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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 5:43 You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor' and 'Hate your enemy.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/5-43.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/40_Mat_05_43.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 5:43 - Love Your Enemies" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor' and 'Hate your enemy.'" /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/5-42.htm" title="Matthew 5:42">◄</a> Matthew 5:43 <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm" title="Matthew 5:44">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/5.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220You have heard that it was said, &#8216Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.&#8217 <a href="/nlt/matthew/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. <a href="/esv/matthew/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ <a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' <a href="/kjv/matthew/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/5.htm">New King James Version</a> “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ <a href="/nasb_/matthew/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ <a href="/nasb/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You have heard that it was said, &#8216YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, and hate your enemy.’ <a href="/lsb/matthew/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ <a href="/amp/matthew/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ <a href="/csb/matthew/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. <a href="/asv/matthew/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: <a href="/cev/matthew/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You have heard people say, "Love your neighbors and hate your enemies." <a href="/erv/matthew/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy: <a href="/gwt/matthew/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' <a href="/gnt/matthew/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your friends, hate your enemies.' <a href="/isv/matthew/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> "You have heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. <a href="/msb/matthew/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> You have heard that it was said, ?Love your neighbor? and ?Hate your enemy.? <a href="/net/matthew/5.htm">NET Bible</a> "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor' and 'hate your enemy.' <a href="/nheb/matthew/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' <a href="/wbt/matthew/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy: <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "You have heard that it was said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy.' <a href="/web/matthew/5.htm">World English Bible</a> “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> You heard that it was said: You will love your neighbor, and will hate your enemy; <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' <a href="/ylt/matthew/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Ye heard that it was said: Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and shalt hate thine enemy; <a href="/slt/matthew/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Ye have heard that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.’ <a href="/nabre/matthew/5.htm">New American Bible</a> “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> You have heard that it is said, Be kind to your friend, and hate your enemy. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> You have heard that it was said, “Show kindness to your neighbor and hate your enemy.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> You have heard that it was said: You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. <a href="/godbey/matthew/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>You have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Ye have heard that it hath been said, ?Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.? <a href="/mace/matthew/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> You have heard that it hath been said, "you shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy:" <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "You have heard that it was said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy.' <a href="/worrell/matthew/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"Ye heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy;'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Ye have heard, that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/5-43.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=1170" 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> …42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43<a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: Ēkousate (V-AIA-2P) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">You have heard</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: errethē (V-AIP-3S) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">it was said,</a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: Agapēseis (V-FIA-2S) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">‘Love</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- 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: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/4139.htm" title="4139: plēsion (Adv) -- Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow.">neighbor’</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3404.htm" title="3404: misēseis (V-FIA-2S) -- To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less.">‘Hate</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- 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: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/2190.htm" title="2190: echthron (Adj-AMS) -- Hated, hostile; subst: an enemy. From a primary echtho; hateful; usually as a noun, an adversary.">enemy.’</a> 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,…<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="/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="/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="/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="/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="/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. <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="/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29-37</a> But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” / Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ... <a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Romans 13:9</a> 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.” <a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a> The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” <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="/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="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3-6</a> No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. / For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. ... <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a> Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people. <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="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17</a> Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.Thou.<a href="/matthew/19-19.htm">Matthew 19:19</a> Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.<a href="/matthew/22-39.htm">Matthew 22:39,40</a> And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself… <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a> Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.and hate.<a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Exodus 17:14-16</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven… <a href="/deuteronomy/23-6.htm">Deuteronomy 23:6</a> Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.<a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">Deuteronomy 25:17</a> Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zechariah/10-5.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/malachi/2-16.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-19.htm">Love</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-13.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-13.htm">Neighbour</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/13-25.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Love</a> <a href="/matthew/19-19.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/matthew/19-19.htm">Neighbour</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>You have heard that it was said This phrase indicates Jesus is addressing common teachings or interpretations of the Law that were prevalent among His audience. It reflects the oral traditions and teachings of the Jewish leaders, such as the Pharisees and scribes, who often expanded upon the written Law with their own interpretations. This introduction sets the stage for Jesus to contrast these teachings with His own authoritative interpretation.