Matthew
5:38-48
With thanks to page sponsor:
Rev. Marilyn K. Levine
New Town United Church of Christ, New Town, ND
Ft. Berthold Indian Reservation
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- Chapter III, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer Version only - 4th cent interpolation)
- Chapter XII The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, Polycarp of Smyrna (c 115).
- Chapter XV, The First Apology of Justin Martyr. (c 150)
- IX, 6-10, 12-15, 20-21; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
- Chapter XI, Chapter XII, Apology for the Christians, Athenagoras of Athens. (c 177)
- II.XXII.2, III.XVIII.5, 6, III.XXV.4, IV.XIII.3, IV.XXXIV.4, IV.XXXVI.6, V.II.2, V.XXVII.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter XXXI, Apology, Tertullian (c. 198)
- Chapter III, On Prayer, Tertullian (c. 199)
- I.8, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- II.18, III.6, IV.14, V.3, VI.3, VI.12, VII.13, VII.14, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- Chapter VI, Chapter VII, Chapter VIII, On Patience, Tertullian (c. 202)
- II.1, On The Apparel of Women, Tertullian (c. 202)
- I.24, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 207)
- II.17, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208)
- Chapter XLVII, On the Soul, Tertullian (c 210)
- IV.36, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
- Chapter VI, Exhortation to Chastity, Tertullian (c. 210)
- Chapter XXI, On Idolatry, Tertullian (c. 211)
- Chapter XXVI, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, Tertullian (c. 211)
- Concerning Flight in Persecution (paragraph 13) Tertullian (c. 212)
- Chapter XI, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
- II.IV.1, III.I.6, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
- V.II, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
- I.11, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
- IV.Summary.37, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen / Rufinus (c.230)
- IV.XXVIII, IV.XXIX, VII.XXV, VII.LXI, VIII.XXXV (text at CCEL has this chapter incorrectly identified as XXV), Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
- XIV.8, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
- On the Advantage of Patience -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
- Augustine: "Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount." (Book I, Part I.)
- Homily XVIII - Matthew 5:38-40, Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, St. Chrysostom (c. 380)
- Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, John Calvin, 1558:
- From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
- From Wesley's Notes.
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary, Matthew 5:38-48, Karoline Lewis, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
- "This section of the Sermon on the Mount is a more than fitting text for the final Sunday in Epiphany."
- "Telos," David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2017.
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
- "Be Perfect," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2017.
- Commentary, Matthew 5:38-48 | Eric Paul | A Plain Account, 2017
- "But Wesleyan-Holiness folk do not define our humanness by way of our fallenness. We do not sin because we are human. We sin because we are not yet human enough."
- "That's Unfair!" Glenn Monson, Law & Gospel Everywhere, 2017.
- "Praying for Enemies," Melissa Bane Sevier, Contemplative Viewfinder, 2017.
- "Getting Specific," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2016.
- ""Loving your neighbor as yourself" means that we are to be constantly striving to give the same generosity to others that we've received so freely from God."
- "Being Perfect," Janet H Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2017.
- "The Grace of Perfection," Andrew Prior, One Man's Web, 2017.
- Commentary, Matthew 5:38-48, Carla Works, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
- "Clearly the kingdom of heaven does not operate like the kingdoms of this world. How will we know when we see God’s kingdom? When anger results in reconciliation rather than retaliation God must be at work. When enemies are overcome by love rather than violence God’s reign is present."
- "How To Be Perfect," Eric Baretto, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2014. Video: Winter Olympics in Sochi - What do you think?
- "Be Perfect As Nature Is Perfect," D Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2014.
- "The Revolution Starts Here," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2014.
- The Face of the Enemy, Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2014.
- "It is in loving our enemy that the enemy is unmasked."
- "Relational Perfection," Russell Rathbun, Question the Text, 2014.
- "If you are not poor in spirit at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, you certainly will be by the end."
- The Lectionary Lab, Epiphany 7, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2014. Lectionary Lab Live podcast.
- "A Love Like Sunshine?" Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2014.
- "Jesus' teachings in these texts introduce us to that change agent -- the love of God -- as indiscriminate and life-giving as the sun that shines on all the inhabitants of the earth."
