Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:43

What does Matthew 5:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:43 means

Jesus introduces His final and perhaps most revolutionary reinterpretation of the Law, beginning by referencing the widely accepted understanding: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy." While the command to love one's neighbor is found in the Law (Leviticus 19:18), the explicit command to "hate thine enemy" was a common human addition, often justified by cultural practices and interpretations. This sets the stage for Jesus to unveil God's far higher standard.

Matthew 5:43 in context

Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes

Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.

  • Kingdom ethics
  • Inner righteousness
  • True blessedness
  • Light and salt

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You have knowledge that it was said, Have love for your neighbour, and hate for him who is against you:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Ye heard that it was said: Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and shalt hate thine enemy;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Ye have heard that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy.

Context

This verse introduces the final and most radical of Jesus' "You have heard... but I say unto you" contrasts. It sets up the traditional understanding of loving those close to you and disliking adversaries. This common, yet limited, perspective serves as the clear foil for Jesus' profound command to love one's enemies in the very next verse.

v.42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

v.43This passage

v.44but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Leviticus 19:18

    Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah.

  • Luke 10:27

    And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

  • Exodus 17:14

    and Jehovah said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

  • Psalms 41:10

    But thou, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me, and raise me up, That I may requite them.

  • Mark 12:31

    The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

  • Galatians 5:13

    For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:43

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:43 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:43 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:43 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:43 teaches us about light and salt

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