divine—the character of "your Father which is in heaven" (G3962, `patḗr` and G3772, `ouranós`). This emphasizes that the goal is to mirror God's own complete and comprehensive nature, particularly His boundless love and impartiality, which He demonstrates by sending rain and sun on both the righteous and the unrighteous ([Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - God's Impartiality")).
* **"is perfect":** This reiterates the divine standard. God's perfection is His inherent completeness, wholeness, and moral integrity, especially His unwavering and universal love. It is this divine attribute that believers are commanded to emulate, not a humanly achievable sinless perfection, but a striving for maturity and completeness in love and righteousness, reflecting the very nature of God.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 5:48 employs several powerful literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident in the symmetrical structure "Be ye perfect... even as your Father... is perfect," which clearly establishes God's perfection as the model for human aspiration. The command functions as a form of **Mimesis** or **Imitation**, urging disciples to emulate the divine character, particularly God's impartial love and benevolence. Furthermore, the verse can be understood as a form of **Hyperbole** when interpreted as a call to absolute, sinless perfection, highlighting the incredibly high and seemingly unattainable standard Jesus sets. However, when understood through the lens of `téleios` meaning "completeness" or "maturity" in love, it becomes a realistic, albeit challenging, goal of spiritual growth and transformation, emphasizing the boundless nature of God's love as the ultimate ideal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This singular verse encapsulates a profound theological truth: humanity's ultimate calling is to reflect the character of God. It is a summons to **imitatio Dei**, not merely in outward actions but in the very disposition of the heart, particularly in the realm of love and mercy. The perfection spoken of here is a relational and ethical completeness, a full development of the virtues that define God's own being. It underscores the New Testament emphasis on transformation into Christlikeness, driven by an internal renewal rather than external legalism. This pursuit of divine perfection is a lifelong journey of sanctification, empowered by grace, aiming for a wholeness that mirrors the Father's comprehensive love for all creation.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Be Holy, for I Am Holy")
* [Luke 6:36](/luke/6-36 "Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful")
* [Colossians 1:28](/colossians/1-28 "Presenting Everyone Perfect in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 5:48 is not a condemnation but an invitation to a life of profound spiritual aspiration. It calls us to recognize that our journey of faith is not merely about avoiding sin, but about actively pursuing a holistic righteousness that mirrors the very character of God. This means cultivating a love that extends beyond our comfort zones, embracing those who are difficult to love, forgiving those who wrong us, and showing kindness even to our adversaries. It is a lifelong process of growth, sanctification, and transformation, empowered by the Holy Spirit, where we continually strive to mature into the full measure of Christ's character. While absolute sinless perfection may not be achievable in this life, the command serves as a guiding star, reminding us of the divine standard and motivating us to press on towards greater completeness in our love, mercy, and moral integrity, reflecting the Father's heart to a broken world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to grow in "completeness" or "maturity" as defined by God's character, particularly in my capacity to love impartially?**
* **How does understanding "perfect" as "whole" or "complete" rather than "sinless" change my perception of this command and my pursuit of holiness?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to extend God's impartial love to someone I find difficult, mirroring the Father's benevolence to the just and unjust?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew 5:48 mean believers can achieve sinless perfection in this life?**

Answer: No, the Greek word `téleios` (G5046), translated "perfect," primarily means "complete," "mature," or "whole," rather than absolute sinlessness. In the context of [Matthew 5](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"), it refers to a completeness in love and moral integrity, particularly in extending impartial love to all, mirroring God's character as described in [Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - God's Impartiality"). It's a call to spiritual maturity and a lifelong pursuit of Christlikeness, not a declaration that one can achieve a state of being entirely free from sin in this earthly life. The New Testament consistently teaches that believers still struggle with sin ([Romans 7:14-25](/romans/7-14-25 "Romans 7:14-25 - The Struggle with Sin")), but are called to grow in holiness.

**How does this command relate to God's grace? Is it a burden or an empowering call?**

Answer: While the standard is high, the command in [Matthew 5:48](/matthew/5-48 "Matthew 5:48 - Be Perfect as God is Perfect") is not meant to be a burden that leads to despair, but an empowering call to spiritual transformation. It is through God's grace, made available through Christ, and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit that believers are enabled to pursue this high calling ([Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God Works in You")). It highlights the ideal for which we strive, recognizing that our ultimate perfection is found in Christ's finished work ([Colossians 1:28](/colossians/1-28 "Colossians 1:28 - Presenting Everyone Perfect in Christ")) and that our journey of sanctification is a process of being conformed to His image ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")) by the power of the Holy Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit")). It is an invitation to grow into the fullness of God's character, not a test of human merit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 5:48 finds its ultimate fulfillment and enablement in Jesus Christ. He is the only one who perfectly embodied this divine standard of completeness and wholeness, flawlessly reflecting the Father's impartial love and moral integrity in every aspect of His life and ministry. Jesus Himself is the perfect Son, who always did the will of His Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does the Father's Will")). Through His atoning work on the cross, Christ provides the means for humanity, fallen and imperfect, to be reconciled to God and enter into a relationship with the Father. Furthermore, by His indwelling Spirit, Jesus empowers believers to pursue this very perfection—this completeness in love and righteousness—that He commanded. We are called to be "perfect in Christ" ([Colossians 1:28](/colossians/1-28 "Colossians 1:28 - Presenting Everyone Perfect in Christ")), meaning our standing before God is perfected by His righteousness, and our practical sanctification is a lifelong process of being conformed to His image ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")) by the power of the Holy Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit")). Thus, the seemingly impossible command becomes a gracious invitation to participate in the divine nature, made possible only through union with Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 1:15

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

James 1:4

But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Leviticus 19:2

Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God [am] holy.

Luke 6:36

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Deuteronomy 18:13

Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

Ephesians 5:1

¶ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;