And if ye salute your brethren only what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?Matthew 5:47 Explainer ## Introduction - In Plain Language: If you only greet the people you already know and like, you aren’t doing anything special—those who are disliked or corrupt do the same. - Big idea: Jesus calls his followers to go beyond ordinary, in-group courtesy and show inclusive kindness that marks the kingdom. - Key points: - The verse challenges a limited, “only-my-group” version of kindness. - Jesus uses a common social habit (greeting/friendly gestures) to illustrate moral expectations. - “Even the tax collectors do this” highlights that ordinary reciprocity is not the standard for disciples. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Matthew 5:47 is part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). It follows Jesus’ teaching about loving enemies and doing more than the minimum expected by society. - Story timeline: Early first century CE, during Jesus’ public ministry in Judea and Galilee. His audience was a mixed crowd of disciples, curious seekers, religious leaders, and everyday people living under Roman rule. - Surrounding passage: - Before (Matthew 5:43–46): Jesus contrasts the common teaching “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy” by commanding love for enemies and noting that loving only those who love you is nothing out of the ordinary—tax collectors do that. - After (Matthew 5:48): Jesus follows with the call to be “perfect” (complete, mature) as the heavenly Father is, setting a high ethical goal for his followers. ## Explanation - Quick take: Jesus points out that simple social courtesy toward friends is not distinctive spiritual behavior. The kingdom ethic pushes us to extend friendliness and moral concern even beyond our usual circles—toward those we might normally exclude. - In Depth: - The specific action Jesus mentions is greeting or showing friendly recognition. In that culture greetings were important—public, observable signs of goodwill. Jesus uses a small, daily behavior to expose a larger moral point: if our kindness stops at the edge of our group, it’s ordinary, not kingdom-level. - By citing tax collectors (publicans) as the example of ordinary behavior, Jesus deliberately chooses a despised group. Tax collectors collected Roman taxes, often used their position for personal gain, and were socially and religiously marginalized. Yet even they greeted those they favored. Jesus’ point: don’t be content with the baseline of reciprocity that even socially compromised people follow. - The question “what do ye more than others?” (or “what credit is that to you?”) is rhetorical—Jesus wants the listener to feel the sting: being merely as good as the common standard is not enough for discipleship. The following verse’s call to perfection frames this as part of a larger transformation of heart and behavior. ## Key Words - ἀσπάζεσθαι (aspazesthai) — “to greet” or “welcome,” often with warmth and visible expression. - ἀδελφοί (adelphoi) — “brothers” or “brothers and sisters,” the community or people close to you. - τελῶναι (telōnai) — “tax collectors” (publicans), socially despised agents associated with Roman taxation. - περισσόν (perisson) — “more” or “something extra/greater” — emphasizing superior or distinctive action. ## Background - In ancient Jewish culture, greetings and hospitality were public habits that signaled relationship and alliance. Saying “hello,” embracing, or exchanging blessings were social currencies. - Tax collectors were Jewish people who worked for the Roman system; they were often seen as traitors or sinners because of perceived corruption and their role in enforcing occupation. Using them as an example is a deliberate shock: if even those people show ordinary friendliness to friends, disciples must exceed that baseline. - The Sermon on the Mount frequently contrasts common social ethics with the higher demands of the kingdom—this verse is one small but sharp example of that pattern. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - Kingdom discipleship calls for love that surpasses ordinary expectations—it is distinct and radical. - Jesus reframes holiness as relational behavior: how we treat people (not just our private piety) reveals our conformity to God. - The standard for Christian conduct is not what nonbelievers do; it is modeled on God’s character (see verse 48). ## Application To Your Life - For workers: Be willing to extend simple courtesies—smiles, greetings, inclusion—to colleagues you don’t naturally like or who are outside your usual circle. Small, consistent acts of friendliness build trust and demonstrate different loyalties than office cliques. - For parents: Teach children that kindness isn’t only for friends. Practical habits—saying hello to classmates, inviting a shy child to play, including newcomers—form character more than occasional big gestures. - For church leaders: Watch for insider-outsider dynamics. Encourage congregational practices that welcome outsiders and break down status-based barriers. - For seekers and new believers: Don’t confuse religiosity with true discipleship. Christianity calls for a widened heart in everyday life, not just belonging to a group. - Reflection questions: - Where do I limit my kindness to “my people” and avoid others? - What small, everyday act (greeting, inviting, including) could I do this week to go “beyond” ordinary kindness? - Short prayer: Lord, open my eyes to people I usually ignore. Help me show simple, surprising kindness that points to you. