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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/5-47.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/40_Mat_05_47.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 5:47 - Love Your Enemies" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? 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Do not even pagans do that? <a href="/nlt/matthew/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. <a href="/esv/matthew/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And if you greet only your brothers, what extraordinary are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/kjv/matthew/5.htm">King James Bible</a> And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? <a href="/nkjv/matthew/5.htm">New King James Version</a> And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? <a href="/nasb_/matthew/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? <a href="/nasb/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/nasb77/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/lsb/matthew/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/amp/matthew/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? <a href="/csb/matthew/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/hcsb/matthew/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don&#8217t even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/asv/matthew/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? <a href="/cev/matthew/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If you greet only your friends, what's so great about this? Don't even unbelievers do that? <a href="/erv/matthew/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? <a href="/gwt/matthew/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Are you doing anything remarkable if you welcome only your friends? Everyone does that! <a href="/gnt/matthew/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> And if you speak only to your friends, have you done anything out of the ordinary? Even the pagans do that! <a href="/isv/matthew/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> And if you greet only your relatives, that's no great thing you're doing, is it? Even the unbelievers do the same, don't they? <a href="/msb/matthew/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And if you greet only your friends, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? <a href="/net/matthew/5.htm">NET Bible</a> And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don't they? <a href="/nheb/matthew/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do than others? Do not even the non-Jews do the same? <a href="/wbt/matthew/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if you salute only your near relatives, what praise is due to you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/web/matthew/5.htm">World English Bible</a> If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And if you may greet your brothers only, what do you do abundant? Do the nations not also do so? <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And if you greet only your brothers, what extraordinary are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/ylt/matthew/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and if ye may salute your brethren only, what do ye abundant? do not also the tax-gatherers so? <a href="/slt/matthew/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye above ordinary? and do not the tax collectors the same?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do not also the heathens this? <a href="/cpdv/matthew/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way? <a href="/nabre/matthew/5.htm">New American Bible</a> And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And if you salute only your brothers, what is it more that you do? Do not even the publicans do the same thing? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And if you pray for the peace of your brethren only, what excellent thing are you doing? Behold, are not even the Tax Collectors doing the same thing?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And if you salute your brethren only, in what do you excel? Do not even the publicans so? <a href="/godbey/matthew/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>If you salute your brethren only, what do ye more abundantly? do not the heathens also the same thing?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And if ye embrace your brethren only, what do ye extraordinary? do not even the publicans so? <a href="/mace/matthew/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and if ye salute your brethren only, what mighty matter is that? do not even the heathens do the same? <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if you salute only your near relatives, what praise is due to you? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? <a href="/worrell/matthew/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And, if ye salute your brethren only, what more than others do ye? Do not even the gentiles the same?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>and if ye embrace your brethren only, what do ye more <Fr>than others?<FR> do not the publicans so likewise?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/5-47.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1201" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Love Your Enemies</a> …46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/782.htm" title="782: aspasēsthe (V-ASM-2P) -- To greet, salute, pay my respects to, welcome. To enfold in the arms, i.e. to salute, to welcome.">you greet</a> <a href="/greek/3440.htm" title="3440: monon (Adv) -- Alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely.">only</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphous (N-AMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brothers,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poieite (V-PIA-2P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">are you doing</a> <a href="/greek/4053.htm" title="4053: perisson (Adj-ANS) -- From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence.">more than others?</a> <a href="/greek/3780.htm" title="3780: ouchi (IntPrtcl) -- By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed.">Do not</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">even</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1482.htm" title="1482: ethnikoi (Adj-NMP) -- Pagan, heathen, gentile; subst: a Gentile, non-Jew. From ethnos; national, i.e. a Gentile.">Gentiles</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">do</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auto (PPro-AN3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">same?