Matthew 5: 38-42: Passage Analysis

I would like to begin my paper with discussing the passage that is the most familiar to me, and therefore, the easiest to open my paper with. I believe it would be true to say that many religions (including and other than Christians) know of and respect the saying “an eye for an eye.” In fact, I, myself, did not know that that this well-known saying in fact came from Matthew 5:38-42. When reading this passage, I was surprised to find that all of the concepts in this passage are shared by people of all religions. These concepts would include the idea of compassion, selflessness, and service to others. I believe the key idea in this teaching is the importance of composure and harmony with others. Furthermore, my favorite verse in this passage is verse 41, which states: “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” This verse emphasizes the importance of laying down one’s own desires, and catering to another individual’s needs and desires. Also, in verse 42, Jesus highlights the significance of borrowing and sharing (“give to the one who asks you”) In addition, this verse, along with many other verses in the bible, provides biblical proof of the importance of community service. Finally, I believe that it can potentially be very difficult to understand and apply this principle to everyday life.

In verse 24, Jesus says: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Jesus emphasizes the significance of having a firm and steady foundation in Him through the illustration of building a house on a rock, opposed to the sand. Jesus then goes on to warn His followers of what will happen to all foolish men who build their houses upon the sand. In verse 27, Jesus says: “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great