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SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Matthew 5:17-37

Such was said to your ancestors; but I am speaking to you.

The Gospel 

Today’s First Reading, Psalm and Gospel all relate to the way in which we are called to live in right relationship with God and with one another. What is referred to as the ‘Law’ is generally used as shorthand for the Torah – the first five books of the Bible – which first of all establishes the history of relationship between God and humanity through the books of Genesis and Exodus and then provides detailed instructions about how that relationship should be honoured and observed. When Jesus speaks about the Law and the Prophets, he is deliberately including the extensive collection of prophetic writings that interpret the Law in terms of justice and right relationships with others as being a reflection of the right relationship with God.

By declaring that he has come not to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to complete – or fulfil – them, Jesus is making it perfectly clear that his ministry and teaching is in alignment with and in accordance with the historical tradition and he is not setting out to overthrow the Jewish tradition. Rather, throughout his ministry, Jesus repeatedly calls the people to be true to the teachings of old and to live them with integrity and dedication. His constant complaint is against those who live by the letter of the Law and ignore what we would call the spirit or intention of the Law. This is the root of his swipe at the shallow virtue of the scribes and Pharisees in today’s gospel. The criticism that Jesus levelled at these two groups was that their adherence to the Law made no room for the compassionate heart that the writings of the Prophets demanded.

Historical Context – But I now say to you…

There is a distinct pattern to the teaching examples Jesus provides: ‘You have heard it said …’; ‘but I now say to you…’. This was a common method of teaching in Jesus’ day and is often used as an example to suggest that Jesus was regarded as a Rabbi in his day. It is a typical rabbinical method of interpreting scripture. The rabbi quotes the teaching (you have heard it said…) and then offers an interpretation or reinterpretation of that teaching (but I now say to you). While it is an unfamiliar teaching style for us today, it would have been common in Jesus’ time.

Have you thought? – Teaching examples

Jesus cites several examples of the Law to demonstrate the way in which he has come to fulfil those teachings, rather than to abolish them. He reinterprets the teachings on killing, adultery, divorce and oath-breaking. When there is an attitude of observing the very literal meaning of law, there is a tendency to look for loopholes wherever possible. This attitude had become the norm in Jesus’ day. His reinterpretations are designed to challenge people to think about the law in a broader context and to take the law into their heart rather than looking for ways to get around it.

By Greg Sunter