Matthew 19:16-24 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Difficulty of Rich Entering the Kingdom

Matthew 19:16-24 – Difficulty of Rich Entering the Kingdom

|| Mark 10:17-25; Luke 18:18-25

MT19:16 And, look! a [young] person[1] approached Jesus, asking, “Teacher, what good shall I do[2] so that I might have everlasting life?”[3] MT19:17 Jesus told him, “Why do you ask me about some ‘good’?[4] [Only] One is ‘good’.[5] But if you wish to enter Life,[6] observe the commandments.”[7] MT19:18 This person answered, “Which [commandments]?” Jesus responded: “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false testimony,’ MT19:19 ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” [Exodus 20:13-16] MT19:20 The young man told Jesus, “I have guarded myself regarding all of these.[8] What more am I lacking?”[9] MT19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish perfection[10] leave and sell your belongings[11] and give to the poor[12] – then you will have treasure in heaven – and [then] come be my follower.”[13] MT19:22 But having heard this statement the young man departed very depressed,[14] for he had many possessions.[15] MT19:23 Now Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you this truth: Rich people will only enter the Realm of Heaven with great difficulty.[16] MT19:24 In addition I tell you this: It is easier for a camel to enter through a needle’s eye[17] than for rich people to enter the Realm of Heaven.”

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[1] A [young] person: Revealed in verse 20.

[2] Teacher, what good shall I do: Mark 10:17 adds, “… a certain man ran up and fell upon his knees before him and put the question to him: ‘Good Teacher, what must I do…’” He addresses Jesus as “Good Teacher.” Luke 18:18 adds, “… a certain (religious) ruler.” Therefore, a young rabbi. The Received Text (KJV) has, “Good Teacher.”

[3] Everlasting life: The Greek is ZOEN AIONION. Or, KJV: eternal life; RHM: life age-abiding; TCNT: immortal life; BECK: everlasting life. See word studies else where by researching AION or everlasting life.

[4] Why do you ask me about some ‘good’: This response has resulted in much commentary. If Jesus were “God” one wonders why he would resist a title with the word “good” in it. The Lesson of Eden is that only Yehowah can determine what is ‘good’ and this is not the responsibility of Messiah. Research the word good or AGATHOS (from which the name Agatha comes). Note that the Nazarene’s response is to point to the Ten Commandments and the Law. He does not originate his own philosophy.

[5] [Only] One is ‘good’: Or, KJV: none is good but one, that is, God; ASV: One there is who is good; KNX: God is good, and he only; WMS: there is only one who is perfectly good; ABUV: One is the Good. The subject is absolute or ultimate Good. No one would argue that Jesus was no a “good man.” Note John 7:12. Compare also how others are described as “good.” (2 Samuel 18:27; Proverbs 14:14) Jesus recognizes there are good people (Matthew 12:35; Luke 6:45; Romans 5:7). Surely Jesus refers to his Father, Yehowah.

[6] To enter Life: It may be argued that “Life” here is something like John 5:24 and 1 John 3:14. Thus “Life” means the new Life within the Realm of Heaven – the Church. Others will limit it to that future Life though both may be include.

[7] Observe the commandments: It is possible Jesus speaks to a young Jewish rabbi. Note the commandments Jesus lists. It will startle some what he has omitted in a list of his own choosing: the Name and the Sabbath. Jesus goes on to quote Exodus 20:13-16 then skipping back to Exodus 20:12. He also quotes what he calls late the Second Greatest Commandment: Leviticus 19:18.

[8] I have guarded myself regarding all of these: The KJV version adds: “… from my youth up.” Or, ASV: all these things have I observed; WEY: carefully obeyed.

[9] What more am I lacking: Or, NEB: where do I still fall short; BER: how do I still fall behind; WEY: what more is required. One wonders if there is some self-righteous hypocrisy here. However, Paul himself claims such rigorous righteousness or obedience to the law (Philippians 3:6).

[10] If you wish perfection: Or, KNX: if thou hast a mind to be perfect; NEB: if you wish to go the whole way; NASB: to be complete. To the Nazarene spiritual perfection will involve charity. See notes on Matthew 5:48. – Perfect: This is the Greek word TELEIOI from TELOS (= “end”) and may be rendered “complete, mature, fulfilled.”

