The Sermon on the Mount Pt 11 v1.pdf · injury is made to experience the same injury • OT references – Ex 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot (NASB)

The Sermon on the MountThe Sermon on the Mount

23 July 2008Bill Brewer

What do these people have in common?

Mohandas K h d

Martin L th Karamchand

GandhiLuther King

23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 2

Answer: Both were advocates of non-violence

1 Thesis: Do not commit murder1 Thesis: Do not commit murder“The Six Antitheses”: Matthew 5:21-48

1. Thesis: Do not commit murderAntithesis: Do not hate

2. Thesis: Do not commit adultery


2. Thesis: Do not commit adultery2. Thesis: Do not commit adulteryAntithesis: Do not lust

3. Thesis: Certify your divorces

2. Thesis: Do not commit adulteryAntithesis: Do not lust

3. Thesis: Certify your divorces3. Thesis: Certify your divorcesAntithesis: Do not divorce

4. Thesis: Keep your vows

3. Thesis: Certify your divorcesAntithesis: Do not divorce

4. Thesis: Keep your vowsp yAntithesis: Don’t make vows

5. Thesis: Retaliate

p yAntithesis: Don’t make vows

5. Thesis: RetaliateAntithesis: Don’t retaliate

6. Thesis: Hate your enemiesAntithesis: Don’t retaliate

6. Thesis: Hate your enemiesAntithesis: Love your enemiesAntithesis: Love your enemies23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 3

One Possible OutlineI. INTRODUCTION (5:3-16)( )

1. Beatitudes: Foundation of Righteous Living (5:3-12)

2 Salt and Light: Essence of

3. Dependence upon God (6:19-34)a. Serving God vs. Wealth (6:19-24)b Anxiety (6:25 34)2. Salt and Light: Essence of

Discipleship: (5:13-16)II. MAIN BODY OF THE SERMON (5:17-7:12)

1 Relation between Old and New

b. Anxiety (6:25-34)4. Various Teachings and the Golden

Rule (7:1-12)III C (7 13 27)1. Relation between Old and New

Righteousness (5:17-48)a. Continuity with the Old (5:17-20)b S i f th Old Si

III. CONCLUSION (7:13-27)1. The Two Ways (7:13-14)2. The False and the Genuine (7:15-23)

b. Surpassing of the Old: Six Antitheses (5:21-48)

2. Outward/Inward Righteousness (6:1-18)

a. Warning concerning False Prophets (7:15-20)

b. Insufficiency of the Charismata 18)

a. Almsgiving (6:1-4)b. Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

y(7:21-23)

3. Parable of Two Builders (7:24-27)H D A (2002) V l 33A W d Bibli l C t


(6:5-15)c. Fasting (6:16-18)

Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33A: Word Biblical Commentary : Matthew 1-13. Word Biblical Commentary (84). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

One Possible OutlineI. INTRODUCTION (5:3-16)

3. Dependence upon God (6:19-34)a. Serving God vs. Wealth (6:19-24)b Anxiety (6:25 34)

( )1. Beatitudes: Foundation of Righteous

Living (5:3-12)2 Salt and Light: Essence of b. Anxiety (6:25-34)

4. Various Teachings and the Golden Rule (7:1-12)

III C (7 13 27)

2. Salt and Light: Essence of Discipleship: (5:13-16)

II. MAIN BODY OF THE SERMON (5:17-7:12)1 Relation between Old and New III. CONCLUSION (7:13-27)

1. The Two Ways (7:13-14)2. The False and the Genuine (7:15-23)

1. Relation between Old and New Righteousness (5:17-48)

a. Continuity with the Old (5:17-20)b S i f th Old Si a. Warning concerning False

Prophets (7:15-20)b. Insufficiency of the Charismata

b. Surpassing of the Old: Six Antitheses (5:21-48)

2. Outward/Inward Righteousness (6:1-18)

y(7:21-23)

3. Parable of Two Builders (7:24-27)

18)a. Almsgiving (6:1-4)b. Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

H D A (2002) V l 33A W d Bibli l C t


(6:5-15)c. Fasting (6:16-18)

Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33A: Word Biblical Commentary : Matthew 1-13. Word Biblical Commentary (84). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

