What does Matthew 5:45 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 5:45 is a verse from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus is speaking to His disciples and the gathered crowd.

The verse emphasizes God's impartiality in bestowing the gifts of nature – both the sun's light and the rain's sustenance – on all people, regardless of their moral character.

He uses these examples of common grace to illustrate God's non-discriminatory love and kindness.

The deeper meaning suggests that as followers of Christ, people should emulate God's love by loving not only those who are good to them but also those who are not, transcending natural human inclinations to reciprocate only to those from whom we receive good.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the New Testament, written in a time when Jesus of Nazareth was preaching to Jews under Roman occupation.

During this period, Jewish culture was deeply rooted in the laws of the Old Testament, which included concepts of retribution and justice.

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:45 signifies a shift from the traditional understanding of justice to a message of universal love and mercy.

It was intended to challenge the listeners to rethink their attitudes towards others, encouraging a radical form of ethical conduct that went beyond the cultural norms of the time.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints offer various insights into this verse:

• Traditional Christian Theology interprets this verse as an example of God's grace which is available to all humanity.

The indiscriminate nature of God's gifts calls on believers to show indiscriminate love.

• Liberation Theology might suggest that this verse shows God's concern for all, especially the marginalized, and it challenges believers to work towards social justice for everyone.
• Calvinist or Reformed Theology might focus on the common grace aspect of the verse, which is God's grace that is extended to all of God's creation, as opposed to the specific saving grace which is only for the elect.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse can be applied by:

• Encouraging individuals to show kindness and love to everyone, not just those who are kind to them.
• Reminding people to avoid prejudice and to treat others equally, without discrimination.
• Inspiring acts of charity and service to the community that are inclusive of all people, irrespective of their social, moral, or religious backgrounds.

Cross-References

• Luke 6:35: "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."
• Romans 2:11: "For there is no respect of persons with God."
• Acts 14:17: "Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
• James 5:7: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.

Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."

Language Study

The key term in the original Greek language of Matthew 5:45 is "ἀνατέλλει" (anatellei), which translates as "to rise." This verb points to the sun's rising, which is a daily event that occurs without discrimination.

Another important word is "δίκαιος" (dikaios) meaning "righteous" or "just," and "ἀδικος" (adikos) meaning "unrighteous" or "unjust," showcasing the contrast between different types of people who receive God's blessings.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient myths and religious interpretations, many faith systems emphasize a reward-punishment dynamic where deities bless or curse based on behavior.

However, the message in Matthew 5:45 aligns more closely with universalist perspectives found in some traditions that reflect a more inclusive divine benevolence.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings affirm that natural processes like the rising sun and rainfall are impartial and do not target specific individuals or groups. In this sense, the verse is in line with the impersonal nature of these phenomena.

However, the scientific perspective doesn't typically address the theological implications of God's role in these processes.

Commentaries

Various experts and biblical scholars offer insights into this verse:

• John Stott, an Anglican cleric, emphasizes that Jesus is teaching His followers the nature of God's love which is selfless and free of favoritism, and thus calls them to love the same way.
• William Barclay notes that this verse illustrates the perfection of God’s love that Jesus calls His followers to emulate, which is a love that is bestowed upon everyone, not based on merit but based on the nature of God as love.
• R.T.

France, a biblical scholar, points to the radical element of Jesus' teachings in this verse, suggesting the novelty of the concept of universal love in the context of a culture that valued reciprocal relationships and justice-oriented retribution.