Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scri…”

Matthew 5:20

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

World English Bible

For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

American Standard Version

For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Geneva Bible 1599

For I say vnto you, except your righteousnes exceede the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharises, ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.

Darby Translation

For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness surpass [that] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

Young's Literal Translation

'For I say to you, that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens.

Bible in Basic English

For I say to you, If your righteousness is not greater than the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never go into the kingdom of heaven.

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Cross references

“exceed”

Philippians 3:9 Romans 9:30–32 Matthew 23:2–5 Matthew 23:23–28 2 Corinthians 5:17 Luke 12:1

Philippians 3:9 · BSB

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

Romans 9:30–32 · BSB

What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;

Matthew 23:2–5 · BSB

“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.

Matthew 23:23–28 · 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…

2 Corinthians 5:17 · BSB

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

Luke 12:1 · BSB

In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

“ye”

John 3:3–5 Matthew 7:21 Hebrews 12:14 Revelation 21:27 Matthew 3:10 Matthew 18:5

John 3:3–5 · BSB

Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ”

Matthew 7:21 · BSB

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Hebrews 12:14 · BSB

Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Revelation 21:27 · BSB

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Matthew 3:10 · BSB

The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 18:5 · BSB

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.

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

In context

19So 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.

21You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

Read Matthew 5