Matthew 5:38-42“You have heard that it was said ‘An “You have heard that it was said ‘An “You have heard that it was said ‘An “You have heard that it was said ‘An “You have heard that it was said ‘An You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I say to you, do not



You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I say to you, do not y y ,resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to

y y ,resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to

y y ,resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to

y y ,resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also

him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also 41 “And

him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also 41 “And let him have your coat also. let him have your coat also. 41 And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.

let him have your coat also. 41 And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 “Give to him mile, go with him two. mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow


from you (NASB)

Some Questions• How does Mt 5:38-42 • How does Mt 5:38-42 …

– Relate to the Old Testament?Relate to Judaism in NT times?– Relate to Judaism in NT times?

– Relate to the Matthean community?A l t Ch i ti t d ? – Apply to Christians today?

• Is the underlying ethic personal or corporate? corporate?

• Is its a precept or procedure?I th th t • Is there more than one way to understand Mt 5:38-42?


“Eye for an Eye”: the “lex talionis” (Latin, “law of retribution”)• “Lex talionis” is the law by which a person causing • Lex talionis is the law by which a person causing

injury is made to experience the same injury• OT referencesOT references

– Ex 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot (NASB)hand, foot for foot (NASB)

– Lev 24:20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so ; j j ,it shall be inflicted on him (NASB)

– Dt 19:21 “Thus you shall not show pity: life for y p ylife, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot (NASB)


“Eye for an Eye”: the “lex talionis” (Latin, “law of retribution”)• “Lex talionis” is widely misrepresented as a • Lex talionis is widely misrepresented as a

symbol of primitive cruelty over against modern compassionp

• It is more correctly understood as reflecting …– A limit on retaliationA limit on retaliation– A shift in the agency of retribution from

individuals to communityy– Concern for victims

• The community …The community …– Is accountable to God for retribution on the

guiltyg y– Does not have the option of pity (Dt 19:21)23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 9

The Challenge of Matthew 5:38-42• A “plain reading” and straightforward • A plain reading and straightforward

application of the apparently radical pacifism in Mt 5:38-42 would seem to pmake community and personal life practically impossible

• Absolutizing “turning the other cheek” would require non-resistance to evil,

t j t h di t d i t not just when directed against oneself, but also when directed against othersagainst others

• Those possibilities have prompted numerous approaches to the Sermon numerous approaches to the Sermon that seek to soften its apparent demands


Ways of Interpreting the Sermon on the Mount• The Anabaptist (Pacifist) View• The Anabaptist (Pacifist) View• The Hyperbolic View• The Self Help View• The Self-Help View• The Liberation Theology View

Th D bl St d d Vi• The Double-Standard View• The Two-Realms View

Th R t Vi• The Repentance View• The Moderated View• The Modern Liberal View• The Dispensational View• The In-Breaking Kingdom View


Ways of Interpreting the Sermon on the Mount• Preceding approaches have been • Preceding approaches have been

covered in past lessons• Listed here as a reminderListed here as a reminder• No time to treat each one again• Each has something to offer• Each has something to offer• Typical Bible class treatment of

the Sermon often results in a the Sermon often results in a jumbling together of points from the various views

Anabaptist?Double-Standard? Two Realms?

Dispensational?

• The “In-Breaking Kingdom” offers the best explanation

Self-Help?

Liberation?

Double Standard? Two-Realms?

Repentance? Modern Liberal?

Hyperbolic?Moderated?

In-Breaking Kingdom?


A pacifist example of how Mt 5:38-42 might “work”• Turning cheek makes a second blow difficultTurning cheek makes a second blow difficult

– Based on the mechanics of slapping– The point is to respond to evil in ways that p p y

make further evil less likely• Giving away both cloaks shames the “system”

B d lt l i t k d– Based on cultural aversion to nakedness– The point is to respond to evil in ways that

undermine its institutional legitimacyundermine its institutional legitimacy• Going the extra mile makes the oppressor a

lawbreaker– Based on a one-mile limit for impressment

(cf. Simon the Cyrenian in 27:32)The point is to respond to evil in ways that – The point is to respond to evil in ways that maneuver evil into violation of law


An assessment of Yoder’s approach …• Yoder’s book is recommended reading on other Yoder s book is recommended reading on other

grounds, but its passive-aggressive rationale for pacifism is not altogether convincing

• His perspective is treated here simply as an example of how each of the “ten views” has something to offer, even if not fully convincingg , y g

• A vision of the “in-breaking Kingdom” gathers up the good points from each view and presents th l t l d h tlthem more completely and coherently


What does the In-Breaking Kingdom mean to Matthew’s readers?

