Laws in the Gospel of Matthew

The "Gospel According to Matthew is the first of the four New Testament Gospels and, with The Gospels According to Mark and Luke, one of the three so-called Synoptic Gospels (i.e., those presenting a common view). It has traditionally been attributed to St. Matthew the Evangelist, one of the 12 Apostles, described in the text as a tax collector (10:3). The Gospel According to Matthew was composed in Greek, probably sometime after 70 CE, with evident dependence on the earlier Gospel According to Mark. There has, however, been extended discussion about the possibility of an earlier version in Aramaic. Numerous textual indications point to an author who was a Jewish Christian writing for Christians of similar background. The Gospel According to Matthew consequently emphasizes Christ's fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (5:17) and his role as a new lawgiver whose divine mission was confirmed by repeated miracles.

"After tracing the genealogy of Jesus back to Abraham, the evangelist mentions certain details related to the infancy of Christ that are not elsewhere recorded—e.g., St. Joseph's perplexity on learning that Mary is pregnant, the homage of the Wise Men, the flight into Egypt to escape Herod's soldiers, the massacre of the innocents, and the return of the holy family from Egypt. Matthew then describes the preaching of St. John the Baptist, the call of the Apostles, and major events in the public ministry of Jesus. The final section describes the betrayal, Crucifixion, burial, and Resurrection of Christ.

"Exegetes view the main body of the Gospel as five extended sermons, one of which includes the memorable Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7). Numerous parables are recorded, some very well known but not set down by the other evangelists. One passage, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" (16:18), has become the basis of Roman Catholic belief in the divine institution of the papacy. Matthew's version of the Lord's Prayer (6:9–15) is used in the liturgies of the Christian churches." – Encyclopaedia Britannica


It it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. – Matthew 3:15.


Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. – Matthew 4:4.


Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. – Matthew 4:7.


Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. – Matthew 4:10.


Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:10.


Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. – Matthew 5:11‑12.


Ye are the salt of the earth [ensample of integrity]; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. – Matthew 5:13. [Salt is incorruption.]


Ye are the light of the world. – Matthew 5:14.


Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16.


Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 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. – Matthew 5:17-20.


Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council [Raca is a term of contempt for a person without education or morals]: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire [because it is judgmental cursing]. – Matthew 5:22.


If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. – Matthew 5:23‑24.


Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison [of self]. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing [lifted the last taint of self]. – Matthew 5:25-26.


A Law of Intention: Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. – Matthew 5:28.


If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. – Matthew 5:29.


Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. – Matthew 5:32. [You are adulterating vows made to God.]


Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool – Matthew 5:34-35.


Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. – Matthew 5:37.


Do not to resist an evil person. – Matthew 5:39.


Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. – Matthew 5:39


If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. – Matthew 5:40.


Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. – Matthew 5:41.


Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. – Matthew 5:42.


Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. – Matthew 5:44.


God makes His Sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. – Matthew 5:45.


You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. – Matthew 5:48.


Do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. – Matthew 6:1.


Do your charitable deeds in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. – Matthew 6:3‑4.


When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. – Matthew 6:3‑4.


When you pray, go into your room and shut your door; pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. – Matthew 6:5‑6.


When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. – Matthew 6:7.


Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. – Matthew 6:8.


If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. – Matthew 6:14.


If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6:15.


When you fast, do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. – Matthew 6:16.


Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. – Matthew 6:19‑20.


Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:21.


The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. – Matthew 6:22.


If your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. – Matthew 6:23.


If the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! – Matthew 6:23.


No one can serve two masters; either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. – Matthew 6:24.


You cannot serve God and mammon [materiality]. – Matthew 6:24.


Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, nor about your body, what you will wear. – Matthew 6:25.


You cannot, by worrying, add one inch to your height. – Matthew 6:27.


Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. – Matthew 6:33.


Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. – Matthew 6:34.


Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:34.


Judge not, that you be not judged. – Matthew 7:1.


With what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. – Matthew 7:2.


Do not look at the speck in your brother's eye while ignoring the plank in your own eye. – Matthew 7:3.


First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. – Matthew 7:4.


Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. – Matthew 7:6.


Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7.


Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. – Matthew 7:8.


Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. – Matthew 7:12.


Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. – Matthew 7:13.


Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. – Matthew 7:14.


Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing; but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. – Matthew 7:15.


Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. – Matthew 7:17.


A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. – Matthew 7:18.


By their fruits you will know them. – Matthew 7:20.


Not everyone shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of the Father in heaven. – Matthew 7:21.


Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness. – Matthew 7:23.


As you have believed, so let it be done for you. – Matthew 8:13.


Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead. – Matthew 8:22.


The Christos has power on earth to forgive sins. – Matthew 9:6.


Go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice." [Do not do wrong then plea bargain for forgiveness.] – Matthew 9:13.


Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. – Matthew 9:13.


According to your faith let it be to you. – Matthew 10:10.


A worker is worthy of his hire. – Matthew 9:29.


Offer peace wherever you go; if it is rejected, let your peace return to you. – Matthew 10:13.


Whoever will not receive you or hear your words, shake the dust from your feet when you depart from that house or city. – Matthew 10:14.


I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. – Matthew 10:16.


Do not worry about how or what you should speak, for it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. – Matthew 10:19‑20.


He who endures to the end will be saved. – Matthew 10:22.


The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. – Matthew 10:24.


It is enough that a disciple be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. – Matthew 10:25.


There is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. – Matthew 10:26.


Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28.


Do not think that Christ came to bring peace on earth. He did not come to bring peace but a sword. – Matthew 10:34.


He who loves father or mother more than Christ is not worthy of Christ, and he who loves son or daughter more than Christ is not worthy of Christ. – Matthew 10:37.


