The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 223

Gentile world with a rod of iron. (2) This theory was a libel upon the prophets. It would encourage in the Jews the bad passions of pride, resentment, and cruelty. It would bring the Gentiles under oppression inconsistent wHh the prophetic anticipation of universal happiness. (3) Jesus made the kingdom spiritual and invisible; and its glory righteousness and mercy. 3. Jesus vindicated the prophets from the Pharisees. (1) He refased their rigbteousness, "Pharisee "-i,i!l, separate, "not as others." Pride. They "cleansed the outside." The righteousness of the kingdom is "truth in the inward parts." (2) He refused their beneficence. They were scrupulous in paying the tithes. They loved the praise of men. The beneficence of the kingdom seeks praise of God. (3) He refused their piety. They went up to pray, but there was no prayer in it. "I thank thee," etc. They fasted on Mondays and 'fhursdays with dis- figured faces. The piety of the kingdom is rational and manly. (4) Sincerity is no substitute for truth. Many Pharisees are hypocrites. All were not so. Saul of 'farsu.-t was sincere as a Pharisee (see Acts :uiii. 1 ; Phil. iii. 5, 6; 1 Tim. i. 13). Error as well as wilful sin stands in need of mercy.-J. A. M. Vera. 21-26.-The "ringency of the gospel Law. "Ye have heard," etc. The people generally were acquainted with the Law chiefly through the t~aching of the scribes; but the scribes so mixed the traditions of the elders with the Word of inspiration, that it was needful that the Source of inspiration should speak again. "I say unto you." I. HERE CHRIST OPENS THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE LAW. 1. He does not nlease us from the letter. (1) The precept against murder was" of old time." It originated. in the judgment of God upon the first murderer. It took more definite shape as one of the N oachian precepts (Gen. ix. 6, ( \. It reappeared o.s the sixth commandment in the Decalogue (Exod. xx. 13). (2) 'h'lis Law has never been repealed. For suppose, as some contend, that the Decalogue was repealed along with the Levitical ordinances, it would still bind as a patriarchal institution. The reason of its enactment as a N oachian precept still holds, viz. "For in the image of God made he man." (3) Anyhow, it is here reimposed by the Lawgiver himself (cf. Isa. ii. 3; Luke xxiv. 47; Jas. ii. 8-13). Moses the " servant" yields to Christ the " Son " (Heb. iii. 5, 6). "I say unto you" significantly contrasts with the impersonal "It was said." We are "under the Law to Christ." 2. He enjoim the Law in its spirit. (1) The spirit of the old Law was ever in it (Rom. vii. 7; xiii. 9, 10). But the traditions of the elders explained this away. Law is made void when its spirit is lost (Mark vii 13). (2) Anger is murder in the heart. 'l'he angry heart is as much in danger of the judgment of God as the murderous hand is of the municipal court (cf. 1 John iii. 15). The murderer in the heart is a malignant anger. (3) There is a generous angor of grief. This is a holy passion. It is a passion against sin. Our Lord himself felt it (Mark iii. 5). (4) 'l'here is a murder in the tongue. The "raca" is the expression of a malignant heart. Such was the bitter sarcasm of Michal (see 2 Sam. vi. 20). So likewise is the angry condemnation of the expression, "Thou fool I" 3. He arms the Law with furmidabla sanctions. (1) Here is no weakening of the ancient sanctions. The "judgment," or senate of twenty-three persons, is referred to, whose death-punishment was by the towel and sword. The "council," the Sanhedrin, or national court of seventy-two judges, is also referred to, whose death-punishment was by the still more shocking mode of stoning. (2) But here is mention also of tho "much sorer punishment." Neither the municipal nor the national court of Israel could deal with the murderer in the heart. Yet is there a judgment and a council before which this criminnl shall stand. (3) 'l'he doom of the transgressor of the spirit of the Law is the fire of Gehenna (see Isa. xxx. 33; Jer. vii. 31, 32). The venom of sin lies in its spirit. The heart is the character. II. BuT JlIB SYSTEM AFFORDS SPA.OE FOB BEPENTANCE. l. There is the altar for the gift. (1) The allusion here is to the altar of tho ceremonial Law. Such an altar was that upon which the first family offered their gifts (cf. Gen. iv. 3-6; Heb. xi. 4). Such that upon which the Israelite presented his offerings. (2) Upon the great altar of Calvary God's great Gift, his Son, was offered. for us. This was to tho end that wo may offer the same gr111t Girt to God by faith. 'l'his is the best we can possibly offer. It is C""ermore acceptable. (3) But with this infinite burnt offering and sin sacrifice wo must also olT,•r ourselves (see Rom. xii. 1). l'crsonal sacrifice includes persoDal  218 TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [ou. v. 1-49.