- "Being Perfect," Janet H. Hunt, 2014.
- "What do you think Jesus means when he says we are to 'be perfect' as God is perfect?"
- "How to Resist," Christopher Burkett, PreacherRhetorica, 2014.
- "As Good As It Gets," David F. Sellery, 2014.
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
- Comentario del San Mateo 5:38-48, Dana K. Nelson, Working Preacher, 2014.
- "Integrity," Alan Brehm,The Waking Dreamer.
- "Integrity is what happens when our lives are integrated; when who we are and what we do match. Integrity is what happens when what we believe translates into how we live. That's how we live out God's generous and unrestricted grace and mercy and love in our relationships with those around us."
- "Enemy," Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark.
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
- Commentary, Matthew 5:38-48, Emerson Powery, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
- "It is from Jesus' words (and his exposure to the practices of Mahatma Gandhi) that Martin Luther King, Jr. developed the practice of non-violence as a means of effective protest."
- Love Your Enemies and Pray for Them, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2011.
- "What do you want? A medal?" Neil Chappell, aweirdthing, 2011.
- "That’s why we are reminded so vividly that when someone takes advantage of us it is the moment to practice the servant life. You know, when someone’s being a bit cheeky, or taking a liberty, pushing our patience, it’s time for a pause, a deep breath, a quiet prayer and the audacity to live generously."
- "Perfect," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2011.
- "So what difference might it make, Working Preacher, if we took this interpretive tack with this passage: urging our people to live into their God-given identity as the blessed and beloved children of God who, really knowing and believing and feeling they are loved, might then be able to love others as children of the kingdom?"
- "Is Radical Resistance Possible?" Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2011.
- " Is the Sermon on the Mount practicable or is it an impossibility that turns us to the grace of God?
- "Sketchy Scenes," Alyce McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, Patheos, 2011.
- "When I hear the teachings about loving our enemies and turning the other cheek, I feel discouraged. What is Jesus really getting at in such 'extreme' scenes?"
- Lectionary Blogging, Epiphany 7, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2011.
- " Walter Wink makes the case that antistenai has to do with violence. The word is formed from anti--"against"--and stenai--"to stand." Literally, the word means "stand against" or "withstand." Wink notes its repeated use in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) as a word for "warfare." Likewise, it appears in Ephesians in a context of warfare (6:13). Josephus, writing in the time of Jesus, continually uses antistenai to mean armed struggle.
- "What Dignity," John van de Laar, Sacredise, 2011.
- "If you miss every other film this year, don’t miss The King’s Speech. It tells the riveting story of the lead up to King George VI’s declaration of war on Germany on 3 September 1939..."
- "First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Epiphany 7," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "'Perfect' is not flawless, unstained purity, but integrity and truth."
- Holy
Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Matthew5:38-48, David Ewart, 2011.
- "Matthew 5:38-41 has a tragic history of poor translations and even worse interpretations. This passage is NOT recommending becoming a doormat; nor does it tolerate domestic violence. The translation, 'Do not resist an evildoer' fails to convey the full meaning of the underlying Greek. It would be better translated as, 'Do not violently resist an evildoer.' Thus the teaching is primarily about non-violence. It is not about acquiescing to evil. Jesus then goes on to offer three quick examples of how to non-violently resist an evildoer."
- "Blueprint for Living," Justin Tull, Patheos, 2011.
- Evangelio, San Mateo 5:38-48, Emerson Powery, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
- "Es de las palabras de Jesús (y su exposición a las prácticas de Mahatma Gandhi) que Martin Luther King, Jr., desarrolló la práctica de la no violencia como medio de protesta efectiva."
- "Matthew 5:38-48, The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany," Let Your Light Shine: The Sermon on the Mount in Epiphany, David L. Tiede, Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1984.
- "Frodo's Forgiveness," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Inklings of Glory," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
-
"The End in Matthew (5:48 and 28:20): How to Preach It and How Not To,"
Robert H. Smith,
Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern
Theological School, 1999.
- "These two great texts are perfect guides for all our reading, all our preaching, all our living."
