Punny paraphrase: ... I send you simple puns, extended puns, contorted puns. Out of them, the simple ones will kill you, the extended ones will crucify you, and the contorted ones will scourge (sting) you in your pews, and will pursue you from city (many) to city (many) (you will not be able to un-hear them.)

There are, then, three play on words in sequence (as a third level meaning).
[tongue in cheek vs. tongue in check]

More: Matthew 23:33-36 Prophets and wise ones and scribes

• There are two main events or competitions.
• Great Commission (what Jesus wants you to do)
• Gifts on the altar (what birds want you to do)
• Which is the most important event or competition?
• Which is just a shadow of an event or competition?



More: Matthew 5:39 Turning the other cheek

More: Matthew 5:23-24 Alterated gifts

Here is a summary build of the progression. The verse structure is as follows.

Matthew 5:27-32: adultery/separation

• primary literal meaning of man and woman.
• secondary (intended) meaning Christ and church, etc.

Verse groups:

• 27-28. Passive desire (potential adultery in the mind).
• 29-30. Active desire rejected/blocked
• 31-32. Active desire accepted/separated (actualized adultery in reality)



More: Matthew 5:31-32 Cutout the adultery and divorce

5:39: But I say to you. Do not stand in place of the evil/oppression (get in the way of the adversary). But whoever [bones, enemy, hostile] shall cause thee to strike (rapidly, false start) on your [but a shadow] of a right jawbone (offensive weapon) [the (evil, oppressive) contest, competition] turn from that to the other [(true) contest, competition].

Example: Saul, later Paul, under orders from the religious establishment, sought to strike out (false start) on a (evil) contest or competition, but was directed to turn from that contest or competition to the true contest or competition. Interestingly, this example of Paul will fit the next few verses as a continuation of the analogy or story.

This verse relates to both the "altar" verse back in 5:23-24 and the "agree" with the "adversary" verse back in verses 5:25-26.

More: Matthew 5:39 Turning the other cheek

5:40: and the (evil religious institution, judger's) (who) desire to separate (judge) you and take your cloke (outer body), and so forgive or let go them (evil religious institution, judger's) (their) garment (of unrighteousness [I am what being?])

This idea will now be continued in the following verses. Is there precedent for "forgiving" others their "garments" of "unrighteousness"?

This idea will then be repeated in another way in a few more verses in terms of "love your enemies".

• How would you define an "enemy"?
• How would you define a "neighbor"?
• What is the difference?



Details are left as a future topic.






More: Matthew 5:40 A garment cloaked in separation

5:41 paraphrase: Whosoever [enemy, hostile, bones] compels (you) to be a messenger with a message one mile [with an indistinct message, millstone] go away with the message two [of God].

Example: Paul was compelled as a messenger of the religious institution to go one mile (with an indistinct message). Instead, he changed course and went two miles (and more) with a message of God.

More: Matthew 5:41 Walk a mile for a camel

Here is a bottom-up English written paraphrase from the top-down spoken Greek. [you give you]

5:32 paraphrase: Do not turn back/away from anyone desiring a loan from you (without repayment) for giving (dedicating) that person to the requesting (of) it (message/messenger of God).

In the top-down (spoken) Greek the later references are clear when spoken. In the bottom-up English, the references are not defined until later so they may need to be moved earlier in the paraphrase. That is, a look-ahead is required.

More: Matthew 5:42 Do not loan shirk

There are some interesting comparisons with Matthew 5:13-17 (salt verses) and 5:39-42 (cheek verses). In both cases, the verses (or parts of verses) are presented top-down and may make more sense (to many people) backwards in bottom-up form.

More: Matthew 5:13-16 Animal crackers

More: Matthew 5:42 Do not loan shirk

Pray:

• Forgive our debts to those who wanted us to do something their will and we, instead, did your will.
• Help us forgive the debts of those to whom we loaned so they could do your will.


Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [kjv]

Why do many modern translations change "debts" (clearly in the Greek) to "sins" or "trespasses" and then make them against us (not in the Greek)?

More: Matthew 6:9-13 Lord's Prayer verse model

Matthew 23:1 indicates the start of a discourse that includes both "disciples" (followers as learners) and the "multitude".

• The "multitude" corresponds to the "fish".
• The "disciples" correspond to the "sheep".

The ancient Greek word "ὄχλος" ≈ "multitude, crown" and may, thorough the Greek digamma, be related to the German word "Volk" ≈ "people" as in "Volkswagen" and to the English word "folk".