[11] Leave and sell your belongings: Or, RHM: withdraw! sell thy substance; go and sell your possessions. Note how in Luke 12:32, 33 Jesus tells his “little flock” the same thing. Note their response in Acts 2:44, 45; Acts 4:34-37.

[12] Give to the poor: The man could divest himself of his possessions in any manner of ways: giving it to his family, hiding investments. Jesus gives no hint that he expects the man to contribute to him though never was there a poorer man on earth (2 Corinthians 8:9). The young rabbi must say goodbye to all his belongings – strip himself from material attachment and desire.

[13] And [then] come be my follower: Note he must do this before becoming a follower or disciple of Jesus. It is possible “follower” means a member of the Nazarene’s private entourage of apostles.

[14] The young man departed very depressed: Or, KJV: he went away sorrowful; NASB: he went away grieved; KNX: sad of heart; RIEU: in gloom; WMS: in deep distress; PME: crestfallen. We watch our Lord’s eyes as he follows the young man as he leaves and we note a slight expression of pity. We would like to know the future of this young rabbi. Did he follow later, become an angry opposer screaming for crucifixion, or merely indifferent. We wonder at his death what thoughts he must have had.

[15] Many possessions: Or, NASB: owned much property; NEB: a man of great wealth; BECK: very rich.

[16] Rich people will only enter the Realm of Heaven with great difficulty: Perhaps of all the teachings of the Nazarene this is the one most disliked by western capitalist society. While the world struggles to be rich Jesus warns of the great difficulty in such conflicting lifestyles and ideals. Compare the notes on Matthew 5:42 and Matthew 6:25. Or, KJV: a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven; ASV: it is hard for a rich man; MON: a rich man will find it difficult. Though the celestial realm of God is the final goal, Jesus makes it clear that it will be very hard for a rich person to become a Christian and gain membership in the Realm of Profession. Note Paul’s counsel to the rich at 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Throughout the Gospel Age there have been wealthy Christians who gave all to help others, while others used their riches to forward the Gospel message. Research the words rich and riches. In Bible terms “rich” means having a surplus (Mark 12:44; 2 Corinthians 8:14).

[17] Camel to enter through a needle’s eye: The Lamsa translation of the Aramaic has this ‘a rope through the needle’s eye.’ Some understand it is the difficulty a camel has in crawling through a very narrow gate to enter a city. It must get on its knees and move forward with difficulty. The Nazarene does not say it is impossible nor does he rule it out altogether. He just says it will be difficult for a rich person to give attention to discipleship while torn over riches. The conflict between love and greed is the struggle between self and others.

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Preceding

Matthew 19:1-2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: From Galilee to Judah

Matthew 19:3-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Grounds for Divorce

Matthew 19:3-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Grounds for Divorce – additional verses

Matthew 19:10-12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Celibacy

Matthew 19:13-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Kingdom Belongs to Child-like

Matthew 13:51-52 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Teacher Uses New and Old

Matthew 13:51-52 – Teacher Uses New and Old

MT13:51 “Did you [disciples] understand everything?”[1] [The Disciples] answered, “Yes.” MT13:52 So Jesus told them, “Therefore, every teacher[2] who has become a student[3] of the Realm of Heaven can be compared to a person, like a householder,[4] who throws out[5] of his treasure-chest[6] new things and old things.”[7]

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[1] Understand everything: Or, KNX: have you grasped all this; NWT: comprehend.

Jean Miélot, a European author and scribe at work

[2] Teacher: The Greek is GRAMMATEUS and is generally rendered “scribe” though some rendered it: TCNT: Teacher; PME: every one who knows the Law. The scribe was considered a teacher as well as a student sometimes. Search the word scribe or scribes.

[3] Become a student: The Greek is MATHETEUTHEIS. Or, TCNT: received instruction; PME: becomes a disciple; NEB: a learner. The perfect teacher is one who is also a life-long student.

[4] Householder: Or, KNX: rich man; NOR: master of a house. See notes on Matthew 13:27.

[5] Throws out: The Greek is BALOUSIN and is also rendered: NJB: brings out. But, there seems more enthusiasm in the word.

