MAT 5:20 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Let me tell all of you, unless you’re more godly than the religious teachers and the Pharisees, there’s no way that you’ll get to enter the heavenly kingdom.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For I say to you that unless your righteousness abounds more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will certainly not enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

UST Here is what I mean: You need to do what is right even more than the teachers of the Jewish law and the Pharisees do. That is the only way to participate in God’s heavenly kingdom.

MSB For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds [that] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

BLB For I say to you that unless your righteousness shall abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall never enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

AICNT [“For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of the heavens.][fn]

5:20, Verse 20 is absent from D(05).

OEB Indeed I tell you that, unless you obey God’s commands better than of the teachers of the Law, and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

JQT “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness may abound above the scribes and Pharisees, never no never might you enter into the kingdom of the heavens.”

WEBBE For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

LSV For I say to you that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, you may not enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

FBV I tell you, unless your moral rightness[fn] is more than that of the religious teachers and the Pharisees, you can never enter the kingdom of heaven.

5:20 “Moral rightness”: Literally, “righteousness.” However, this term is little used in general non-church language and so in this translation it is replaced with phrases such as “those who live right” or “those who do good/right” etc. This is more than being correct, it means living a life that is morally right.

TCNT For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

T4T Keep this in mind: You assume that the Pharisees and the men who teach our laws faithfully obey what God commands. But if you do not obey those laws better than they obey them, you will by no means enter the place where God rules.”

LEB For I say to you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter into the kingdom of heaven.

BBE For I say to you, If your righteousness is not greater than the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never go into the kingdom of heaven.

Moff For I tell you, unless your goodness excels that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the Realm of heaven.

Wymth For I assure you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will certainly not find entrance into the Kingdom of the Heavens.

ASV For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

DRA For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

YLT 'For I say to you, that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens.

Drby For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness surpass [that] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

RV For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye/you_all shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. )

SLT For I say to you, That except your justice abound more than the scribes and Pharisees, ye should not come into the kingdom of the heavens.

Wbstr For I say to 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.

KJB-1769 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.
( For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye/you_all shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. )

KJB-1611 For I say vnto you, That except your righteousnesse shall exceede the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees, yee shall in no case enter into the kingdome of heauen.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from marking of added words (and possibly capitalisation and punctuation))

Bshps For I say vnto you: except your righteousnes, excede the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall not enter into the kyngdome of heauen.
(For I say unto you: except your righteousness, excede the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye/you_all shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.)

Gnva For I say vnto you, except your righteousnes exceede the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharises, ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.
(For I say unto you, except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye/you_all shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. )

Cvdl For I saye vnto you: excepte youre rightewesnes exceade the righetewesnes of the Scribes and Pharises, ye can not entre in to the kyngdome of heauen.
(For I say unto you: except your(pl) rightewesnes exceed the righetewesnes of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye/you_all cannot enter in to the kingdom of heaven.)

TNT For I saye vnto you except youre rightewesnes excede the righetewesnes of the Scribes and Pharises ye cannot entre into the kyngdome of heven.
(For I say unto you except your(pl) rightewesnes excede the righetewesnes of the Scribes and Pharisees ye/you_all cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. )

Wycl And Y seie to you, that but your riytfulnesse be more plenteuouse than of scribis and of Farisees, ye schulen not entre into the kyngdom of heuenes.
(And I say to you, that but your rightfulness/righteousness be more plenteous/plentiful than of scribes and of Pharisees, ye/you_all should not enter into the kingdom of heavens.)

Luth Denn ich sage euch: Es sei denn eure Gerechtigkeit besser denn der Schriftgelehrten und Pharisäer, so werdet ihr nicht in das Himmelreich kommen.
(Because I said you: It be because/than your(pl) justice better because/than the/of_the scribes and Pharisees, so become you(pl)/their/her not in the heaven_riches/kingdom coming.)

