Matthew 5:38

"But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one."

Key Reflection

In Matthew 5:38, Jesus emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in speech by instructing His disciples to be straightforward and consistent with their words. The verse contrasts this simplicity with the complexities of legal retribution common in first-century Jewish culture, where "an eye for an eye" was a principle meant to limit excessive punishment but often led to harsh outcomes. By urging his followers to avoid any form of duplicity beyond simple yes or no, Jesus is advocating for moral clarity and authenticity, aligning with the broader theme of the Sermon on the Mount in calling for deeper spiritual transformation.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verses 38-41. An eye for an eye, etc. This command is found in Ex 21:24; Le 24:20; De 19:21. In these places it was given as a rule to regulate the decisions of judges. They were to take eye for eye, and tooth for tooth, and to inflict burning for a burning. As a judicial rule it is not unjust. Christ finds no fault with the rule as applied to magistrates, and does not take upon himself to repeal it. But, instead of confining it to magistrates, the Jews had extended it to private conduct, and made it the rule by which to take revenge. They considered themselves justified, by this rule, to inflict the same injury on others that they had received. Against this our Saviour remonstrates.

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