[6] His treasure-chest: The treasure are his own goods, the things he has saved. Jesus has used the word “treasure” in relation to the heart. See the notes on treasure at Matthew 6:21 and Matthew 12:35. As a student or learner (a disciple of Christ) each of these apostles has had truths stored up from the Jewish religion – laws, principles, doctrines, prophecies. Now each ones has new truths and news ways of expressing these from the Master teacher, Jesus.

[7] New things and old things: The New Jerusalem Bible footnote here reads: “The Jewish teacher who becomes a disciple of Christ has at his disposal all the wealth of the Old Testament as well as its completion in the New.” William Barclay writes: “There is something suggestive here. For it means that Jesus never desired or intended that any man [or, woman – editor] should forget all he knew when he came to him; but that he should see his knowledge in a new light and use it in a new service.” (Page 90) No person embarking on discipleship to the Nazarene can refuse to “throw out” in personal witnessing to others truths old and new.

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Preceding

Matthew 2:1-6 – Astrologers and Priests in a Satanic Plot

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 8:18-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Two Would-be Followers

Matthew 12:38-42 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Signs in Jonah and the Queen of the South

Matthew 13 – Parables on Kingdom mysteries

Matthew 13:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable: the Soil and the Seed

Matthew 13:10-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Why Speak in Parables?

Matthew 13:16-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Happy Eyes and Ears

Matthew 13:18-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Seed and Soil

Matthew 13:24-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Field and the Harvest

Matthew 13:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:33 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Fermented Whole

Matthew 13:34-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Manner of Teaching Foretold

Matthew 13:36-43 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Zizania in the Field Explained

Matthew 13:44 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Treasure

Matthew 13:45-46 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Valuable Pearl

Matthew 13:47-50 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Dragnet

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Additional reading

1. Priest, scribes and others with authority
2. Looking for True Spirituality 4 Getting to Know the Mind of Christ

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Related

1. Ic eom Bocere….scribe: translation of scribe in Portuguese
2. scribe: translation of scribe in Spanish
3. #Scribe (Helping Visually Challenged in writing exams)- Srikanth, Deepa & Team
4. ScribesFocus on Scribes
5. We should all be writing
6. How to Decode an Ancient Roman’s Handwriting
7. In search of the last word
8. Building the Library
9. A Mouthpiece for Jesus
10. #Scribelife
11. A Scribe’s Life (1): William of Malmesbury
12. A Scribe’s Life (2): John of Worcester
13. Jesus asks the Pharisees a question (Mt 22:41-22:41)
14. The summon of praying scribes
15. The Danger in Disciple Making
16. Today’s Scripture – May 1, 2018
17. Whitened Tombs
18. The Disciples Understood
19. Don’t Be Leafy, Be Fruitful

Matthew 13:47-50 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Dragnet

Matthew 13:47-50 – Parable of the Dragnet

MT13:47 “Again the Realm of Heaven may be compared to[1] a dragnet thrown into the sea[2] and gathering together every kind of [fish]. MT13:48 When the net is filled[3] it is hauled onto the beach. Then the [fishermen] sit down and collect the good fish into vessels;[4] but, the rotten [fish][5] they throw away. MT13:49 Just so it will be in the consummation of the Period:[6] the angels will go forth to separate[7] the wicked from among the righteous.[8] MT13:50 The angels will hurl the wicked into the furnace of fire.[9] There will be lamentation[10] and the grinding of teeth.”

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[1] May be compared to: There is something about the Christian Church which resembles a fisherman’s dragnet lowered into the world to “catch men alive.”

[2] Dragnet thrown into the sea: Or, RHM: a large drag-net; WEY: let down into the sea. Some calls this the Gospel Net. Jesus called his first disciples and told them they would “become fishers of men.” He commissioned his apostles to “Go and make disciples of people of all nations.” (Matthew 28:18, 19) Beginning with Jesus the gospel preaching “dragnet” – the great evangelical effort of all time – the Gospel Net has been fishing earth’s waters.

