Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 5:48

"Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." — Matthew 5:48 (ASV)

It is best to understand v.48 as the conclusion to all the antitheses. The OT background to this verse is Lev 19:2, with “holy” displaced by “perfect” (GK 5455). Here for the first time perfection is predicated of God.

In the light of the preceding verses (vv.17–47), Jesus is saying that the true direction in which the law has always pointed is not toward mere judicial restraints, concessions arising out of the hardness of human hearts, still less casuistical perversions, nor even the “law of love.” No, it pointed rather to all the perfection of God, exemplified by the authoritative interpretation of the law bound up in the preceding antitheses. This perfection Jesus’ disciples must emulate if they are truly followers of him who fulfills the Law and the Prophets (v.17).