Dr. Tom Hover
March 23, 2025
Matthew 5:21-48
SIX CONTRAST TEACHING OF JESUS
SIX CONTRAST TEACHING OF JESUS
Matthew 5:21-48
The contrasts listed here in the part of Matthew 5 show the difference between what God thinks and what man thinks in regards to some vital matters of life. Christ speaks about six matters. These matters are prefaced by “Ye have heard that it was said” or a similar statement (Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, and 43). Christ is contrasting His teaching not to what Moses taught but to what the Pharisees and scribes interpreted and taught. Christ had no argument with Moses; His argument was with the scribes and Pharisees of His day who so perverted the truth in teaching the people. Many are still like them today. As we look at these six contrast teaching, we must not be as these Scribes and Pharisees who Jesus said: “have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. “Matthew 23:23
I. THE CONTRAST TEACHINGS ABOUT MURDER
Matthew 5:21-26
A.) The attitude about murder. Matthew 5:21
B.) The adjustment about murder. Matthew 5:22
C.) The action to prevent murder. Matthew 5:23-26
II. THE CONTRAST TEACHINGS ABOUT MORALS
Matthew 5:27-30
A.) The attitude about morals. Matthew 5:27, Gen. 39:9
B.) The adjustment about morals. Mat. 5:28, I Sam. 16:7
C.) The action to preserve morals. Matthew 5:28-29
III. THE CONTRAST TEACHINGS ABOUT MARRIAGE
Matthew 5:31-32
A.) The attitude about ending marriage. Matthew 5:31, Deu. 24:1-4
First, the requirement for it. Deuteronomy 24:1 “Uncleanness.”
Second, the resolution. Deuteronomy 24:1“Bill of divorcement.”
Third, the refusal. Deuteronomy 24:4 “Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again as his wife.”
Fourth, the reason. Matthew 19:8-9
Fifth, the repugnance of it. “He hateth putting away” (Malachi 2:16).
Sixth, the replacement of it. Matthew 19:8
B.) The adjustment about ending marriage. Matthew 5:32
C. The adulteration from ending marriage. Matthew 5:32
First, it is a goading to immorality. Matthew 5:32
Second, it is a guarantee to immorality. Matthew 5:32, Mark 10:11-12,
Luke 16:18 A Lot Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness Is Needed!
IV. THE CONTRAST TEACHINGS ABOUT MOUTHS
Matthew 5:33-37
A.) The attitude about oaths. Matthew 5:33, Leviticus 19:12
B.) The adjustment about oaths. Matthew 5:34-36
This does not mean we must not swear in court. Christ is not talking about legitimate oaths here but about oaths in casual conversation that profane God. Elsewhere Scripture exhorts to make oaths: Exodus 22:11,
Numbers 5:19 (21), Deuteronomy 6:13
C.) The action about oaths. Matthew 5:37
V. THE CONTRAST TEACHINGS ABOUT MEEKNESS
Matthew 5:38-42 The subject here is retaliation. So, we have called it the contrast in meekness, for meekness is just the opposite of retaliation.
A.) The attitude about meekness. Matthew 5:38, Exodus 21:24
B.) The adjustment for meekness. Matthew 5:39
“But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil”, “Resist not evil” is the basic principle to not retaliate. C.) The application of meekness.
Christ gives four illustrations for the application of meekness to help one understand the command “resist not evil” in the proper way.
First, the cheek application. Matthew 5:39, John 18:22-23
Second, the cloak application. Matthew 5:40
Third, the compelling application. Matthew 5:41
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Fourth, the charity application. Matthew 5:42
VI. THE CONTRAST TEACHINGS ABOUT MALICE
Matthew 5:43-48
A.) The attitude about malice. Matthew 5:43, Leviticus 19:18
B.) The adjustment about malice. Matthew 5:44
C.) The application about preventing malice. Matthew 5:44
First, the mouth. Matthew 5:44 “Bless them that curse you.”
Second, the manners. Matthew 5:44 “Do good to them that hate you.” Exodus. 23:4 Third, the mediation. Matthew 5:44 “Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”
D.) The attestation in preventing malice. Matthew 5:45
E.) The assessment about prejudicial malice. Matthew 5:46-47
F.) The action to prevent malice. Matthew 5:48 Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness Is Needed!
