Larger Thought Unit
After the famous beatitudes, our section begins by focusing on the disciples’ place and mission. The context here is the prophetic role and mission of the disciples in relation to Israel and the Gentiles. Matthew cleverly ends this section by stressing the full force and sanctity of the Mosaic law as expressive of God’s will and that his interpretation of that law is in full harmony with it until it is completely fulfilled. Remember again the full context of this section as a law given directly by Christ to his disciples on his own mountain in Galilee.
Notes
Last Sunday’s reading ended with an appeal to seek God’s righteousness. The reference to this righteousness brackets today’s reading. The section on the beatitudes finishes with the following statement revolving around the persecution of the righteous ones: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5.10-12) The conclusion of today’s reading, which is an integral part of the gospel pericope, is: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (v.20).
Furthermore the connection with last Sunday’s reading can be found in the reference to “light,” which is the light that the gospel carries. The previous reading spoke of that light in conjunction with the life as mandated by the gospel. Here the light refers to the gospel teaching that is to be carried to the entire world—Jews as well as Gentiles. As Paul taught, the gospel to the Gentiles is nothing other than the word of God consigned in the Old Testament (Rom 1.1-2). That is why Jesus makes it clear here that God’s kingdom is bound to the Law and the Prophets, even its iota—the iota being the smallest of the Hebrew alphabetical letters. However, while the Pharisees teach God’s word but do not always live it (Mt 23.2-3), Jesus’ disciples are to do both if they want to be “great” in the kingdom, that is, to be seated in the seats of honor: “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (19.28)