Matthew · Unlocked Literal Bible
Matthew 5 Unlocked Literal Bible
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
1 Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
5 Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely for my sake.
11 “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice and be very glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For in this way people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.
12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again? It is never again good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but rather on the lampstand, and it shines for everyone in the house.
15 Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light shine before people in such a way that they see your good deeds and praise your Father who is in heaven.
16 Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17 Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have come not to destroy them, but to fulfill them.
17 “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For truly I say to you that until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things have been accomplished.
18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
19 Therefore whoever breaks the least one of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
19 Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
21 You have heard that it was said to them in ancient times, 'Do not kill,' and, 'Whoever kills will be in danger of the judgment.'
21 “You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, 'You worthless person!' will be in danger of the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
22 But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
23 Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
23 “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
24 leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go on your way. First be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25 Agree with your accuser quickly while you are with him on the way to court, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
25 Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
26 Truly I say to you, you will never come out from there until you have paid the last bit of money you owe.
26 Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
27 You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’
28 But I say to you that everyone who looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
28 but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than that your whole body should be thrown into hell.
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.
30 If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than that your whole body should go into hell.
30 If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.
31 It was also said, 'Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'
31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’
32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress. Whoever marries her after she has been divorced commits adultery.
32 but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
33 Again, you have heard that it was said to those in ancient times, 'Do not swear a false oath, but carry out your oaths to the Lord.'
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’
34 But I say to you, swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
34 but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
36 Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
37 But let your speech be 'Yes, yes,' or 'No, no.' Anything that is more than this is from the evil one.
37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
38 You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
38 “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 one who is evil. Instead, whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
39 But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 If anyone wishes to go to court with you and takes away your coat, let that person also have your cloak.
40 If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to anyone who asks you, and do not turn away from anyone who wishes to borrow from you.
42 Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
43 You have heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
43 “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,
44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you get? Do not even the tax collectors do the same thing?
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
47 If you greet only your brothers, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same thing?
47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
48 Therefore you must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Cross references (48)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Mark 3:13; Matthew 15:29; John 6:2–3; Mark 4:1; Mark 3:20
- 2 Acts 8:35; Luke 6:20–26; Acts 10:34; Matthew 13:35; Acts 18:14
- 3 Isaiah 66:2; Proverbs 29:23; Psalm 34:18; Proverbs 16:19; Luke 18:14
- 4 Revelation 21:4; 2 Corinthians 7:9–10; Isaiah 61:2–3; John 16:20–22; Psalm 126:5–6
- 5 Psalm 37:11; Isaiah 29:19; James 3:13; Psalm 149:4; Galatians 5:23
