SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:20
Porque os digo, que si vuestra justicia (rectitud) no fuere mayor que la de los escribas y de los fariseos, no entraris en el Reino de los cielos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:20
Verse 20. Except your righteousness shall exceed] perisseush, Unless your righteousness abound more-unless it take in, not only the letter, but the spirit and design of the moral and ritual precept; the one directing you how to walk so as to please God; the other pointing out Christ, the great Atonement, through and by which a sinner is enabled to do so- more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, who only attend to the letter of the law, and had indeed made even that of no effect by their traditions-ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. This fully explains the meaning of the preceding verse. The old English word is , right-wiseness, i.e. complete, thorough, excellent Wisdom. For a full explanation of this verse, see Luke xviii. 10, &c.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 20. For I say unto you , etc.] These words are directed, not to the true disciples of Christ in general, or to his apostles in particular, but to the whole multitude of the people; who had in great esteem and admiration the Scribes and Pharisees, for their seeming righteousness and holiness; concerning which Christ says, that except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven . He mentions the Scribes, because they were the more learned part of the people, who were employed in writing out, and expounding the law; and the Pharisees, because they were the strictest sect among the Jews for outward religion and righteousness; and yet, it seems, their righteousness was very defective; it lay only in an external observance of the law; did not arise from a purified heart, or the principles of grace; nor was it performed sincerely, and with a view to the glory of God; but for their own applause, and in order to obtain eternal life: besides, they neglected the weightier matters of the law, and contented themselves with the lesser ones; and as they were deficient in their practice, so they were very lax in their doctrines, as appears from the foregoing verse. Wherefore Christ informs his hearers, that they must have a better righteousness than these men had, if ever they expected to enter into the kingdom of heaven. There will be no admission into heaven without a righteousness: it was the loss of righteousness which removed Adam out of his earthly paradise; and it is not agreeable to the justice of God, to admit man into his heavenly paradise without one; yea, it is contrary to his nature, and would be destructive to the comfort of saints, to receive an unrighteous person into his kingdom and glory. A pharisaical righteousness will never bring a person thither; nor will any righteousness of mans, be it what it will, because the best is imperfect; it must be a righteousness exceeding that of the Scribes and Pharisees; and such is the righteousness of the saints: indeed their inherent righteousness, or the sanctification of the Spirit, is preferable to any righteousness of a natural man; it exceeds it in its author, nature, effects, and usefulness; yea, even works of righteousness done by believers are greatly preferable to any done by such men as are here mentioned: but, above all, the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to them, and received by faith, is infinitely more excellent in its author, perfection, purity, and use; and which is their only right and title to eternal glory; and without which no man will be admitted into that glorious state.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17-20 - Let none suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with an commands of God's holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ's justifyin righteousness, till he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence. The la is the Christian's rule of duty, and he delights therein. If a man pretending to be Christ's disciple, encourages himself in any allowe disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same whatever his station or reputation among men may be, he can be no tru disciple. Christ's righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, i needed by every one that enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness, produces a thorough chang in a man's temper and conduct.
Greek Textus Receptus
λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S γαρ 1063 CONJ υμιν 5213 P-2DP οτι 3754 CONJ εαν 1437 COND μη 3361 PRT-N περισσευση 4052 5661 V-AAS-3S η 3588 T-NSF δικαιοσυνη 1343 N-NSF υμων 5216 P-2GP πλειον 4119 A-ASN-C των 3588 T-GPM γραμματεων 1122 N-GPM και 2532 CONJ φαρισαιων 5330 N-GPM ου 3756 PRT-N μη 3361 PRT-N εισελθητε 1525 5632 V-2AAS-2P εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF βασιλειαν 932 N-ASF των 3588 T-GPM ουρανων 3772 N-GPM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:20 {Shall exceed} (perisseusei pleion). Overflow like a river out of its banks and qen Jesus adds "more" followed by an unexpressed ablative (tes dikaiosunes), brachylogy. A daring statement on Christ's part that they had to be better than the rabbis. They must excel the scribes, the small number of regular teachers (#5:21-48), and the Pharisees in the Pharisaic life (#6:1-18) who were the separated ones, the orthodox pietists.