ClVg Dico enim vobis, quia nisi abundaverit justitia vestra plus quam scribarum et pharisæorum, non intrabitis in regnum cælorum.[fn]
(Sayo because to_you(pl), because except abundaverit justice your plus how scribe/clerkrum and pharisæorum, not/no you_will_enter in/into/on kingdom of_the_heavens. )

5.20 Dico autem vobis. Cum ait, dico, magnam vim et profundam intelligentiam cogitandi incussit: ostendit quomodo superaddit. Et non quæ prius mandaverat, absolvit. Plus etiam est diligere inimicos quam non odisse: non cupere, quam non adulterari: non irasci, quam non occidere. Nisi, etc. Id est, non solum minima legis præcepta impleveritis, sed et ea quæ addo: quia dum fiunt addita ad perfectionem, etiam hæc plenius aguntur quæ præmissa sunt ad inchoationem: quia qui non videt mulierem ad concupiscendum eam, nec fornicatur: nec occidit qui non irascitur. Justitia vestra. Justitiam Pharisæorum vocat omnia illa ad cultum Dei actualiter præcepta: seu figurarum mystica tantum ad litteram instituta.

5.20 Sayo however to_you(pl). Since he_said, I_mean/say, great force and deepm intelligence forcesandi incussit: he_showed how superaddit. And not/no which first/before had_ordered, absolvit. Plus also it_is to_love enemies how not/no odisse: not/no cupere, how not/no adulteressri: not/no angerci, how not/no to_kill. Nisi, etc. That it_is, not/no only minima law commands(n) fulfilledis, but and them which addo: because while are_made addsa to perfection, also these_things more_fully are_being_done which beforemissa are to inchoationem: because who/which not/no he_sees woman to concupiscendum her, but_not fornicatur: but_not killed who/which not/no is_angry. Justice your. Justicem of_the_Pharisees he_calls everything that to worship of_God actualiter commands(n): seu figure/formrum mystica only to literally institutions.

UGNT λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν, ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν.
(legō gar humin, hoti ean maʸ perisseusaʸ humōn haʸ dikaiosunaʸ pleion tōn grammateōn kai Farisaiōn, ou maʸ eiselthaʸte eis taʸn Basileian tōn Ouranōn.)

SBL-GNT λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ⸂ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη⸃ πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.
(legō gar humin hoti ean maʸ perisseusaʸ ⸂humōn haʸ dikaiosunaʸ⸃ pleion tōn grammateōn kai Farisaiōn, ou maʸ eiselthaʸte eis taʸn basileian tōn ouranōn.)

RP-GNT Λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ἡ δικαιοσύνη ὑμῶν πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.
(Legō gar humin hoti ean maʸ perisseusaʸ haʸ dikaiosunaʸ humōn pleion tōn grammateōn kai Farisaiōn, ou maʸ eiselthaʸte eis taʸn basileian tōn ouranōn.)

TC-GNT Λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ [fn]ἡ δικαιοσύνη ὑμῶν πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.
(Legō gar humin hoti ean maʸ perisseusaʸ haʸ dikaiosunaʸ humōn pleion tōn grammateōn kai Farisaiōn, ou maʸ eiselthaʸte eis taʸn basileian tōn ouranōn. )

5:20 η δικαιοσυνη υμων ¦ υμων η δικαιοσυνη CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

For many years, English versions and Christians have commonly referred to Matthew 5–7 as “The Sermon on the Mount.” In some translations, it may be helpful to include a heading for chapters 5–7 that is on a level above the section heading for 5:1–12.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Sermon on the Mountain

The sermon that Jesus preached on a mountain

Jesus taught people on the side of a mountain/hill

5:20

The Jews considered the Pharisees and the teachers of the law to be the most righteous people because they closely followed the commandments. So what Jesus said here would have shocked his hearers. He did not consider most of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees to be truly righteous.

5:20a–b

unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven: The Greek text has a negative in each clause:

if your righteousness does not surpass…, you will certainly not enter…

In some languages, it may be necessary to adjust the way the negatives are used in order for the correct meaning between the clauses to be clear.

