For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.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.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.For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
3 sermons cite this verse
a reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 5, verses 17 through 37. Jesus said to his disciples, Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish, but to fulfill. Amen. I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, you shall not kill, and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. …
… For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Profound words. Jesus begins by saying, do not think that I came to abolish the law. It's as if he were saying, I know what you're thinking. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that I came to nullify the law. What does he mean by the law and the prophets? The Old Testament. The people of Israel, he assumes and knows, are considering him anti-Old Testament. That's not possible, however. He says, because I am the fulfillment of the Old Testament. …
… REQUIRED AND NOT ONE BIT MORE. GO BACK TO VERSE 20, JESUS SAID, FOR I SAY UNTO YOU, EXCEPT YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL EXCEED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES, YE SHALL IN NO CASE ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES DID EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE REQUIRED TO DO, NOT ONE JOT, NOT ONE TITTLE MORE. JESUS SAID, EVEN WHEN THEY TIDE, THEY PAY TIDE THE MINT ANICEN COMING. THAT IS, THEY'RE COUNTING THE LITTLE MINT LEAVES, ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, THESE ARE MINE, TEN, THAT'S YOURS, LORD. I'VE DONE MY DUTY. THAT IS IT. WHAT IS THE PRINCIPLE OF THE SECOND MILE? WHAT IS THE SMILE MILE? WHAT WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE? IT IS TO DO MORE THAN IS REQUIRED. NOW WHAT JESUS IS SAYING IS THAT ANY PAGAN CAN GO ONE MILE. HE HAS TO ANYWAY. LOOK IF YOU WILL IN VERSES 46 AND 47 OF THIS SAME CHAPTER, FOR IF YOU LOVE THEM WHICH LOVE YOU, HUH, WHAT REWARD HAVE YOU? DO NOT EVEN THE PUBLICANS THE SAME? YOU SEE, THAT'S THE FIRST MILE JUST TO LOVE THOSE THAT LOVE US. AND IF YOU SOLUTE YOUR BRETHREN ONLY, THAT IS, IF YOU'RE FRIENDLY TO PEOPLE THAT YOU KNOW AND LOVE, HUH, HUH, WHAT DO YOU MORE THAN OTHERS? YOU'VE ONLY GONE A MILE. DO NOT EVEN THE Republicans the same. Now what Jesus is saying is that we who are children of God are different. We're not legalists. We're not, uh, lost, …