[3] When the net is filled: At the Return (or, Parousia; see notes on Matthew 24:3) of Christ and the beginning of the parousia-judgment. This is parallel to the parable of the Zizania in the Field (go to Matthew 13:37) as well as those within Matthew 24:45-25:46. At the judgment the dragnet will be filled with all those who professed Jesus as Lord as Christians throughout the Gospel or Church Age (Period).

[4] Collect the good fish into vessels: Or, TCNT: sorted the good fish into baskets.

[5] The rotten [fish]: Or, KJV: the bad; RHM: worthless. The Greek SAPROS is rendered rotten or corrupt and often applied to bad fruit of a tree (Matthew 7:17,18; Luke 6:43). These are the same as the “workers of lawlessness” of Matthew 7:21, 22, the zizania of Matthew 13:38, and the “goats” of Matthew 25:40-46.

[6] The consummation of the Period: See notes on Matthew 13:40 and Matthew 24:3. Or, KJV: end of the world; TCNT: close of the age; NWT: conclusion of the system of things. The Age or Period may be the Gospel Age or that time period of the generation that witnesses the Revelation of Christ (Matthew 24:34).

[7] Angels will go forth to separate: As in the parable of the Zizania in the Field. See notes on Matthew 13:39 and Matthew 25:31.

[8] Wicked from among the righteous: There are only two classes of Christians: the good and the bad. On the word wicked (search this word) see the notes on Matthew 12:35 and elsewhere. Note “the righteous” in Matthew 25:40-46. Search righteous for notes elsewhere. The difference between the wicked and the righteous is that the former are hurtful or unloving, and the later law-abiding and charitable.

[9] Into the furnace of fire: On this phrase search under Gehenna and fire for notes elsewhere (Revelation 20:13-15).

[10] Lamentation: The grief is before the throne of Christ and in their shame and reproach prior to being hurled into everlasting extinction (1 John 2:28; Matthew 7:21).

 

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Preceding

Matthew 6:1-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Leviticus 19:18 Continued 4 Treasures’ and neighbour love

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #3 Matthew 7:21-23 The ones Jesus never knew

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 10:5-10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus’ Orders: Territory, Theme, Trust

Matthew 12:33-37 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Judgment Day

Matthew 12:43-45 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Generation Seven Times Worse

Matthew 13 – Parables on Kingdom mysteries

Matthew 13:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable: the Soil and the Seed

Matthew 13:10-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Why Speak in Parables?

Matthew 13:16-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Happy Eyes and Ears

Matthew 13:18-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Seed and Soil

Matthew 13:24-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Field and the Harvest

Matthew 13:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:33 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Fermented Whole

Matthew 13:34-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Manner of Teaching Foretold

Matthew 13:36-43 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Zizania in the Field Explained

Matthew 13:44 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Treasure

Matthew 13:45-46 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Valuable Pearl

False teachers and false prophets still around

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Additional reading

1. Condemnation of the World and Illustration of Justification
2. Thanksgivukkah and Advent
3. Memorizing wonderfully 22 Jealous God not heaving pleasure in the wicked
4. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #4 Transitoriness #1 Prosperity
5. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
6. A Living Faith #7 Prayer

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Related

1. After curiosity…
2. Kingdom Treasure
3. Scripture at Sunrise 5.29.2018
4. Third Sunday After the Epiphany, Year B: Mark 1:14-20: Following Jesus
5. Following: context
6. Follow Me
7. The First Four Disciples
8. A Fisher of Men
9. Scripture Speaks: Fishers of Men
10. Fishers of men
11. Fishers of Men or ‘Fisher of Tzaddi’ – Righteous
12. Catching Fish
13. Cookie a day: Fishers Of Men
14. #24 Fishers of Men
15. June 13, 2018 “Fishermen”
16. Fishers of Men.
17. Fishing–no catch limit
18. Following: fishers of men
19. If You Say So
20. May 27 @ Luke 5-6
21. A Commentary on the gospel according to Mark – by Phillip Medhurst -c2
22. A Call to Freedom: The Vocation of the Apostles
23. Evangelism as a lifestyle
24. On purpose – Evangelism
25. Catch and Release, or Catch and Devour Pastors
26. Things that Won’t Matter Much on Judgment Day
27. The Difference Between The Christian and the World
28. The Immediate Judgment
29. A Gift and a Calling
30. The Just Judgment of God Part 2 – Romans Study 8
31. The Just Judgment of God Part 3 – Romans Study 9
32. Verses that Don’t Get Preached Much
33. Sin, Righteousness, Judgment

