Mat 5:43-47 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 5:43-47: 5:43-47 hate your enemy: Jesus is opposing not the Old Testament, but a traditional, though mistaken (cp. Exod 23:4-5 ), interpretation of the Old Testament. The “hate” clause is not in the Old Testament (but see Ps 139:21-22 ).

a5:43-47►

bExod 23:4-5►

cPs 139:21-22►

eDeut 10:18-19►

‏ Matthew 5:43-47

Summary for Matt 5:43-47: 5:43-47 ^a hate your enemy: Jesus is opposing not the Old Testament, but a traditional, though mistaken (cp. Exod 23:4-5 ^b), interpretation of the Old Testament. The “hate” clause is not in the Old Testament (but see Ps 139:21-22 ^c).
5:45 ^d By loving all people, Jesus’ followers would not become children of God; they would show by their actions that they are indeed God’s true children, according to his nature and will (see Deut 10:18-19 ^e).
5:47 ^f If you are kind only to your friends (literally, If you greet only your brothers): Jews were instructed to greet Gentiles for the sake of maintaining peaceful relations, but such greetings were not the same as those for “brothers”—i.e., fellow Jews.