Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 5:19

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:19 (ASV)

Our King has not come to abolish the law, but to confirm and reassert it. His commands are eternal, and if any of its teachers should, through error, break His law and teach that its least command is nullified, they will lose rank and sink to the lowest place. The ranking in His kingdom is ordered according to obedience. Not birth, knowledge, or success will make a man great, but humble and precise obedience, both in word and in deed.

Whosoever shall do and teach, he is the man who shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, the Lord Jesus does not set up a milder law, nor will He allow any of His servants to presume to do so. Our King fulfills the ancient law, and His Spirit works in us to will and to do of God's good pleasure, as set forth in the unchangeable statutes of righteousness.

Lord, make me a truly loyal subject of Your kingdom, and may I both do and teach according to Your Word! Whether I am little or great on earth, make me great in obedience to You.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

A true man may make mistakes, and so he may teach men to violate one or another of the divine commandments. If he does so, he will not perish, for he was honest in his blunder; but he will be among the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he who earnestly, perseveringly, and conscientiously teaches all that he knows of the divine will, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.