Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 7:12

"All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets." — Matthew 7:12 (ASV)

The word “therefore” probably refers to the entire body of the sermon (5:17– 7:12), for here there is a second reference to “the Law and the Prophets” ; Jesus stresses that he has taught about the true direction in which the OT law points, i.e., the Golden Rule. This rule sums up the Law and the Prophets (cf. Romans 13:9). In the context of fulfilling the Scriptures, it provides a handy summary of the righteousness to be displayed in the kingdom (cf. 5:20).

The verb translated “sums up” (lit., “is”) might properly be translated “fulfills,” as in Ac 2:16. In the deepest sense, therefore, the rule is the Law and the Prophets in the same way as the kingdom is the fulfillment of all that the Law and the Prophets foretold.