Matthew 5:20

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

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples on the mountainside, positioning this declaration between warnings about keeping the commandments and the first antithesis on murder.

The words — The Greek verb περισσεύσῃ (perisseusē) literally means "shall abound" or "exceed," indicating a measurable surpassing of another group's moral standing.

The thread — This demand for surpassing righteousness runs into Philippians 3:9, which contrasts a righteousness derived from the law with one received through faith in Christ, and aligns with Romans 10:2, which records religious zeal that operates without true knowledge.

Why it lands — The text explicitly states that kingdom entry is impossible without a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, requiring a reader to abandon reliance on external religious performance and seek a transformed moral foundation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Romans 10:2 For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.
Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
Romans 9:30 What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
Matthew 23:2 “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.
John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.