Matthew 12:33-37 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Judgment Day

Matthew 12:33-37 – Judgment Day!

|| Luke 6:43-45

MT12:33 “You either make the tree[1] good[2] and its fruitage[3] good, or[4] you make the tree rotten and the fruitage rotten. For a tree is known by its fruitage. MT12:34 Generation of vipers,[5] how can you speak good[6] when you are wicked? For out of the heart’s bounty[7] the mouth speaks. MT12:35 Out of the good[8] person’s heart comes a treasure of goodness;[9] and expelled out[10] of the wicked[11] person’s wicked treasure[12] comes wickedness. MT12:36 But I tell you that every fruitless word[13] human’s speak will be held to account[14] on Judgment Day.[15] MT12:37 For by your words you will be declared ‘Not Guilty,’[16] and by your words you will be accursed.”[17]

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[1] You either make the tree: An awesome thought. We make the tree – either good or wicked. Jesus uses the tree as a metaphor for what a person produces. He has done it already in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:17). John the Baptists uses the idea first. See Matthew 3:10.

[2] Good: The Greek is KALON and is generally rendered “good” though there is another word for such – AGATHOS. There is a shade of difference in the two words. It is something like the Spanish bueno as opposed to bein. One means “good,” and the other “fine.” These are words in English with wide ranges of meaning and only the context can indicate what is being meant. In the KJV the word occurs 102 times and is generally rendered “good.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance indicates other meanings: 1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable; 1a) beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent; 1b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends; 1b1) genuine, approved.

[3] Fruitage: An often used idea of the Nazarene. Compare John 15:1-10. To Jesus the greatest of the fruitages are: faith and love (1 John 3:23). Fruitage is proof of one’s heart or inner motives and agenda. Fruitage which is self-centered leads to wickedness. Fruitage which is self-less leads to goodness and love.

[4] Or: There are only two choices.

[5] Generation of vipers: Or, ASV: offspring; WEY: brood. Jesus uses the condemnation again at Matthew 23:33. He has in mind the Pharisees, not the average folk. Compare John 8:44. These are the “seed” or offspring of the original serpent (Genesis 3:15).

[6] How can you speak good: They have just accused Jesus of being associated with Satan.

[7] Heart’s bounty: Or, KJV: abundance of the heart; TCNT: what fills the heart will rise to the lips; KNX: heart’s overflow. Proof of the heart’s motive is the mouth. What does one talk about? What is the general subject of conversation? How does one speak of another? Someone in this audience has just uttered the word “Beelzebubel” as an accusation against – not Jesus directly – but what he has done, by the Holy Pneuma.

[8] Good: The Greek is AGATHOS and generally translated “good.” The English word is one that has scores of meanings. Here it means morally excellent or virtuous kindness. Good is something positive toward another. The morality of this Nazarene teacher rises to celestial heights. Though it often means what is upright and honorable, it goes beyond mere righteousness. Righteousness is obedient to law. That is, a law-abiding person. AGATHOS goes beyond the law to do a kindness not necessarily required by the law.

[9] A treasure of goodness: The Greek for “treasure” is THESAUROU, or that which is saved or stored up. It is not a matter of one act of goodness – but a treasure of goodness. The good tree has been growing for years from a seedling to a mature fruit-bearer.

[10] Expelled out: The Greek is EKBALLEI and is related to the word from which “exorcise” comes. Or, GDSP: out of what he has accumulated that is bad, brings out things that are.

