Jesus uses an intense word picture to underscore the seriousness of adultery.  In later chapters He uses the same word picture regarding the corruption of minors.  Jesus is talking about exceptionally serious subjects; pay attention!

10 “…tear it out and throw it from you…”
11 “…cut it off and throw it from you…”

REFERENCE:  Mt 5:29-30; See also in different context Mt 18:8, 9 and Mk 9:43, 45, 47

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.   ²He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount: 

Mt 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’;  ²⁸but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT: See Result

RESULT:

Mt 5:29-30: “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you: for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

After Jesus concluded the sermon, two chapters later:
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; ²⁹for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
¹When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT:  “You shall not commit adultery,” is from The Ten Commandments found in Ex 20:14 and Dt 5:18.  Commands 10 and 11 are part of the same paragraph and refer to the senses of sight and touch in the context of adultery.  Adultery is the literal act of sexual intercourse with another person’s spouse.  Even with  today’s culture and values, most people have enough self control not to commit literal adultery.  Jesus’ command however, reduced the threshold for committing adultery (in God’s perspective) to the mere thought or intent of the heart!  In this light, pornography would fall under the category of adultery.

Jesus is not advocating that I maim myself in order to avoid hell.  He is graphically pointing out the seriousness of the problem.  If gouging out an eye or cutting off a hand would keep a person from hell it would be a bargain exchange!  But it will not work because there are an infinite number of ways to violate God’s Law and any one of them is serious enough.  James 2:10 states, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one {point,} he has become guilty of all.”  Perhaps a better solution will be to remove the temptation or to remove yourself from the temptation if either are possible.

While I am trying to keep this blog from being overtly religious, I will violate my conscience and insult your intellect if I do not to point out unavoidable and obvious religious implications at times.  This is one of those times.
Christian Perspective:  Adultery is a heart issue and only a change in heart will cure this malady.  Becoming a Christian means I have received God’s Spirit who is able to change my heart and help me to be resolute.  Becoming a Christian also means receiving God’s forgiveness because only God’s mercy is able to overcome His severe justice.

DEFINITIONS: Key Greek words in Mt 5:29-30

stumble: G4624  σκανδαλίζω  skan-dal-id’-zō  — to “scandalize”; to entrap or trip up

tear:  G1807  ἐξαιρέω  ex-ahee-reh’-ō  —  to tear out

cut:  G1581  ἐκκόπτω  ek-ko’p-tō  —  to cut out, cut off

throw:  G906  βάλλω  bal’-lō  —  to throw

GENERAL APPLICATION:   It may be impossible not to notice an attractive person when I see one.  However, my eyes do not need to linger on their form nor should my thoughts.   I will remove my gaze and think about something more productive such as what I can do to make my spouse happy.

If you are married and you see an attractive person, have some backbone and remember your vows!  For people who are already involved in an illicit relationship, Matthew 5:29-30 suggests that you act with immediacy and resolute finality to remove yourself from or to sever the offending relationship.

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

This command of Jesus is complex because it has five instructions and involves first century Jewish religious practices. However the command is still remarkably relevant today because at its heart the command is about reconciliation of interpersonal relationships. 

COMMAND 7: “…leave your offering …and go;”
COMMAND 8:  “…first be reconciled …and then come and present your offering.”
REFERENCE:  Mt 5:24

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain:

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  ²He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT:  A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount: 
Mt 5:21-23  “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ ²²But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be  guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother,  ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says,  ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty {enough to go} into the fiery hell.”
²³”Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you…”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:  “… leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

RESULT:  After Jesus concluded the sermon, two chapters later:

Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; ²⁹for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
¹When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT:  In the Jewish religion at the time, worship of God took place at the temple in Jerusalem. The worshiper would bring offerings of animals, food, drink or incense for various reasons to be presented to God at an alter.  Judaism no longer practices this ritual because the temple was destroyed in 70 AD and the temple was the only place prescribed for this religious practice. The principle that I cannot properly worship God without love for my neighbor also is still valid  because Jesus also said this:

Mt 22:36-40  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  ³⁷And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’  ³⁸“This is the great and foremost commandment.  ³⁹The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’  ⁴⁰On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Romans 12:17-18 states that I am to never pay back evil for evil to anyone and if it is possible, so far as it depends on me to, be at peace with everyone.  Without reconciliation for wrongs I have caused there remains for me a lack of personal peace due to a guilty conscience. The effect of a guilty conscience on the mind and body is not good. Stress is the result and long term stress contributes to cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and immunological disorders of the body and anxiety and depression of the mind.

