Matthew 5:48

"If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?"

Key Reflection

In the context of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where he calls his followers to a higher standard of righteousness (Matthew 5:20), this verse highlights the need for genuine distinction in behavior. For the original audience—first-century Jews familiar with social norms and the practice of hospitality—the idea that merely greeting friends was common and expected, even among non-believers like tax collectors, underscored the necessity to go beyond superficial politeness. Jesus challenges his listeners to embody a deeper, more transformative righteousness in their daily interactions.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 48. Be ye therefore perfect, he concludes this part of the discourse by commanding his disciples to be perfect. This word commonly means finished, complete, pure, holy. Originally it is applied to a piece of mechanism, as a machine that is complete in its parts. Applied to men, it refers to completeness of parts, or perfection, when no part is defective or wanting. Thus Job (Job 1:1) is said to be perfect; that is, not holy as God, or sinless--for fault is afterwards found with him, (Job 9:20; 42:6) but his piety was proportionate--had a completeness of parts--was consistent and regular, he exhibited his religion as a prince, a father, an individual, a benefactor of the poor.

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