“I tell you!

Unless your righteousness

Exceeds that of the scribes,

As well as the Pharisees,

You will never enter

The kingdom of heaven.”

 

λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.

 

Matthew showed the importance of righteousness (ἡ δικαιοσύνη). Once again, this is an important saying of Jesus with “I tell you (λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν)!” Interesting enough, he seemed to praise the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees (ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων). However, unless the righteousness of his followers exceeded (ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον) the righteousness of these Pharisees and Scribes, they would not receive the reward, entrance into the kingdom of heaven (οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν). This righteousness (ἡ δικαιοσύνη) was the acceptance and doing of God’s commandments.