</a> 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/6-32.htm">Luke 6:32-33</a> If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. / If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. <a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a> But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. <a href="/luke/6-35.htm">Luke 6:35</a> But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. <a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20</a> On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a> Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20-21</a> If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. / And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well. <a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a> Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. <a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8</a> If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. <a href="/galatians/6-10.htm">Galatians 6:10</a> Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. <a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3-4</a> Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4-7</a> Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ... <a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a> Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a> If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a> Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. <a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4-5</a> If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And if you salute your brothers only, what do you more than others? do not even the publicans so?salute.<a href="/matthew/10-12.htm">Matthew 10:12</a> And when ye come into an house, salute it.<a href="/luke/6-32.htm">Luke 6:32</a> For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.<a href="/luke/10-4.htm">Luke 10:4,5</a> Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way… what.<a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Matthew 5:20</a> 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.<a href="/1_peter/2-20.htm">1 Peter 2:20</a> For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jonah/4-2.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/matthew/5-46.htm">Collectors</a> <a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Due</a> <a href="/daniel/8-24.htm">Extraordinary</a> <a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/matthew/4-15.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/matthew/5-45.htm">Good</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-9.htm">Greet</a> <a href="/matthew/5-19.htm">Others</a> <a href="/3_john/1-7.htm">Pagans</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-5.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/matthew/5-46.htm">Publicans</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-15.htm">Relatives</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/18-10.htm">Salute</a> <a href="/matthew/5-46.htm">Tax</a> <a href="/matthew/5-46.htm">Tax-Gatherers</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/9-37.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/matthew/9-10.htm">Collectors</a> <a href="/matthew/18-30.htm">Due</a> <a href="/acts/19-11.htm">Extraordinary</a> <a href="/matthew/9-15.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Good</a> <a href="/matthew/10-12.htm">Greet</a> <a href="/matthew/6-14.htm">Others</a> <a href="/matthew/6-32.htm">Pagans</a> <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/matthew/9-10.htm">Publicans</a> <a href="/mark/3-21.htm">Relatives</a> <a href="/matthew/10-12.htm">Salute</a> <a href="/matthew/9-9.htm">Tax</a> <a href="/matthew/9-10.htm">Tax-Gatherers</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 5</div>1. <a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Jesus' sermon on the mount:</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">The Beattitudes;</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">the salt of the earth;</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">the light of the world.</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">He came to fulfill the law.</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">What it is to kill;</a> 27. <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">to commit adultery;</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">to swear.</a> 38. <a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">He exhorts to forgive wrong,</a> 43. <a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">to love our enemies;</a> 48. <a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">and to labor after perfection.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And if you greet only your brothers In the cultural context of first-century Judea, greeting someone was more than a simple acknowledgment; it was a sign of respect and acceptance. The term "brothers" here refers to fellow Jews or those within one's own community or group. Jesus challenges His followers to extend love and kindness beyond their immediate circle, reflecting the inclusive nature of God's love. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of loving one's neighbor, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a> and the parable of the Good Samaritan in <a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>, which emphasizes love for all, not just those who are similar to us.what are you doing more than others? This rhetorical question highlights the expectation that followers of Christ should exhibit a higher standard of love and righteousness than what is commonly practiced. The call to exceed the norm is a recurring theme in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus contrasts the righteousness of His followers with that of the scribes and Pharisees (<a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Matthew 5:20</a>). This phrase challenges believers to reflect the transformative power of the Gospel in their actions, setting them apart as a light to the world (<a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14-16</a>).Do not even Gentiles do the same? In the historical context, "Gentiles" refers to non-Jews, often perceived by Jews as outsiders to the covenant community. By using Gentiles as an example, Jesus underscores that merely loving those who love you is a natural human tendency, not a mark of divine love. This statement would have been provocative to His Jewish audience, urging them to transcend cultural and religious boundaries. The call to love beyond one's own group is echoed in the Great Commission (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>), where Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations, reflecting God's universal love and the breaking down of barriers through Christ (<a href="/ephesians/2-14.htm">Ephesians 2:14-16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which is a foundational teaching of Christian ethics and behavior. