Matthew 5:19 “So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and tea…”

Matthew 5:19

So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

World English Bible

Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

American Standard Version

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Geneva Bible 1599

Whosoeuer therefore shall breake one of these least commandements, and teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdome of heauen: but whosoeuer shall obserue and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen.

Darby Translation

Whosoever then shall do away with one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whosoever shall practise and teach [them], he shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.

Young's Literal Translation

'Whoever therefore may loose one of these commands — the least — and may teach men so, least he shall be called in the reign of the heavens, but whoever may do and may teach [them], he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens.

Bible in Basic English

Whoever then goes against the smallest of these laws, teaching men to do the same, will be named least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who keeps the laws, teaching others to keep them, will be named great in the kingdom of heaven.

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Cross references

“shall break”

Psalm 119:6 Deuteronomy 27:26 Psalm 119:128 Galatians 3:10–13 James 2:10 James 2:11

Psalm 119:6 · BSB

Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.

Deuteronomy 27:26 · BSB

‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Psalm 119:128 · BSB

Therefore I admire all Your precepts and hate every false way.

Galatians 3:10–13 · BSB

All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

James 2:10 · BSB

Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

James 2:11 · BSB

For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

“these”

Deuteronomy 12:32 Luke 11:42 Matthew 23:23

Deuteronomy 12:32 · BSB

See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.

Luke 11:42 · BSB

Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

Matthew 23:23 · BSB

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latte…

“shall teach”

Matthew 15:3–6 Revelation 2:20 Romans 6:1 Romans 6:15 Romans 3:8 Matthew 23:16–22

Matthew 15:3–6 · BSB

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

Revelation 2:20 · BSB

But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Romans 6:1 · BSB

What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?

Romans 6:15 · BSB

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!

Romans 3:8 · BSB

Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!

Matthew 23:16–22 · BSB

Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’

“the least”

Matthew 11:11 1 Samuel 2:30

Matthew 11:11 · BSB

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

1 Samuel 2:30 · BSB

Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who hono…

“do”

Matthew 28:20 Romans 13:8–10 1 Thessalonians 4:1–7 Galatians 5:14–24 Titus 3:8 1 Timothy 6:11

Matthew 28:20 · BSB

and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Romans 13:8–10 · BSB

Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

1 Thessalonians 4:1–7 · BSB

Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.

Galatians 5:14–24 · BSB

The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Titus 3:8 · BSB

This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.

1 Timothy 6:11 · BSB

But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

“great”

Daniel 12:3 Matthew 19:28 Matthew 20:26 Luke 1:15 Luke 22:24–26 1 Peter 5:4

Daniel 12:3 · BSB

Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.

Matthew 19:28 · BSB

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Matthew 20:26 · BSB

It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

Luke 1:15 · BSB

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 22:24–26 · BSB

A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest.

1 Peter 5:4 · BSB

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

18For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

20For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Read Matthew 5