[11] Wicked: The Greek is PONERA (PONEROS, PONEROU) and is also rendered: KJV: evil; GDSP: bad. The English word is related to “witch” and in its extreme forms means bad moral character, evil, depraved. The Greek means hurtful or malicious, so it is rooted in what is unkind and unloving toward others. The word has some range and the Nazarene, perhaps sarcastically, even calls his disciples “wicked.” Compare Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13. Consider what is involved in wickedness and how they all violate the Golden Rule: Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.” (Weymouth) Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, the evil reasonings do come forth, adulteries, whoredoms, murders, thefts, covetous desires, wickedness, deceit, arrogance, an evil eye, evil speaking, pride, foolishness; all these evils do come forth from within, and they defile the man.” (Young)

[12] Wicked treasure: As a person grows – like a tree – certain traits and characteristics are developing and evolving. Everyone has stored up something in attitudes and personality attributes. Some, however, have saved or stored up a treasure with a bent toward wickedness. Essentially wickedness is that character which is self-seeking, unloving, and without faith. It is the ego gone amuck.

[13] Every fruitless word: The Greek is AERGOS and rooted in ERGON (work) and means “non-working” or idle. It is a word spoken when one is relaxed, not on guard. A word revealing the true character. Or, KJV: every idle word; TCNT: every careless word; RHM: every useless expression; NEB: thoughtless word. The Greek may mean a word or a message. The word here in the context was “Beelzebul” directed against Jesus. This is not a mere slip of the lip for none are perfect in their speech (James 3:1-3; 1 John 1:8; 1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9). This is evilly motivated out of jealous hatred. Ancient Greek playwright said: “A man’s character can be known by his words.” Pythagoras offered: “Choose rather to fling a chance stone than to speak a chance word.”

“Beelzebub and them that are with him shoot arrows.” an illustration from the Henry Altemus edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, published in 1678. Illustrations by Fred Barnard (1846–1896) Blue pencil

[14] Held to account: Or, KJV: give account; NWT: accountable; NAS: render account. Jesus makes clear we will answer for every wicked word on Judgment Day. In the audience was someone who spoke an unforgivable word, “Beelzebul.” A name of accusation against the power behind the Nazarene. Now, surely, his error comes back upon his head to haunt him. Paul expresses something similar in 2 Corinthians 5:10; and, John does so in 1 John 2:28; 4:17. There are two outcomes for he Christian during the parousia-judgment: a clear conscience or shame and embarrassment (Daniel 12:2; 1 John 2:28).

[15] Judgment Day: See notes on Matthew 7:3; 11:22. Compare Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:12-14.

[16] Declared ‘Not Guilty’: The Greek is DIKAIOTHESE and is generally rendered “justified.” RIEU: acquitted; NWT: declared righteous. Note the basis for judgment by Jesus: it is our mouth. Surely a heart full of love will never speak wickedness against another. In the context before us the words are a horror: accusing another of being demonized or apostate (Matthew 5:22).

[17] Accursed: Or, KJV: condemned. It is the same word for “justified” above with the addition of the preposition: KATA-DIKASTHESE. The idea is “Guilty!”

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Preceding

The Nazarene master teacher learning people how they should behave

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 5:1-12 Nazarene Mountain teachings: Blessed and legal commentaries

Matthew 7:1-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Neighbor Love Continued 7: Matthew 7:1-5 Judgment and neighbor love

Matthew 7:12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Summary on the Torah’s Fulfillment

Matthew 7:13-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #4 Matthew 7:24-27 – Conclusion

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 12:1-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Something Greater than the Temple

Matthew 12:9-21 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Is It Lawful to Cure on the Sabbath?

Matthew 12:22-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: the Charge of Demonism

Matthew 12:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Blasphemy against the Pneuma

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Additional reading

1. Ability
2. Looking for True Spirituality 5 Fruitage of the Spirit
3. The giving and protecting God
4. Good and bad things in this world
5. Belief of the things that God has promised
6. Spread love everywhere you go
7. Growth in character
8. Let us become nothing, and Christ everything
9. Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness
10. Kindness

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Related

1. Using “Theocratic Language” with Jehovah’s Witnesses
2. The Love We Have
3. A plan of sheer goodness
4. Today’s Fragrance: Reckless Love
5. Today’s Word.
6. God Does Not Promise Teddy Bears
7. Today’s Thought: What Everything Hangs On
8. The Knowledge of Good
9. Showing Goodness
10. Fruit of Goodness
11. Goodness — God is pleased with the good works of his people
12. Speaking The Truth in Love
13. Why Spread Beauty?
14. Sin, Righteousness, Judgment
15. What do righteousness, sanctification and baptism mean?