New Testament 55

Matthew 5:21-26

Compare Mark 11:25 and Luke 12:57-59

Just a quick note on this very familiar passage:

I think it significant that Jesus doesn’t cite authorities.  He is authority.  He needn’t borrow it from anybody else, as we do.  He doesn’t reason or argue, either; he simply declares.

“You have heard that it was said to the men of old . . . But I say to you . . . ”

Likewise, when he performs miracles or prays, he doesn’t do so in anybody else’s name.  He doesn’t have to.