- 6 Psalm 107:9; John 4:14; John 6:27; John 6:48–58; Psalm 145:19
- 7 Ephesians 4:32–5:1; Matthew 6:14–15; 2 Samuel 22:26; Matthew 18:33–35; Psalm 18:25
- 8 Psalm 24:4; Psalm 51:10; Hebrews 10:22; Hebrews 12:14; Ezekiel 36:25–27
- 9 Hebrews 12:14; James 3:16–18; Romans 12:18; Galatians 5:22; Psalm 120:6
- 10 James 1:12; 1 Peter 3:13–14; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Matthew 5:3; James 1:2–5
- 11 1 Peter 4:14; Luke 21:17; Mark 13:13; Matthew 24:9; Luke 6:22
- 12 Luke 6:23; James 1:2; Colossians 3:24; 1 Peter 4:13; Colossians 1:24
- 13 Colossians 4:6; Luke 14:34–35; Mark 9:49–50; Leviticus 2:13; Hebrews 6:4–6
- 14 Philippians 2:15; John 8:12; Ephesians 5:8–14; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; Proverbs 4:18
- 15 Luke 11:33; Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; Numbers 8:2; Exodus 25:37
- 16 1 Peter 2:12; Titus 2:7; John 15:8; 1 John 1:5–7; Philippians 2:15–16
- 17 Romans 10:4; Luke 16:17; Galatians 4:4–5; Romans 3:31; Romans 8:4
- 18 Luke 16:17; Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25; Psalm 119:89–90; Matthew 24:34–35
- 19 Deuteronomy 12:32; James 2:10–11; Matthew 28:20; Romans 13:8–10; Matthew 11:11
- 20 Romans 10:2–3; Philippians 3:9; Romans 9:30–32; Luke 16:14–15; Matthew 23:2–5
- 21 Deuteronomy 5:17; Exodus 20:13; Numbers 35:30–34; Exodus 21:12–14; Numbers 35:16–21
- 22 1 John 3:14–15; 1 John 4:20–21; 1 John 2:9; Ephesians 4:26–27; Ephesians 4:31–32
- 23 Mark 11:25; Leviticus 6:2–6; Matthew 5:24; Matthew 23:19; Matthew 8:4
- 24 James 5:16; Romans 12:17–18; Matthew 18:15–17; Job 42:8; 1 Peter 3:7–8
- 25 Luke 12:58–59; Proverbs 25:8; Luke 14:31–32; Hebrews 3:13; Isaiah 55:6–7
- 26 Matthew 18:34; Luke 12:59; James 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Luke 16:26
- 27 Deuteronomy 5:18; Proverbs 6:32; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22–24
- 28 James 1:14–15; 1 John 2:16; Proverbs 6:25; Exodus 20:17; 2 Samuel 11:2
- 29 Mark 9:43–48; Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5; Romans 6:6; 1 Peter 4:1–3
- 30 Mark 9:43; Matthew 5:29; 1 Peter 2:8; Romans 14:20–21; Matthew 18:6–7
- 31 Jeremiah 3:1; Deuteronomy 24:1–4; Matthew 19:7; Mark 10:2–9; Matthew 19:3
- 32 Romans 7:3; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10–11; 1 Corinthians 7:4; Matthew 19:8–9
- 33 Deuteronomy 23:21; Leviticus 19:12; Ecclesiastes 5:4–6; Deuteronomy 23:23; Psalm 76:11
- 34 James 5:12; Isaiah 66:1; Deuteronomy 23:21–23; Matthew 23:16–22; Ecclesiastes 9:2
- 35 Psalm 48:2; Malachi 1:14; Revelation 21:10; 2 Chronicles 6:6; Psalm 99:5
- 36 Luke 12:25; Matthew 6:27; Matthew 23:16–21
- 37 James 5:12; Colossians 4:6; Colossians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 1:17–20; John 8:44
- 38 Leviticus 24:19–20; Deuteronomy 19:21; Exodus 21:22–27; Deuteronomy 19:19
- 39 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9; Romans 12:17–19; Proverbs 20:22; Luke 6:29–30
- 40 Luke 6:29; 1 Corinthians 6:7
- 41 Luke 23:26
- 42 Proverbs 19:17; Hebrews 13:16; Luke 6:30–36; 1 Timothy 6:17–19; Psalm 112:5–9
- 43 Leviticus 19:18; Psalm 139:21–22; Galatians 5:13–14; Matthew 19:19; Romans 13:8–10
- 44 Romans 12:14; 1 Peter 3:9; Luke 6:27–28; Romans 12:20–21; Proverbs 25:21–22
- 45 Psalm 145:9; Luke 6:35; Acts 14:17; Job 25:3; Ephesians 5:1
- 46 Luke 6:32–35; 1 Peter 2:20–23; Matthew 11:19; Matthew 9:10–11; Matthew 18:17
- 47 Luke 6:32; Matthew 5:20; 1 Peter 2:20; Luke 10:4–5
- 48 1 Peter 1:15–16; James 1:4; Leviticus 19:2; Ephesians 5:1–2; Luke 6:36
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
It is wont to perplex many persons, Dearly beloved, that our Lord Jesus Christ in His Evangelical Sermon, after He had first said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven;" said afterwards, "Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men to be seen …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
See how unambitious He was, and void of boasting: in that He did not lead people about with Him, but whereas, when healing was required, He had Himself gone about everywhere, visiting both towns and country places; now when the multitude is become very great, He sits in one spot: and that not in the midst of any city or …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… be forgiven unto you; be merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again;" and once more, "Blessed are the poor, and those that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God." Chapter III — Expressions of personal unworthiness These things, brethren, I write to you concerning …
… eye offend thee, cut it out; for it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of heaven with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into everlasting fire." And, "Whosoever shall marry her that is divorced from another husband, committeth adultery." And, "There are some who have been made eunuchs of men, and some who were …
… like manner, they assert that the ten Æons are pointed out by the letter Iota, which begins His name; while, for the same reason, they tell us the Saviour said, "One Iota, or one tittle, shall by no means pass away until all be fulfilled."