Original Research

Jesus’ halakhic argumentation on the true intention of the law in Matthew 5:21−48

Francois P. Viljoen
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 34, No 1 | a682 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v34i1.682 | © 2013 Francois P. Viljoen | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 20 September 2011 | Published: 30 April 2013

About the author(s)

Francois P. Viljoen, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa

Abstract

In the time when Matthew wrote his gospel, the interpretation of the Torah became a feature of division. Matthew frequently presented Jesus as being in debate with the Pharisees and scribes on the true intention of the Law. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus was presented as using the halakhic form of argumentation to counter false assumptions about the meaning of the Torah. Six theses about the Torah were set, followed by Jesus’ antitheses. Jesus’ alternative interpretations were presented as an authoritative explanation of the true, intended meaning of the Law. Matthew argued that Jesus did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but bring them to fulfilment. In this argument Jesus formulated the higher level of righteousness that is required of his followers.

Keywords

Law; Torah; Halakha; Sermon on the Mount; Righteousness

Metrics

Total abstract views: 7076
Total article views: 14690

 

Crossref Citations

1. The Matthean Jesus’ surprising instruction to obey the teachers of the Law and Pharisees
Francois P. Viljoen
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 74  issue: 1  year: 2018  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v74i1.4911

2. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: Protecting women from abusive divorce practices
Francois P. Viljoen
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi  vol: 59  issue: 1  year: 2025  
doi: 10.4102/ids.v59i1.3147

3. Analyzing the Pain and Suffering of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew using Ricoeur’s Hermeneutic Circle
Brandon Obenza, Paul Rean Fred Quibo-quibo, Marie Rose Costes, Mark Joel Ortiz, Danilo Baradillo
Universal Journal of Theology  vol: 9  issue: 2  first page: 130  year: 2024  
doi: 10.56108/ujte.1590101

4. The superior authority of Jesus in Matthew to interpret the Torah
Francois P. Viljoen
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi  vol: 50  issue: 2  year: 2016  
doi: 10.4102/ids.v50i2.2062

5. A call for peacemaking: A perspective from the Sermon on the Mount
Francois P. Viljoen
In die Skriflig / In Luce Verbi  vol: 55  issue: 2  year: 2021  
doi: 10.4102/ids.v55i2.2708

6. An Artificial Review of Jesus’s Torah Compliance and What That Might Mean for Jews and Gentile Christians
Jonathan Dawayne Brackens
Laws  vol: 13  issue: 3  first page: 36  year: 2024  
doi: 10.3390/laws13030036