• “Mirror reading” can help answer that question• “Mirror reading” is the analysis of a text for the reflection

(mirror) of its recipients. For example…23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 15

“Mirror Reading” Example

• 1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves

d th t th i t i

• Some people were claiming to be without sin

and the truth is not in us.23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 16

“Mirror Reading” Mt 5:38-42

• Members habitually solved • Resist not evil … avoid going

to court … give your i Mt 5 38 42

Members habitually solved their problems by going to law

• Going to law was profitablepossessions … — Mt 5:38-42 • Going to law was profitable23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 17

“Jural” allusions in Mt 5:21-41• 21 liable to the court • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 … liable to the court. • 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty

before the court … guilty before the supreme court ...

• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent









• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent pp y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into

p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into








p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. prison. 26 … come out of [prison] …prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorceprison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery

prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery 33 false vows





prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery 33 false vows commits adultery. commits adultery. 33 … false vows …commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... 38 … An eye for an eye …

commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... 38 … An eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist

commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... 38 … An eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist

commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... 38 … An eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist eye for an eye …eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist [at law?]…eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist [at law?]… 40 … if anyone wants to sue you …

eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist [at law?]… 40 … if anyone wants to sue you … 41 … force you to go one


mile …

Matthew 5:38-421 Thesis: Do not commit murder• All of the “theses” are 1. Thesis: Do not commit murder

Antithesis: Do not hate2. Thesis: Do not commit adultery

• All of the theses are “jural”

yAntithesis: Do not lust

3. Thesis: Certify your divorces

• That is, they all involve legal rights and obligations Antithesis: Do not divorce

4. Thesis: Keep your vowsA tith i D ’t k

obligations

• All of the “antitheses” Antithesis: Don’t make vows

5. Thesis: RetaliateAntithesis: Don’t retaliate

are non-jural

• That is they order life Antithesis: Don t retaliate6. Thesis: Hate your enemies

Antithesis: Love your enemies

That is, they order life without resort to the courts


y

Matthew 5:38-42“You have heard that it was said 1 Thesis: Do not commit murderYou have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I say to you,


2. Thesis: Do not commit adulterydo not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek turn to him the other also

yAntithesis: Do not lust

3. Thesis: Certify your divorcescheek, turn to him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him

Antithesis: Do not divorce4. Thesis: Keep your vows

A tith i D ’t k have your coat also. 41 “And whoever shall force you to go one mile go with him two 42

Antithesis: Don’t make vows5. Thesis: Retaliate

Antithesis: Don’t retaliateone mile, go with him two. 42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him

Antithesis: Don t retaliate6. Thesis: Hate your enemies

Antithesis: Love your enemies6. Thesis: Hate your enemies

Antithesis: Love your enemies“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you


yywho wants to borrow from you Summarizes the solution

to all of the above

Matthew 5:38-42“You have heard that it was said “Lex talionis”You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I say to you,

Lex talionisContext and rabbinic usagesuggests “resist” means “at law”

do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek turn to him the other also

The slap is likely insult vice injury

The lawsuit here is not yet a factcheek, turn to him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him

Offer tries to avoid going to court

Coat must be returned by nightfallhave your coat also. 41 “And whoever shall force you to go one mile go with him two 42

Coat must be returned by nightfall

Impressment was a matter of lawone mile, go with him two. 42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him

V42 goes to the attitude (preoccupation with gain) that prompts typical responses to all who wants to borrow from you


prompts typical responses to all of the above

• Jesus’ sermon addressed a culture Keeping Mt 5:38-42 in context…

• Jesus sermon addressed a culture in which …– Hatred was OK if it stopped short

– Lust was OK

ppof murder (vv21-26)

if it stopped short of

– Divorce was OKthe literal adultery (vv27-30)

if it gained a

– A deceptive oath was OK if it fit i t h i liti ( 33 37)

better wife (vv31-32)