But  reconciling with my brother is not only for my benefit, but primarily for his.  If he has something against me that I have forgotten until now, then he is likely to be upset or angry about it rather than me!  Reconciling is a humble act of love on my part.  Humility is involved because I must recognize and take responsibility for my part in the dispute.  Brotherly love is involved because I make the decision and attempt to remove the cause of anger and ill will from my brother for his benefit.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words with Strong’s numbers and pronunciation

leave:  G863  ἀφίημι   af-ee’-ay-mee   — to send forth; context implied meaning to depart from one place in order to go to another place

offering: G1435 δῶρον  dō‘-ron  — a present; specifically a sacrifice

go:  G2064  ἔρχομαι  er’-khom-ahee  — to literally or figuratively come or go

reconciled: G1259  διαλλάσσω  dee-al-las’-sō   — to change; to change the mind; to conciliate

brother: G80 ἀδελφός  ad-el-fos’   — literally or figuratively a brother (my personal belief is that this term is generic and equally inclusive of sisters)

come:  G2064  ἔρχομαι er’-khom-ahee  —  to come or go

present: G4374 προσφέρω  pros-fer’-ō  — to bring towards

GENERAL APPLICATION:   If I have wronged someone, consider the part I had in it and take responsibility for that part.  I may hope, but must not expect that they will admit to their part.  Consider seeking wise counsel before I attempt to talk to that person or persons whom I have wronged, especially if there  are legal or financial issues involved and certainly if there is danger involved.  If I am accepted then peace will be won for both parties.  If I am not accepted then I have peace knowing I have done all that can be done for now.

The next command contains some important instruction pertaining to this one.  I’ll post it next week…

Matthew 5 and Luke 6 begins Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In this discourse Jesus pronounced radical ideas for the time that departed from strict outward legalism in religion. He exposed hypocrisy and introduced the importance of inward attitudes such as mercy toward others, humility and personal peace.

COMMAND 5: “Rejoice and be glad…”

REFERENCE:  Mt 5:12 also Lk 6:23

RECIPIENT:   Luke records that Jesus had just chosen twelve of all His disciples to be Apostles.  Jesus was speaking primarily to His disciples while the crowds on the mountain listened:

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  ²He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT: The mountains and hills near Capernaum have broad level plains on them suitable for hosting very large crowds of people.  The command to “Rejoice and be glad…” immediately follows the series of verses traditionally called The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3 – 11, a very good read!).  The Beatitudes are statements of essential attitudes to emulate and the rewards granted for doing so. The Beatitudes end with these statements:

Mt 5:10-11 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
¹¹“Blessed are you when {people} insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”

Lk 6:17-22  Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon,  ¹⁸who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.  ¹⁹And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.  ²⁰And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say,  ²¹“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  ²²Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:

Mt 5:12a  “Rejoice and be glad…”

Lk 6:23a  “Be glad in that day and leap for joy… ”

RESULT:

Mt 5:12b  “…for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Lk 6:23b  “…for behold, your reward is great in heaven.  For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.”

After Jesus concluded the sermon, two chapters later:
Lk 7:1  When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words

rejoice: G5463  χαίρω   khah’ee-rō  —  to be full of cheer; as a greeting or farewell, to be happy or well off”

glad: G21  ἀγαλλιάω  ag-al-lee-ah’-ō  —  to exult, rejoice exceedingly, be exceeding glad

COMMENT:  The prophets of the Bible’s Old Testament were doing a good thing to warn the Israelite people of certain harm. Today, there is a saying, “No good deed goes unpunished!” This is too often true because even though many people like the good thing that you do. there will always be someone who does not.    If you are opposed in doing what is good and right, you should honestly ask yourself, “Why?” Consider the source and credibility of those who opposes you. Opposition from friends or neutral sources is cause for reflection and possibly a change in approach. Opposition from enemies is a good indication that you are actually producing a good result!  While it is impossible to know the motives of other people you can question your own. Are your motives pure? Are you right? How do you know you are right? What assumptions have you made and are they true? Are you obnoxious in your approach? Is there a better way? Ultimately, you have to be at peace with yourself. Trust that God will notice your good deeds done in the right way and for the right reasons.

GENERAL APPLICATION:     Don’t stop the good things you are doing just because someone doesn’t like it. Listen to their complaint. Take notice of who is opposing you.  Be willing to change your approach to be more effective. But, for sure, take cheer that they have noticed and keep up the good work!

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

Jesus stated this command many times and in different places.  Here He invited Simon and Andrew to become His close disciples.  The two of them knew John the Baptist, were already acquainted with Jesus’ teaching and were personal witnesses of His miracles.

