5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Does it mean the scribes and Pharisees will not see heaven or that unless I were more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees, I will not see heaven?
Peace and Love
2006-09-09 08:33:02 · 18 answers · asked by digilook 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Let's look at the passage:
Matthew 5:17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Jesus hasn't come to set aside the impossible standards of the law, but to fulfill the law's requirement: perfection or death.
18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
A restatement that he is not eliminating the law, but completing its purpose.
19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Emphasizing that even though he fulfills the purpose of the law, the law is not nullified. The commandments are to be kept.
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Outward righteousness versus inward righteousness. In other words being lead not by staying within the law but by fulfilling it's spirit. The 600 plus rules of the pharisees were about not transgresing specific taboos, but they were not about character. Character is convered in Micah 6:8 "The Lord has shown you O man what is good and what is required of you: to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." These are motvations and attitudes not rules.
21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Again, it is neither kndness, nor charity to simply not murder somoene. Jesus expects more than that you simply not kill.
Most theologians will tell you that in accepting Christ his reighteousness becomes yours and you thereby exceed the righteousness of the pharisees, but that is reading later Christology back into what was clear teaching in context. The pharisees stay within the rules, but it doesn't make them righteous. Having an attitude of charity, kindness and understanding is required. It's not just refraining from killing someone's body, but also from killing their spirit with unkindness and cruelty. It's not just paying your tithes, but its helping the people that come across your path ( the good Samaritan for example). It's not just refraining from being a negative force, but actively making a positive difference. Read the earlier passages. He doesn't say blessed are those who refrain from war, but he says, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God." Jesus is preaching a social gospel of charity and active working for the betterment of all in a society of mutual caring and love that he called "the Kingdom of God."
2006-09-09 08:53:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It sounds worse than it really is, for to exceed the righteousness of the pharisee, all you have to do is to be saved. Once you are truly with the Lord, then you become the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. The scribes and pharisee were self-righteous, they are not in heaven.
2006-09-09 08:38:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jesus meant, I think, that the scribes and Pharisees were missing the point by getting all hung up on the LETTER of the Law while completely ignoring the SPIRIT of it. I asked about this before and got some great answers; if I can find it again I'll post a link.
Blessings to you!
2006-09-09 08:43:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The meaning is this; we must be perfect if we are to be justified before God. We must be fully righteous, for only to doers of the law will be declared righteous (Rom 2:13). However, as it is clear that none are righteous (Rom 3:20), God has provided a righteousness outside of ourselves (Rom 3:21). By faith in Jesus Christ, we have imputed to us his perfect righteousness, and our sins to him, thus, he bears our punishment, and we reap his reward (2 Cor 5:21). We are not justified by our righteousness, but by the righteousness of God in Christ (Phil 3), and Christ’s righteousness certainly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees (Romans 10:4, 1 John 2:1)
2006-09-09 08:53:11 · answer #4 · answered by rom9_16 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was being satirical. Jesus knew the scribes and Pharisees weren't righteous at all. Jesus had the harshest words for these people and in turn they schemed to kill Him. These scribes and Pharisees had head knowledge of God but no heart for God. For their appearance on the outside was clean but their inside (their hearts) were rotten. Worse yet, these people were supposed to represent God's holiness. Of course Jesus had hard words for these people, because they were not righteous at all. If you are saved or are to become saved then you will be given the precious gift of the Holy Spirit and then you will have power unto righteousness and seek after God's way. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.
2006-09-09 08:42:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Pharisees were legalists. They counted on their righteous acts to get to heaven. Jesus said that if you are going to live like that and try to earn your way in heaven, you better not have any sin at all. However, this is impossible because everyone sins so no one can earn their way into heaven. That is why Jesus had to come, because only He lived a perfect life and He gives us His righteousness through the cross. We just have to believe in Him and trust in His grace.
2006-09-09 08:46:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that no one can be righteous enough. The Pharisees obeyed God's Laws and that was not good enough. Only the Blood of Jesus washes away our sins and then God can enter our bodies. It is the Holy Spirit that makes us righteous in God's eyes. We call this being "Born Again."
2006-09-09 08:43:26 · answer #7 · answered by Apostle Jeff 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it means that you must be more righteous than the Pharisees to go to heaven. Remember the Pharisees were not well looked upon.
2006-09-09 08:38:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus came to fulfill the law & the prophets. When we confess Jesus Christ our LORD & believe in the atonement for sins & resurrection, The Love of God comes into our hearts. There is heart change.
The scribes and Pharasees had additional laws that were religious. Jesus said to love God & others and you will fulfill the law. Abiding in God's love & Word is God's will above any religious works. One cannot see the kingdom of God unless one is born spiritually of God. Those going to heaven are those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
2006-09-09 08:39:38 · answer #9 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the significance of this is seen in the fact that the Jews of Jesus' day considered these people to be the most religious in all israel. However, their religion was largely an outward show os self- righteousness. Jesus used a series of contrasts between the outward behavior demanded by the law and the inner attitude of the heart desired by God.
2006-09-09 08:45:26 · answer #10 · answered by use 2 b lost 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