The ancient Greek word "μαθητής" ≈ "learner, disciple" and which is translated in the GNT (Greek New Testament) as "disciple". A "disciple" is someone who "learns" from a teacher. [mathematics]

More: Teaching and learning and mathematics

More: Greek digamma

Jesus then cites the authority of the religious establishment.

• The "Pharisees" correspond to the "birds".
• The "scribes" correspond to the "pigs" who work for the "birds".

What Jesus says appears to describe religious establishments throughout history both large and small.

How many "sit" in the "seat" of Moses? "All" of them!

Saying: If the shoe fits. Just saying. The "shoe" would go on a "foot" which is associated with the "fish" who "swim" in the "sea" of "humanity".

More: Matthew 5:27-28 Adulterated hearts

At the time, teachers usually sat to teach. An "endowed chair" in an academic school has that notion of "sitting" as a "teacher". A king or queen would rule from the "throne" in a sitting position.
The Latin phrase "ex cathedra" ≈ "from out of the chair" is used for the Pope to make "infallible" pronouncements.

How many "sit" in the "seat" of Moses? "All" of them! The "all" appears to have been moved to the start of the next verse.

More: Chosen falsehoods of inerrancy and infallibility

More: Matthew 23:6-12 Taking it to the birds

The ancient Greek word "σοφός" ≈ "clever, cunning" and is often translated as the English word "wise". [sophomore]

The ancient Greek word "μωρανθη" ≈ "foolish flower, foolish blossom" and will be used by Jesus to describe "salt" that is "not effective". The Latin word "stulti" ≈ "stupid".

Saying in academia:

• Those that cannot do, teach.
• Those that cannot teach, administrate.

Where does Jesus want you?

More: Matthew 5:13: Salt of the earth

More: A wise opportunity to be prudent

More: Matthew 5:1-2 Sermon on the mount audience

• Forget the elf on the shelf.
• Let's get some bleat on the seat.
• How about ewe in the pew?

You (ewe) got to agree that one was really (woolly) nice! I tried to lambaste (lamb past, or ram past) you (ewe) a sheepish joke that, I gather, you would have heard (herd) about. That is why many do not flock to my jokes, nor go past your (pasture) jokes.
Who wants "you" in the "pew"?

☐ "birds"
☐ Jesus

[wash one another's feet]

Today we know a lot more but we may not be more smart as a result of having TMI (Too Much Information). How about TMJ (Too Many Jokes)?

More: Matthew 5:1-2 Sermon on the mount audience

The comma as "," is important in English. Do you see (and hear) the difference?

• I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that ...
• I would not have you, ignorant brethren, that ...

• Let's eat, grandma.
• Let's eat grandma.

EUB (Evangelical United Brethren) or, for short, UB (United Brethren).

More: Ignorance of agnostic lack of belief

Sign: ALLIGATORS DO NOT SWIM HERE
Saying: See you later, alligator. In a while, crocodile.

[deer crossing sign]

More: Alligators and crocodiles

More: Ignorance of agnostic lack of belief

Greek has a number of words for negation.

• "δε" ≈ "(but) not" as a qualified negation (but).
• "ου" ≈ "not, no" with something more physical and actual. For example, an objective statement of fact.
• "μη" ≈ "not, no" with something more abstract and potential. For example, of a thought or wish.

These can be combined. The ancient Greek words "ου μη" ≈ "not not" appear in 137 verses in the GNT. This is a negative that includes both the abstract/potential and the physical/actual.
Other uses of the double negative are usually in the logical sense where two negations do make a positive. Do you know that two positives can make a negative? Yeah, right!

More: Do not no way use double negatives

Three Greek words for negation appear in this verse.

• "δε" ≈ "(but) not". This is a qualified negation (but).
• "μη" ≈ "not, no" with something more abstract and potential. For example, of a thought or wish. This is used with "do not after their works" (thought or wish).
• "ου" ≈ "not, no" with something more physical and actual. For example, an objective statement of fact. This is used with "do not" for what they "say" (objective statement).

What does Jesus think of their "works" (abstract and potential) compared to their "say" (physical and actual)?

• Do as I say, not as I do.

Greek, as most languages except English, use the double negative for an emphatic "not". The English requires that the middle "not" not be translated.

• "ου μη" ≈ "no not" and appears in 137 verses in the GNT.

Greek, as most languages, uses the logical negation when both words are not a plain "not".