He who does not take his cross and follow Christ is not worthy of Christ. – Matthew 10:38


He who loses his life for Christ's sake will find it. – Matthew 10:39.


He who receives Christ receives Him who sent Christ. – Matthew 10:40.


He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. – Matthew 10:41.


He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. – Matthew 10:41.


Whoever gives a little one only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, he shall by no means lose his reward. – Matthew 10:42.


Blessed is he who is not offended because of Christ. – Matthew 11:6.


Wisdom is justified by her children. – Matthew 11:19.


Take the Christos yoke upon you and learn from him, for he is gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. – Matthew 11:29.


The Christos yoke is easy and his burden is Light. – Matthew 11:30.


The Christos is Lord even of the Sabbath. – Matthew 12:8.


It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. – Matthew 12:12.


Every kingdom [consciousness] divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. – Matthew 12:25.


When Christ cast out demons by the Spirit of God, the kingdom of God came upon us. – Matthew 12:28.


He who is not with Christ is against Christ, and he who does not gather with Christ scatters abroad. – Matthew 12:30.


Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. – Matthew 12:30.


Anyone who speaks a word against the Christ [personality], it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit [principle], it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. – Matthew 12:32.


A tree is known by its fruit. – Matthew 12:33


Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. – Matthew 12:34.


A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. – Matthew 12:35.


For every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. – Matthew 12:36.


By your words you will be justified; and by your words you will be condemned. – Matthew 12:37.


An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign. – Matthew 12:39.


Whoever does the will of the Father in heaven is Christ's brother and sister and mother. – Matthew 12:50.


Whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. – Matthew 13:12.


When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the wicked one snatches away what was sown in his heart. – Matthew 13:19.


He who hears and immediately receives the Word with joy, yet has no root in himself ... when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles. – Matthew 13:20‑21.


He who hears the Word, but lets the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches to choke the word, becomes unfruitful. – Matthew 13:22.


He who hears the Word and understands it, bears fruit and produces. – Matthew 13:23.


Every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old. – Matthew 13:52. [Hand write the laws you are learning (scribe) this brings new insight to old laws.]


A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house. – Matthew 13:57.


You cannot do many mighty works in the face of unbelief. Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. – Matthew 13:58.


You cannot "walk on water" when you doubt. – Matthew 14:25‑31.


You may not teach as Christed doctrine the commandments of men that contravene divine Law. – Matthew 15:1‑9.


Every plant which our heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. – Matthew 15:13.


If the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch. – Matthew 15:14.


Those things which proceed from the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. – Matthew 15:18.


Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies; these are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man. – Matthew 15:19‑20.


Beware of the leaven [doctrine] of the Pharisees and Sadducees. – Matthew 16:11.


I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. – Matthew 16:19.


You are an offense to [Christ when] you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men. – Matthew 16:23.


If anyone desires to come after Christ, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Christ. – Matthew 16:24.


Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Christ's sake will find it. – Matthew 16:25.


If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. – Matthew 17:20.


Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 18:3.


Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 18:4.


Whoever receives one little child in Christ's name receives Christ. – Matthew 18:5.


Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Christ to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. – Matthew 18:6.


Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! – Matthew 18:7.


A Law of measured response: If your brother sins against you, tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. If he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that "by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." If he refuses to hear them, tell it to the congregation. But if he refuses even to hear the congregation, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. – Matthew 18:15‑17.


Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. – Matthew 18:18.


If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that you ask, it will be done for you by our Father in heaven. – Matthew 18:19.


Where two or three are gathered together in Christ's name, he is there in the midst of them. – Matthew 18:20.


Forgive up to seventy times seven. – Matthew 18:22.


What God has joined together, let not man separate. – Matthew 19:6.


All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it. – Matthew 19:11‑12.


Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 19:14.


It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. – Matthew 19:23‑24.


With God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:26.


In the life to come, when the Christ sits on the throne of his glory, you who have followed him will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. – Matthew 19:28.


Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for Christ's name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. – Matthew 19:29.


Many who are first will be last, and the last first. – Matthew 19:30


Many are called, but few are chosen. – Matthew 20:16 – Matthew 22:14.


Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant, just as the Christ did not come to be served, but to serve. – Matthew 20:27‑28.


Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. – Matthew 21:22.


Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. – Matthew 22:21. [Render to the world the things that are the world's.]


"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the first and great commandment. – Matthew 22:37‑38.


The second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. – Matthew 22:39.


The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool." – Matthew 22:44.


Do not be called "Rabbi," for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. – Matthew 23:8.


Do not call anyone on earth your father, for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. – Matthew 23:9.


Do not be called teachers, for One is your Teacher, the Christ. – Matthew 23:10.


He who is greatest among you shall be your servant. – Matthew 23:11.


Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. – Matthew 23:12.


Do not pay tithes and neglect the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to do, without leaving the others undone. – Matthew 23:23.


Take heed that no one deceives you. – Matthew 24:4.


Heaven and earth will pass away, but Christ's words will by no means pass away. – Matthew 24:35.


Watch, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. – Matthew 24:42.


Be ready, for Christ is coming at an hour you do not expect. – Matthew 24:44


When you are faithful over a few things, God can make you master over many things. – Matthew 25:21.


To everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. – Matthew 25:29.


Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to Christ. Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Christ. – Matthew 25:40, 45.


O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. – Matthew 26:39.


Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41.


All who take the sword will perish by the sword. – Matthew 26:52

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References

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Gospel According to Matthew," Encyclopædia Britannica. December 7, 2018 [accessed March 4, 2020].

The Holy Bible. King James Version (KJV).

Purchase a Bible here: The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV). Thomas Nelson, Inc.

The Holy Bible. Some Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.