- "Just Peacemaking," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Peace and War," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
- "Love for Enemies," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- "The Fatal Failures of Religion: #2 Legalism," from the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- "Beyond Just War and Pacifism: Jesus' Nonviolent Way," Walter Wink.
- "Sermon on the Mount," wikipedia.
- "Sermon on the Mount," multiple articles and resources, Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
-
"Matthew's Nonviolent Jesus and Violent Parables," Barbara E. Reid,
O.P., (other resources at)
"Parables," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian
Ethics at Baylor University, 2006.
- "Jesus' Sermon on the Mount instructs us to not return violence for violence; instead we should be like God, who offers boundless, gratuitous love to all. But in the same Gospel Jesus tells eight parables in which God deals violently with evildoers. Which of the divine ways are we to imitate?"
- "The Old Testament in the New: A Jewish Perspective," David Daube, in Appeasement or Resistance and Other Essays on New Testament Judaism. University of California Press, 1987. (Scroll down to "IV - Eye for Eye.)
- Commentary, Matthew 5:38-48, Karoline Lewis, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Carter, Warren, "Love Your Enemies," Word & World,
2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Haggmark, Steven A., "Islam as an Enemy? A Study in
the Social Construction of 'Realities,'" Word & World, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hess, Mary, "Resisting the Human Need for Enemies, or
What Would Harry Potter Do?" Word & World, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2011. (Section on this text begins on page 61)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial - Horsley, Richard A., "Ethics and Exegesis: 'Love Your Enemies' and the Doctrine of Non-Violence,," Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 1986.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial - Klouda, Sheri L., "Applying Fishbane's Hermeneutical Strategies: Aggadic Exegesis in Matthew's Use of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:21-48)," Southwestern Journal of Theology, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Metzger, Paul Louis, "Christ,
Culture, and the Sermon on the Mount Community," Ex Auditu, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials- Pak, G. Sujin, "Response to Metzger," Ex
Auditu, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Pak, G. Sujin, "Response to Metzger," Ex
Auditu, 2008.
- Neyrey, Jerome H., S.J.,
"God, Benefactor and Patron: The Major Cultural Model for Interpreting the
Deity in Greco-Roman Antiquity," Journal for the Study of the New
Testament, 2005.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Powery, Emerson, "Under the Gaze of
the Empire: Who Is My Neighbor?" Interpretation, 19:18.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Rausch, Jerome William., "The Principal of Nonresistance and Love of Enemy in Matthew 5:38-48," Catholic Biblical Quarterly,
1966.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Simpson, Gary M., "'Changing the Face of the Enemy':
Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Beloved Community," Word & World,
2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Stassen, Glen H.,
"The Fourteen Triads of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-7:12),"
Journal of Biblical Literature, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Taylor, Barbara Brown, "The Dominion
of Love," Journal for Preachers, 2008. (Sermon - Genesis 1:24-31;
Matthew 5:43-48)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Westerholm, Stephen, "The Law in the Sermon on the Mount: Matt 5:17-48," Criswell Theological Review, 1992.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial - Willimon, William H.,
"Between Text and Sermon: Matthew 5:43-48," Interpretation, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Carter, Warren, "Love Your Enemies," Word & World,
2008.
- Sermons:
- "War and Peace: Iraq, A Just War?" Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle.
- "Independence Day," the Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Day 1, 2000.
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily.
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Epiphany 7, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
- "Sermon on the Mount," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "Go the Extra Mile," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
- "Love Your Enemies," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- Drama:
- "Turning the Other Cheek," Cherry Grove Baptist Church, dramatix.
- "Super Secret Sisters," Glenn A. Hascall, dramatix.
- "Loving Your Enemy," Michael English, Milton Parish Church Drama Resources.
- "The Blind and the Toothless," Michael English, Milton Parish Church Drama Resources.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art Images: Matthew 5:38-48, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 5:43-48, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
- Hymns and Music:
- “Up On a Mountaintop” Text: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Tune: Slane 10.10.10.10 (“Be Thou My Vision”) This hymn is part of "The Sermon on the Mount: A Worship Service of Lessons and Songs."
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Matthew