– Lawsuits were OK if they i d ff ( 38 42)

pious technicalities (vv33- 37)

promised a payoff (vv38-42)23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 22

• All of the attitudes and behaviors Keeping Mt 5:38-42 in context…

• All of the attitudes and behaviors Jesus critiqued were unsuitable to new life within God’s Kingdomg

• The performative effect of Jesus’ sermon was to

performative

– Establish different norms for community

– Foster a different lifestyle— a different set of calculations into human relationships

– Make the courtroom irrelevant to lif ithi M tth ’ it

– Make the courtroom irrelevant to lif ithi M tth ’ it life within Matthew’s community


life within Matthew’s community

Performative vs. Informative Use of Language• Examples of performative • Examples of performative

speech include...– “That’s my seat" from a

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you mister and missus …

– That s my seat from a bully

– John 19:26 "Jesus said to John 19:26 Jesus... said to his mother, woman, here is your son," 27 and to the ydisciple, “Here is your mother“

– Sermon on the Mount?


Mt 5:38-42 in even larger context…• Mt 5:38-42 is in line with Paul’s • Mt 5:38-42 is in line with Paul s …

– Insistence that church disputes not be taken before unbelievers (1Cor be taken before unbelievers (1Cor 6:6)

– Willingness to be defrauded in Willingness to be defrauded in order that the believing community might prosper (1Cor 6:7)

– Emphasis on giving up rights in order to advance the kingdom (1Cor 9:12)

– Advice on church conflict in l (R 12 17 1 Th 5 15)general (Rom 12:17; 1 Thess 5:15)


Conclusion: The continuum of perspectives on Matthew …

M tth t hi l t

• Provide specific rules of • Re-order the religious life of

Matthew wrote his gospel to …

Provide specific rules of conduct that apply without qualification across time and

Re order the religious life of his community in harmony with its experience of God’s

space to all communities, individuals, and circumstances

inbreaking Kingdom

No interpretation required—J t d it!

Must be unpacked, d t d d k d Just do it! understood, and repackaged

for different cultural circumstances


circumstances

BACKUPSBACKUPS

Non-Resistance to Evil• Absolute non-resistance to evil is not in line with the NT as a • Absolute non-resistance to evil is not in line with the NT as a

whole. For example …– Acts 6:10 they [unbelieving Jews] were unable to cope with Acts 6:10 …they [unbelieving Jews] were unable to cope with

the wisdom and the Spirit with which [Stephen] was speaking.– Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is

translated) was opposing [Barnabas and Saul], seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

– Gal 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I [Paul] opposedhim to his face, because he stood condemned.

– Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to t d fistand firm.


“Resist” (Greek “anthistēmi”)2 Ti 4 15 B d i t hi [Al d th ith] • 2 Tim 4:15 Be on guard against him [Alexander, the coppersmith] yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.

• Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) √ Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing [Barnabas and Saul], seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.G C

√

√ • Gal 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I [Paul] opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

• Rom 9:19 You will say to me [Paul] then “Why does He [God] still

√

Rom 9:19 You will say to me [Paul] then, Why does He [God] still find fault? For who resists His will?”

• Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be √able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.


“Resist” (Greek “anthistēmi”)R 13 2 Th f h h i t th it h d th • Rom 13:2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.p

• Acts 6:10 And yet they [unbelieving Jews] were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which [Stephen] was speaking.

S f G f f

√

• Jas 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

• 2 Tim 3:8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses so these 2 Tim 3:8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith.

• 1 Pet 5:9 But resist him [the Devil], firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.


Matthew 5:43-48“You have heard that it was said ‘You You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love y y y y ,your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. unrighteous.


Matthew 5:43-4846 “For if you love those who love 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? g47 “And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 “Therefore you are to be perfect as your heavenly Father is be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


Documents

The Sermon on the Mount Pt 11 v1.pdf · injury is made to experience the same injury • OT references – Ex 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot (NASB)