More: Do not no way use double negatives

Greek: ... all (do) not be sick/distressed if/when they say ...

• "οὔν" ≈ "therefore".
• "ὅσα" ≈ "as far as".
• "ἐάν" ≈ "if, when".

(move spaces, inflect one vowel)

• "ου" ≈ "not, no".
• "νόσε" ≈ "be sick, be distressed, etc." (vocative singular) from "νόσος" ≈ "sickness, disease, illness, plague, misery, suffering, distress"
• "αν" ≈ "if, when".

This exact wording is used only two times in the GNT, both an Matthew and by Jesus, and not in the LXX.

Jesus will use the Greek word for "sick" or "distressed" as a play on words later in this discourse.

Paraphrase (last part of verse): ... how often I (like you snakes) would/could have gathered together (in my den of thieves) your children in the way a bird [evil cave] gathers her [sick/weak, diseased] chicks (little birds) under the wings (of the temple) [breaking the father] and you did not care nor want to [you Satan].

Discuss: How much theological importance should be put on what Jesus says when what was said appears to be facetious remarks, as a parody, on what has happened?

• "νόσος" ≈ "sickness, disease, distress".
• "νεοσσός" ≈ "young bird, chick"

[sheep and goats, identify the young/sick birds]

More: Matthew 23:37-39 Seeing the big house as it is

Here are the first four Greek words in the verse.

• "πάντα" ≈ "always, all, whole". A usage of plural means "all" as "everything" is taken as a whole and there may be exceptions within that whole.
• "οὔν" ≈ "therefore". This statement is predicated on previous statements. In this case, the religious elite sit in the seat of Moses (previous verse).
• "ὅσα" ≈ "as far as" which is a synonym of "ὡς" ≈ "like, as, according to". This word indicates that there may be exceptions to what follows.
• "ἐάν" ≈ "if, when". This is a conditional that is dependent on the following precondition for the following postcondition to apply (bottom-up reasoning).

Paraphrase: All (with exceptions) therefore as far as (with exceptions) if/when (requirement to apply) they say to you ...

The KJV use of all ... whatsoever in the English of today does not capture the meaning of the Greek.

More: Everything and all things: But wait, there's more

The ancient Greek word "πάντα" ≈ "always, all, whole".
A usage of plural means "all" as "everything" is taken as a whole and there may be exceptions within that whole. A usage of singular would mean that there are no exceptions.

In this case, the Greek word used in the accusative could be masculine singular or neuter plural.

There appears to be a parsing issue, made worse by the added words in the TR along with a change in word order. The Greek word meanings are used in the following.

☐ 1. "all therefore as far as if/when the religious elite says to you to do, adhere and do. But not according to their works, do not ..."
☐ 2. "all therefore as far as if/when the religious elite says to you: Do this! And adhere to this! But not according to their works, do not ..."

Discuss: Which of these might the religious elite prefer? Why?

Berean Literal Bible: therefore keep and observe all things whatsoever they might tell you. But do not do according to their works, for they preach and do not act.

Modern "hypocrite": Do what I say, not what I do.

Jesus often calls the religious elite "hypocrites". He does not do so here. Why? The word "hypocrite" meant "pretending" or "acting". The word as a technical term came from the theater where actors would "pretend".

More: An actor as a hypocrite is not real

The ancient Greek word "ὑποκριτής" ≈ "actor, pretender" and comes from "ὑποκρίνομαι" ≈ "answer, interpret, play a part as an actor".

Since one cannot determine what someone is thinking, one needs to compare what someone is saying with what God says to detect important differences. A deceiver would want to change what the people think that God is saying to avoid such a comparison.

A modern English "hypocrite" says to do something but they actually do something else. This can be measured to see who is greatest.
An ancient Greek "hypocrite" says to do something, and they may in fact do this something, but their thoughts (heart) is not in line with what they say. They are "pretending". In this case, as a deception to have dominion over other human beings.

Find the modern and ancient use of the idea of a hypocrite in the following: Salesperson: I use this product. I am not a hypocrite. Of course, I know it is a piece of junk, but I want to sell that junk to you for your money.

More: An actor as a hypocrite is not real

It can be a mixed blessing to have a pastor with an acting background.

Actors speak of things imaginary as if they were real, while you preachers too often speak of things real as if they were imaginary. Thomas Betterton (English actor and theater manager during Restoration England) (1635-1710)

• Actors (tend to) take an imaginary world and make it seem real.
• Pastors (tend to) take a real world and make it seem imaginary.