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The primary audience of Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, representing all followers of Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gentiles.htm">Gentiles</a> Non-Jewish people, often used in the New Testament to refer to those outside the covenant community of Israel, representing those who do not follow God's ways. 4. <a href="/topical/b/brothers.htm">Brothers</a> In this context, refers to fellow believers or those within one's immediate community or group. 5. <a href="/topical/s/sermon_on_the_mount.htm">Sermon on the Mount</a> A significant event in Jesus' ministry where He taught about the Kingdom of God and the righteousness expected of His followers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_distinctive_love.htm">The Call to Distinctive Love</a> Jesus challenges His followers to exhibit a love that surpasses the natural human inclination to love only those who love us back. This distinctive love is a hallmark of Christian discipleship. <a href="/topical/b/breaking_down_barriers.htm">Breaking Down Barriers</a> By greeting and showing kindness to those outside our immediate circle, we break down social and cultural barriers, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_character.htm">Reflecting God's Character</a> As Christians, we are called to reflect God's character, which includes loving impartially and extending grace to all, just as God does. <a href="/topical/p/practical_steps_to_love_others.htm">Practical Steps to Love Others</a> Consider practical ways to extend love and kindness to those who are different from us or outside our usual social circles, such as engaging in community service or reaching out to new people in our church or neighborhood. <a href="/topical/t/the_witness_of_love.htm">The Witness of Love</a> Our love for others serves as a powerful witness to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel. When we love beyond our natural inclinations, we testify to the reality of Christ's love in us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 5</a> <a href="/q/is_jesus_lord,_liar,_lunatic,_legend,_or_guru.htm">Is self-pleasure considered a sin?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'called_by_his_purpose'_mean.htm">How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_not_judge_others_in_romans_14_10.htm">Romans 14:10 - Why emphasize not judging others when other passages in the New Testament do pronounce judgment on certain behaviors?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_'eye_for_eye'_with_'turn_cheek'.htm">How can the 'eye for an eye' principle (Leviticus 24:19-20) be reconciled with New Testament teachings like 'turn the other cheek' (Matthew 5:38-39)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(47) If ye salute your brethren.--The prominence of salutation in the social life of the East gives a special vividness to this precept. To utter the formal "Peace be with you," to follow that up by manifold compliments and wishes, was to recognise those whom men saluted as friends and brothers. But this the very heathen did (heathen rather than "publicans" being here the true reading): were the followers of Christ to be content with copying heathen customs?<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 47. - And if ye salute. It seems almost a bathos after "love." But it expresses love publicly showing itself by kindly greeting. Your brethren; with whom you have the fellow-feeling of common origin - in this case not national, but spiritual (cf. ver. 22, note). What do you more than others? (τί περισσὸν ποιεῖτε); Tyndale," What singuler thynge doe ye?" Do not even the publicans? Revised Version, the Gentiles? with the manuscripts. "The form used (ἐθνικός) describes character rather than mere position" (Bishop Westcott, on <a href="/3_john/1-7.htm">3 John 1:7</a>); "hethen men" (Wickliffe). So; Revised Version, the same, with the manuscripts. Τὸ αὐτό, notwithstanding its occurrence in ver. 46 and parallel passage, <a href="/luke/6-33.htm">Luke 6:33</a>, was altered to the commoner οὕτως ποιεῖν. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/5-47.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. if ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. you greet ἀσπάσησθε (aspasēsthe) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_782.htm">Strong's 782: </a> To greet, salute, pay my respects to, welcome. To enfold in the arms, i.e. to salute, to welcome. only μόνον (monon) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3440.htm">Strong's 3440: </a> Alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. brothers, ἀδελφοὺς (adelphous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. are you doing ποιεῖτε (poieite) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. more than others? περισσὸν (perisson) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4053.htm">Strong's 4053: </a> From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence. Do not οὐχὶ (ouchi) IntPrtcl <a href="/greek/strongs_3780.htm">Strong's 3780: </a> By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed. even καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. Gentiles ἐθνικοὶ (ethnikoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1482.htm">Strong's 1482: </a> Pagan, heathen, gentile; subst: a Gentile, non-Jew. From ethnos; national, i.e. a Gentile. do ποιοῦσιν (poiousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. same? αὐτὸ (auto) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/5-47.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 5:47 If you only greet your friends what (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/5-46.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 5:46"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:46" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/5-48.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 5:48"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:48" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>