Here are some other ways to translate these clauses:

you will be able to enter the kingdom of heaven only if you are more faithful than the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires. (GNT)

your goodness must be a far better thing than the goodness of the scribes and Pharisees before you can set foot in the kingdom of Heaven at all! (JBP)

You must obey God’s commands better than the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law obey them. If you don’t, I promise you that you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. (CEV)

5:20a

For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,

I assure you^(plur) that you must be more righteous than the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. If you are not,
So listen: you^(plur) must do what is right more completely than the Pharisees and the teachers of the law of Moses do. If you are not more righteous than they,

For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For indicates that the words in 5:20 are a further explanation of the ideas in 5:17–19.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

then (GNT)

So

Therefore

Many English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it may not be necessary to translate it either.

I tell you: The words I tell you emphasize the importance of the words that follow. This phrase is similar to “For I tell you truly” (in 5:18a) except that it does not have the word translated as “truly.”

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

I assure you

listen

unless your righteousness: The word righteousness refers here to doing what is right and good in God’s sight. A righteous person has good morals and is honest.

Here are some other ways to translate righteousness:

you do what is right

you do what God wills/desires

doing what God requires (GNT)

you do what God considers right

This same word occurs in 5:6a.

exceeds: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as exceeds also means “surpasses” or “is better/greater than.”

Here are some other ways to translate exceeds:

is greater/more/better than

goes beyond (NET)

scribes: The Greek word that the BSB translates as scribes refers to men who studied, interpreted, and taught the law of Moses. These men were called scribes because their original work was to copy the laws of Moses by hand. In New Testament times, this was no longer their main task.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

teachers of the law (NIV)

teachers of the Law of Moses

teachers of religious law (NLT)

experts in the law (NET)

This word also occurs in 2:4. You should translate it here as you did there.

Pharisees: The Pharisees were a Jewish religious group or party known for teaching a very strict obedience to the law of Moses. See how you translated this term in 3:7.

5:20b

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

you^(plur) will not enter the kingdom of the one who lives in heaven.
you^(plur) will never become a citizen/member of the kingdom of the one who lives in heaven.
you^(plur) will never be among those whom God rules.”

never: The Greek words that the BSB translates as never is a stronger way to say “not.”

Here are some ways to translate these words:

certainly not (NIV)

never (RSV)

enter the kingdom of heaven: In this context, the word enter refers to “becoming a citizen of.” When people believe in Jesus, they become citizens/members of the kingdom of heaven.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

become a citizen of the kingdom of heaven

become one of those who are in the kingdom of the one who lives in heaven

be added to those over whom God rules

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: λέγω Γάρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐάν μή περισσεύσῃ ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καί Φαρισαίων οὒ μή εἰσέλθητε εἰς τήν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν)

Here, the word For introduces a further explanation of what Jesus said in the previous verse about how important it is to obey even the least important laws. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a further explanation, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: [In fact,] or [Even more,]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-exceptions

ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν Βασιλείαν τῶν Οὐρανῶν

If, in your language, it would appear that Jesus was contradicting a statement that he was about to make, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. Alternate translation: [you will only enter into the kingdom of the heavens if your righteousness abounds more than that of the scribes and Pharisees]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

περισσεύσῃ ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων

˓may˒_abound ˱of˲_you_all ¬the righteousness more ˱of˲_the scribes

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of righteousness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [you are more righteous than the scribes]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

οὐ μὴ

The words translated as certainly not are two negative words. In this construction, the second negative does not cancel the first to create a positive meaning. Instead, it gives greater emphasis to the negative. If your language can use two negatives that do not cancel one another to create a positive meaning, you could use a double negative here. If your language does not use two negatives in that way, you could translate with one strong negative, as the ULT does. Alternate translation: [by no means]

Parallel MAT 5:20

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

5:20

5:20a–b

5:20a

5:20b