With a pastor with an acting background, it can be hard at times to separate reality from fiction.

More: Truth types: logic, reality, opinion

More: An actor as a hypocrite is not real

Paraphrase: Saying, on the seat of Moses sit the scribes (hand motion) and the Pharisees (hand motion other way). All (motion of both hands). Therefore as when [do not be sick/distressed when] they say to you: Do this! (hand motion one direction) Observe that! (hand motion other direction). But according to the works of them, you should not do (head shake), For they say but do not do.

Discuss: Why would the religious elite prefer that these verses say that they should be obeyed in what they say? Are they infallible because they sit on a special seat?

• "ὦμος" ≈ "shoulder". Figuratively, as in below the top (of the head), it could be the fork of a vine. The modern Greek word "ώμος" (O-mos) ≈ "shoulder".
• "ὠμός" ≈ "rude, raw, savage".
• "ὅμως" ≈ "nevertheless, yet, all the same" (if applicable) as a play on words.
• "ὁμός" ≈ "same, common, joint".
• "ὁ Μωϋσῆ" ≈ "the Moses" and "μωυσεως" ≈ "Moses" (Matthew 23:2).

The ancient Greek word "βαρύς" ≈ "heavy, weighty, deep" which is the source of the English word "barometer".

The "heavy" "burden" (word related to "tax") is to be contrasted with Jesus saying that his "burden" (same word, related to "tax") is "light" (in contrast to "heavy").

• "φόρτος" ≈ "load, cargo".
• "φορτίον" ≈ "load, cargo" (diminutive)
• "φόρος" ≈ "tribute, tax".



More: Matthew 17:24-27 Tacky attacks on a senseless tax

In the Epistle of Barnabas, the writer explains at length, quoting verses such as found in Isaiah (and elsewhere), to point out that Jesus removes the "yoke of compulsion".

Any religious establishment that profits from that "yoke of compulsion" would not want the Epistle of Barnabas included in the canon. Another disputed book, Hebrews, was included. Interesting, Hebrews includes many verses that appear to support a "yoke of compulsion" while some verses in the Epistle of Barnabas appear to be mistranslated (to provide continued support for not including it in the canon).

[Amos, Isaiah, Jesus (Matthew 23, etc.)]

More: Matthew 11:12-14 Exploring the Kingdom of Heaven

More: Epistle of Barnabas

More: Amos 5: The yoke of compulsion

The lack of need for a religious hierarchy or "yoke" of "compulsion" as Barnabas explains, from the teachings of Jesus about the "kingdom of heaven", would not have appealed to a human sand hierarchy interested in secular power.


The Greek for "easy" is that of being "useful" and is a play on words with the Greek word for "Christ". The word "yoke" means, literally, "two going together".

• The ancient Greek word "χρηστός" ≈ "useful, good".
• The ancient Greek word "χριστός" ≈ "anointed one, Christ".
• Without the play on words: My yoke is useful.
• With the play on words: My yoke is Christ.

The word for "burden" was also a word for "tax". What is the "tax" of the "yoke" of "compulsion"? Think "altars" and "sacrifices" and "money tables".

• "φόρτος" ≈ "load, cargo" and "φορτίον" ≈ "load, cargo" (diminutive)
• "φόρος" ≈ "tribute, tax".



More: Romans 16 A belly-ache pun on useful Christ-like words

More: Matthew 17:24-27 Tacky attacks on a senseless tax

More: Matthew 5:23-24 Alterated gifts

More: Matthew 11:12-14 Exploring the Kingdom of Heaven

The ancient Greek word "κίνησις" ≈ "motion, dance" and is the source of the English word "kinetic". In context, the word can mean "revolt", "inflection" or other "action". The word comes from the ancient Greek word "κινέω" ≈ "move" and is related to the Latin word "cieo" ≈ "move".

The "movement" is similar to the idea of "execution" or "running" the "code" with "data" in computer science.

Aristotle uses this word for what philosophers call the "efficient" cause which comes, through French, from the Latin word "efficere" ≈ "work out, accomplish" and is the source of the English word "effect".

More: John 1:1-5 Four causes in a design and implementation model

More: Aristotle

Paraphrase: For they load/bind heavy [Rabbi] burdens [taxes] and place [view] them on the shoulder [Moses] of men but (of) the finger [then compassion] (they) do not desire [neither mercy] to move [overcome] them.