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” - NIV: “If you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” - ESV: “And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” - NLT: “If you only greet your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.” - Why differences matter: - “Salute/greet” is a stylistic choice; both refer to the same social action. - “Brethren/brothers/your own people” highlights the inward focus—some translations use gender-neutral language (“your own people”). - “Publicans” (tax collectors) in KJV is a historically specific term; many modern translations use “pagans” or “Gentiles” to stress the outsider status of those people in Jewish social imagination. The point is the same: even socially low or nonreligious groups show ordinary reciprocity. ## FAQs - Q: Is Jesus saying greetings are bad or that we must avoid family connections? - Short answer: No. Jesus isn’t forbidding greetings, family ties, or normal affection. He’s critiquing a limited ethic that stops at the edge of one’s own group. Greeting family and friends is good; the problem is when our kindness is exclusively inward and never extends outward. The point is to call disciples to a broader, more costly love that distinguishes them from merely ordinary social behavior. The following verses (e.g., “be perfect as your Father” and earlier commands to love enemies) show Jesus aims for an expanded circle of moral concern, not the eradication of close relationships. - Q: Why use tax collectors (publicans) as the comparison—what’s the point? - Short answer: Tax collectors were socially despised because they worked for the Roman occupiers and often enriched themselves at others’ expense. By saying “even the tax collectors do this,” Jesus uses a provocative example: if even those seen as immoral practice ordinary, friendly reciprocity, then doing no more than that is not impressive. The comparison forces listeners to see that the baseline of common decency cannot be the ceiling for followers of Jesus. He wants behavior that goes beyond the ordinary expectations set by a broken world. ## Cross References - Matthew 5:46 — “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?” (direct parallel, earlier in the same thought). - Luke 6:32–36 — Parallel teaching in Luke’s Sermon on the Plain about loving enemies and being merciful as the Father is merciful. - Romans 12:17–21 — New Testament teaching on overcoming evil with good and feeding enemies when they are hungry. - Leviticus 19:18 — “Love your neighbor as yourself” (background law that shapes Jesus’ ethic). - Matthew 22:39 — Jesus’ summary of the law: love your neighbor as yourself (applies to the wider ethic of inclusion). ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis: Most interpreters understand Matthew 5:47 as part of a rhetorical progression: Jesus contrasts common behavior (loving those who love you) with the radical love he demands. The mention of tax collectors (or pagans/Gentiles in some translations) underscores that ordinary reciprocity is not the hallmark of God’s people. Historic and contemporary commentaries emphasize that Jesus is raising the ethical bar from predictable social reciprocity to costly, counter-cultural love. The verse functions more as a challenge than a technical command about greetings. - Group study bullets: - Discuss a modern equivalent of “greeting your own” (social media, networks, neighborhood) and list practical ways to “greet” outsiders. - Role-play scenarios where showing a simple greeting or welcome could change someone’s day—reflect on barriers (fear, prejudice, convenience). - Identify church or community practices that unintentionally foster in-group exclusivity and brainstorm corrective habits. - Read Luke 6:27–36 alongside Matthew 5:43–48 and compare the imperatives and the pastoral tone. ## Related verses (to compare and contrast — and why) - Luke 6:32–36 — Why: Parallel teaching with the same challenge to go beyond ordinary reciprocity; useful to compare wording and emphasis. - Matthew 5:46 — Why: Immediate context; the pair of verses together sharpen Jesus’ argument about the insufficiency of loving only those who love you. - Romans 12:20–21 — Why: Paul applies similar principles—responding to wrong with good and not being overcome by evil—showing the wider New Testament echo of Jesus’ ethic. ## Talk to the Bible Try the “Talk To The Bible” feature to explore this verse further. Suggested prompts: - “Show me modern, practical ways to go beyond ‘greeting only my own’ in my neighborhood or workplace.” - “What did first-century Jewish audiences likely think when Jesus mentioned tax collectors here?” - “Give a short plan (one week) to practice extending simple kindnesses to people outside my usual circle.”