REFERENCE:  Mt 4:19; also Mk 1:17
Also separate context Mt 8:22; 9:9; 19:21; Mk 2:14; 10:21; Lk 5:27; 9;59; 18:22; Jn 1:43; 13:36; 21:19; 21:22

RECIPIENT:  Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother

CONTEXT:

Mt 4:18-19 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁹And He said to them…

Mk 1:14-17 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, ¹⁵and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”  ¹⁶As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.  ¹⁷And Jesus said to them…

COMMAND FULL TEXT:  “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.“

RESULT: Mt 4:20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

COMMENT:  Jesus recruited two of His disciples after becoming acquainted with them over a short period of time.  In the first chapter of John’s book Andrew first became acquainted with Jesus when Jesus visited John the Baptist (Jn 1:40-42).  Andrew introduced Simon to Jesus and Jesus called him “Cephas” (translated Peter). Later in Capernaum, Jesus visited Simon’s home and healed his mother-in-law of a high fever (Lk 4:38-39). Simon and Andrew were fishermen.  Jesus used a fishing analogy to call them to follow Him as recorded in Luke’s book.  

Lk 5:1-11  Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;  ²and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.  ³And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat.  ⁴When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”  ⁵Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.”  ⁶When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break;  ⁷so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.  ⁸But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!”  ⁹For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; ¹⁰and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”  ¹¹When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

Jesus was inviting Andrew and Simon to follow Him with the new purpose of becoming “fishers of people” rather than fishermen.  Jesus’ invitation was for Andrew and Simon to literally follow Him and to learn everything they could in order to be witnesses of Jesus’ life and to teach others about what He did and what He said.  Their new purpose would be to spread Jesus’ teaching so as to make new disciples who would also follow Jesus’ teaching.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words

follow:  G1205 and G3694 δευτε οπισω  dyoo’-the  op-is’-ō —  come now behind

fishers: G231  ἁλιεύς hal-ee-yoos’  —  a sailor on the salt water and by implication a fisherman

men: G444  ἄνθρωπος  ä’n-thrō-pos  —  human beings, whether male or female

GENERAL APPLICATION:    Everyone’s life has a purpose.  The work that I do, the relationships I manage, the things I say are all important.  Jesus is saying that by listening to what He says about how to live and committing to do it then my life will be productive, meaningful and impactful.  For Simon and Andrew this command was to physically follow Jesus and to learn from Him. Their response had influence on others lasting millennia.  For me, the command might not be literal, yet I can still listen and learn and do what He says to have a positive influence on others lasting beyond my lifetime.

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

3 “Repent…”

The term has a religious connotation that used to make me think of rain clouds and depression while I obsess about everything I’ve done wrong.  I think about it quite differently now. I’m actually encouraged!  But rather than bias your thoughts with mine right away, I’ll let you read the info for yourself.

REFERENCE:  Matthew (Mt) 4:17; see also Mark (Mk) 1:15

RECIPIENT:  The people of Galilee in the vicinity of Capernaum

CONTEXT:  After Jesus was baptized by His cousin John the Baptist, John was imprisoned because he had offended the ruler of the land, Herod Antipas. (See Mt 14:3-5)

Mt 4:12-13, 17a Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; ¹³and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali…

^17aFrom that time Jesus began to preach and say…

COMMAND FULL TEXT:   Mt 4:17b “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.“

RESULT:

Mt 4:23-25 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.
²⁴The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.  ²⁵Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and {the} Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and {from} beyond the Jordan.

COMMENT:  John the Baptist said in Matthew 3 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” and , “He who is coming after me is mightier than I.”  When John was imprisoned Jesus validated John’s words by repeating them and began to fulfill them with action.  

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words – Understanding definitions removes ambiguity of the Bible text.

repent:  μετανοέω  met-an-o-eh’-ō —  reconsider past personal failures and think differently and to actually make changes

at hand: ἐγγίζω eng-id’-zō  —  to come near

gospel:  εὐαγγέλιον  yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on  — a reward for good tidings; a good message; After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the term was used to mean the message of Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross and bodily resurrection to procure eternal life for the people who believe the message and practice His teachings.

GENERAL APPLICATION:  There are thought patterns and behaviors in everyone’s life that are or can be harmful, and destructive.  Change is possible.  Take the time to recognize these thoughts and behaviors in yourself and make the effort to change the direction of your life while you can – while you are still alive!  

WHAT WILL YOU DO?  Please share what actions you have taken to overcome and to make positive changes.  Perhaps your experience will open the eyes of someone else and encourage them to make similar changes.  If you have comments or perhaps another application for this command of Jesus please share it here.  

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

© 2018 Christopher Carlson WhatJesusSaidToDo.com

“Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Continue reading →