The "heavy" play on words with "Rabbi" will be used in a few verses. Part of the word for "place" is that of "view" and will be a play on words in the next verse. "Moses" was used two verses earlier. Jesus wall talk of "compassion" in a few verses.

• Who are the "saints"?
• Do true "saints" make "war"?

The Greek word translated "with" is ambiguous as is the English "with".

• ... make war after/with (against) the saints.
• ... make war after/with (in alliance with) the saints.

The KJV appears to omit "tribes" which is in the Greek and in the Latin. Perhaps the "tribes" are lumped in with the "peoples".

More: Think after what you heard and repent

More: Song: Victory in Jesus

More: Revelation 13:3-13 Beastly wound worship

Did they have the power to "move" their "fingers" and have someone do something to reduce "load" of the "burden"?

Did Jesus ever "move" his "finger" or "fingers" to help anyone? Did Jesus ever "move" his "fingers" with "compassion"?

Throughout history, the best military leaders have connected with their soldiers and been willing to do what they have to do. (examples omitted). Jesus does this by example at the Last Supper when he washes the feet of the disciples as an example. (details omitted)

Jesus lifted or used his "fingers" or "finger" to help someone. Note that two witnesses are needed to condemn someone. Did Jesus condemn anyone in his first coming?

More: John 8:1-20 A top-down view of the woman caught in adultery

Paraphrase: ... The scribes (point one way with one hand) and Pharisees (point other way with other hand) sit in the seat of Moses. All (of them, emphasize hands still pointing both ways)! Therefore (lower hands), as much as if [Do not be sick/distressed when] they say to you: You do (this, point one way with one hand)! You follow (that, point other way with other hand)!(lower hands) But according to their works: Do not do! (shake head) For they (also) do not do (what they say)! (shake head again). ...

Paraphrase: For they load/bind heavy [Rabbi] burdens [taxes] and place [view] them on the shoulder [Moses] of men but (of) the finger [then compassion] (they) do not desire [neither mercy] to move [overcome] them.

Jesus only says that there are things one should not do. He never answers the question as to what command to follow and what command to not follow. There is no easy general answer since a specific command and context would be needed to answer that question.

Paraphrase: But all their works they do to be seen [as Athena, yes, Greek goddess of birds and snakes, etc.] of men. They widen (wide area) their phylacteries (prisons, sanctuaries) and make great the borders [head shackles].
The TR adds "of their garments" which breaks the model.

More: Matthew 23:5 Broad prison boxes and head shackles

The Greek for "fringes" is that of "wings". That is, the "borders" on the "wings" of the "garments".

The ancient Greek word "πτερύγιον" ≈ "fin, wing, etc.".

More: Matthew 23:5 Broad prison boxes and head shackles

•  Matthew 23:1-4 Jesus fingers the talk about works (this page)
• Matthew 23:5 Broad prison boxes and head shackles
• Matthew 23:6-12 Taking it to the birds
• Matthew 23:13-23 Woe to the hypocrites
• Matthew 23:24 So far as the net gain of a gnat into a canopy
• Matthew 23:25-26 Cleaning the cup and bowl
• Matthew 23: 27-32 Measured with the white tombs
• Matthew 23:33-36 Prophets and wise ones and scribes
• Matthew 23:37-39 Seeing the big house as it is



More: Matthew

Matthew 24 is known as the Olivet Discourse where Jesus, at the request of the disciples, talks of the End Times or "All of it".

• Matthew 24:1-2 Seeing the cites at the house of the temple
• Matthew 24:3 All of it in the Olivet Discourse
• Matthew 24:4-5 False Christs and all of it
• Matthew 24:6-7 Wars and rumors of wars
• Matthew 24:8-14 Beginning of sorrows
• Matthew 24:15-20 Delimiting the boundary of the region of a mountain
• Matthew 24:21-24 Short day cutoff
• Matthew 24:25-31 Told before
• Matthew 24:32-35 End time fig trees
• Matthew 24:37-42 Days of Noah
• Matthew 24:36 Day and hour
• Matthew 24:43 Identity of the householder
• Matthew 24:43-51 Parable of the evil servant

The Olivet Discourse continues into chapter 25.

More: Matthew

This chapter continues the Olivet Discourse on the End Times from the previous chapter. The parables in this chapter could be called the division parables because each deals with various forms of division into groups.

• Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of the ten virgins
• Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the talents in Matthew
• Matthew 25:31-46 Parable of the sheep and goats

Note that there is no division of the "birds". They are without the Father and will all fall.

More: Matthew