Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 5:43-48

"Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others?] do not even the Gentiles the same? Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." — Matthew 5:43-48 (ASV)

The Jewish teachers understood “neighbor” to mean only those who were of their own country, nation, and religion, whom they regarded as their friends. The Lord Jesus teaches that we must do all the real kindness we can to everyone, especially to their souls. We must pray for them.

While many will return good for good, we must return good for evil; and this will demonstrate a nobler principle than most people live by. Others greet their brethren, and embrace those of their own party, and way, and opinion, but we must not restrict our respect so narrowly. It is the duty of Christians to desire, aim for, and press towards perfection in grace and holiness.

And in this, we must strive to conform ourselves to the example of our heavenly Father, 1 Peter 1:15–16. Surely more is to be expected from the followers of Christ than from others; surely more will be found in them than in others. Let us plead with God to enable us to prove ourselves his children.