Add parallel Print Page Options

47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?[a] 48 So be perfect,[b] just as your heavenly Father is perfect.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 5:47 Jesus’ disciples must not be content with merely usual standards of conduct; see Mt 5:20 where the verb “surpass” (Greek perisseuō) is cognate with the unusual (perisson) of this verse.
  2. 5:48 Perfect: in the gospels this word occurs only in Matthew, here and in Mt 19:21. The Lucan parallel (Lk 6:36) demands that the disciples be merciful.

47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(A)

Read full chapter