‘Love your neighbor’ This part of the verse references <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>, which commands the Israelites to love their neighbors as themselves. In the Jewish context, "neighbor" was often understood to mean fellow Israelites or those within one's own community. Jesus later expands this definition in the parable of the Good Samaritan (<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>), illustrating that "neighbor" includes all people, regardless of ethnicity or social standing.and ‘Hate your enemy.’ This phrase is not a direct quote from the Old Testament but reflects a common interpretation or attitude that had developed over time. While the Law commanded love for one's neighbor, it did not explicitly instruct hatred for enemies. However, due to historical conflicts and the desire for national purity, some Jewish groups, such as the Qumran community, may have adopted a stance of enmity towards outsiders or those perceived as threats. Jesus challenges this mindset by teaching love for enemies, as seen in the following verses (<a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44-48</a>), which aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's love and mercy extending to all humanity.<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, a foundational teaching moment in His ministry. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_audience.htm">The Audience</a> Primarily Jewish listeners familiar with the Old Testament Law and traditional teachings. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_sermon_on_the_mount.htm">The Sermon on the Mount</a> A significant event where Jesus expounds on the Law, emphasizing the spirit rather than the letter. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_pharisees_and_scribes.htm">The Pharisees and Scribes</a> Religious leaders of the time who often interpreted the Law in a way that Jesus challenges. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_old_testament_law.htm">The Old Testament Law</a> The backdrop against which Jesus is teaching, specifically <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>, which commands love for one's neighbor.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_law's_intent.htm">Understanding the Law's Intent</a> Jesus clarifies that the Law's intent was always about love, not just for neighbors but extending beyond to enemies. <a href="/topical/c/challenging_cultural_norms.htm">Challenging Cultural Norms</a> The cultural norm of hating enemies is directly challenged by Jesus, calling for a radical love that mirrors God's love. <a href="/topical/t/the_greek_word_for_love.htm">The Greek Word for Love</a> The word used for love here is "agapao," which denotes a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others, including enemies. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_character.htm">Reflecting God's Character</a> Loving enemies reflects God's character, who shows kindness to both the just and unjust. <a href="/topical/p/practical_love_in_action.htm">Practical Love in Action</a> This teaching calls for practical steps in loving enemies, such as praying for them and seeking reconciliation.<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/love_neighbor,_hate_enemy.htm">Should you love your neighbor and hate your enemy?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_meaning_of_'love_your_enemies'.htm">What does "Love Your Enemies" truly mean?</a> <a href="/q/can_the_son_do_anything_by_himself.htm">Should you love your neighbor and hate your enemy?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_psalm_46_5.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'pray for your enemies'?</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>(43) Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.--In form the latter clause was a Rabbinic addition to the former; and this is important as showing that our Lord deals throughout not with the Law as such, but with the scribes' exposition of it. But it can hardly be said these words, as far as national enemies were concerned, were foreign to the spirit of the Law. The Israelites were practically commanded to hate the Canaanites and Amalekites, whom they were commissioned to destroy. The fault of the scribes was that they stereotyped the Law, which was in its nature transitory, and extended it in a wrong direction by making it the plea for indulgence in private enmities. Our Lord cancels the Rabbinic gloss as regards national and, a fortiori, private hatreds, and teaches us to strive after the ideal excellence which He realised, and to love, i.e., to seek the good of those who have shown us the most bitter hostility. So He taught men to find a neighbour even in a Samaritan, and so He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 43-48. - The treatment of those who injure us. (Cf. supra, ver. 38.) Our Lord now turns from the reception of injuries to the treatment of those who injure us. We are not to injure them in return, nor merely to keep aloof from them, but to show them positive kindness. The Law, in the natural development of it current at the time, taught very differently. Verse 43.. - Matthew only. Ye have heard (ver. 21, note). Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. The first clause is found in <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>, the second is the natural, and, from one point of view, legitimate, deduction from it. "The whole precept, as it stands, undoubtedly represents, and is a summary of, the sense of the Law" (Mozley, vide infra). The meaning of the words "neighbour" and "enemy" has been much discussed. In Leviticus, indeed, the meaning of "neighbour" is clear; it answers to "the children of thy people" in the preceding clause, i.e. it refers to members of the nation; all Israelites are termed "neighbours." The primary sense, therefore, of this whole precept is love to an Israelite, hatred to a non-Israelite (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">Deuteronomy 25:17-19</a>). As such, the precept was of value in cementing the unity of the nation and preventing greater exposure to the evils, moral and religious, found outside it. But as quoted by our Lord, it has evidently a more private reference. He treats the precept as referring to personal friends (those who act in a neighbourly way) and enemies, and even this is, in some respects, a legitimate summary of the teaching of the Law, in so far as it forms another side of the law of retaliation. In days when public justice was weak much had to be left to the action of the individual, and he who was wronged was bid satisfy justice by retaliating on his enemy. That, however, it was not the only teaching of the Law is evident from <a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4</a> (cf. <a href="/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29</a>). But as regards both aspects of the precept the time had come for a change. The Jews only too gladly showed obedience to the second part of the precept, making themselves proverbial (cf. Tacitus, 'Hist.,' 5:5. 2; Juvenal, 'Sat.,' 14:103) for their more than incivility to Gentiles, and they seem to have also zealously carried it out towards their personal enemies (cf. <a href="/psalms/109.htm">Psalm 109</a>.). On the whole subject, vide especially Mozley ('Ruling Ideas,' pp. 188-200), who, however, hardly allows enough weight to passages like <a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4</a>. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/5-43.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>You have heard Ἠκούσατε (Ēkousate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. it was said, ἐρρέθη (errethē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2046.htm">Strong's 2046: </a> Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say. ‘Love Ἀγαπήσεις (Agapēseis) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. neighbor πλησίον (plēsion) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4139.htm">Strong's 4139: </a> Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. hate μισήσεις (misēseis) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3404.htm">Strong's 3404: </a> To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. enemy.’ ἐχθρόν (echthron) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2190.htm">Strong's 2190: </a> Hated, hostile; subst: an enemy. From a primary echtho; hateful; usually as a noun, an adversary. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 5:43 You have heard that it was said (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/5-42.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 5:42"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:42" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 5:44"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:44" /></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>