Paying attention to the way Jesus speaks in the Sermon on the Mount can show us wonderful things:
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother[c] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[d] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell[e] of fire.
Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:27-28
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 5:31-32
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
Matthew 5:33-34
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5:38-39
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:43-44
In each of the opening statements, Jesus quotes an Old Testament Law or a bastardized form of it (more on that later) and instead turns it around "But I say to you..."
Bearing in mind that these are God-given laws in the Old Testament, it puts Jesus in a very elevated position. Where does he get that sort of authority to say "But I say to you."
No Old Testament prophet will ever speak like that. They will always begin by saying "Thus says the Lord".
Another point that the reader should note is that when Jesus is being tempted by the devil in Chapter 4, he always quotes the Old Testament by saying "It is written". But here he begins each statement with "You have heard that it was said."
There are some applications here:
1) Much of Christianity can be second hand. We rely on things that we have heard and said. What Jesus really said is of more importance. He equates the things he say with Old Testament Law in the end of the Sermon of the Mount
2) Jesus has authority. Lots and lots of it. The believer needs to trust this.
3) The Pharisees were bastardizing the Old Testament law. We have a responsibility to ensure that we do not fall into the same error.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother[c] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[d] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell[e] of fire.
Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:27-28
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 5:31-32
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
Matthew 5:33-34
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5:38-39
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:43-44
In each of the opening statements, Jesus quotes an Old Testament Law or a bastardized form of it (more on that later) and instead turns it around "But I say to you..."
Bearing in mind that these are God-given laws in the Old Testament, it puts Jesus in a very elevated position. Where does he get that sort of authority to say "But I say to you."
No Old Testament prophet will ever speak like that. They will always begin by saying "Thus says the Lord".
Another point that the reader should note is that when Jesus is being tempted by the devil in Chapter 4, he always quotes the Old Testament by saying "It is written". But here he begins each statement with "You have heard that it was said."
There are some applications here:
1) Much of Christianity can be second hand. We rely on things that we have heard and said. What Jesus really said is of more importance. He equates the things he say with Old Testament Law in the end of the Sermon of the Mount
2) Jesus has authority. Lots and lots of it. The believer needs to trust this.
3) The Pharisees were bastardizing the Old Testament law. We have a responsibility to ensure that we do not fall into the same error.
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