GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS: Mt 5,21-32
The Antitheses: Mt 5,21-48
Traditionally the six teachings in 5,21-48 are known as the antitheses. That implies an opposition between what was said of old and what Jesus is saying now. Following our reading of verse 20, you might like to consider why I think this title is unsatisfactory.
On an earlier page, we saw the basic outline of these six; that they all depend on the contrast between what was said of old and what Jesus is saying now: "but I say to you".
We can note too that the full expression occurs only for the first and fourth teaching (5,21 & 5,33), the latter beginning with "again". This divides the six into two parts.
In each case we look first at what was said of old, that is the Old Testament teaching. What then follows needs to be read in view of what Jesus said in 5,17-20
Anger: Mt 5,21-26
As we have noted, this teaching begins with a fuller expression compared with verses 27 and the even shorter verse 31. Who is the speaker being quoted?
We begin in verse 21 with the ten commandments: Ex 20,13 or Dt 5,17. For judgement, look at Ex 21,12 or Lev 24,17
"But I say to you" in verse 22: is Jesus more than an interpreter of the law? See 7,29
The introduction of the brother in verse 22 is a reminder of the most famous case of fratricide in the Bible which you will find in Genesis 4. This provides a good background for Jesus' teaching (Gen 4,5). See therefore how anger leads to murder.
Note the progression in verse 22. Translations vary but the point is the same. "Hell" renders the Greek word "Gehenna" - see 2 Kings 23,10.
Verse 23 then adds another note - sacrifice and reconciliation. For the importance of this theme see 6,12 and especially 18,21-22.
In verses 25-26, a second example of reconciliation follows.
Look now at my response.
Adultery: Mt 5,27-30
Like the previous teaching, adultery is one of the ten commandments: Ex 20,14 or Dt 5,18. See also Lev 20,10 and also in the Gospels, Jn 8,1-11.
For verse 28, consider Ex 20,17 or Dt 5,21.
For verses 29-30 see also 18,8-9.
Look now at my response.
Divorce: Mt 5:31-32
Look at Dt 24,1-4 for a fuller outline of the conditions for divorce and re-marriage in the Old Testament than is provided by Jesus.
Read therefore verse 32 in light of Deuteronomy. How is Jesus intensifying the orginal teaching?
Matthew has a clause beginning "except", see also 19,9. Compare this with Mk 10,11-12. Look at the possible background for this, which can be found in Leviticus 18,6-18.
Look now at my response.
The Sunday Gospel
The Gospel for the 6th Sunday is 5,17-37. This is a long reading, following the very short reading of the previous Sunday. This reading overlaps at both ends our reading on this page of verses 21-32. Presumably those who edited the lectionary wished to stress the last two teachings in the series by reading them together the following week, that is retaliation and love of enemies. As usual, what the Church wishes to emphasise this Sunday comes out in the reading from the Old Testament.
That reading comes from the Wisdom of Ben Sirach. The book is also known as Ecclesiasticus, the Church's book, due to its considerable influence on the Christian Church. The appointed passage for this Sunday is Sirach 15,15-20, but read the whole passage, Sir 15,11-20. What does the passage say and how does it apply to the Sermon on the Mount?
Look again my response.
Let us now move on to the second half of these teachings Mt 5,33-48.