Matthew 5:19

Bible in Basic English (1941)

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.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ὃς ἐὰν οὖν λύσῃ μίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων, καὶ διδάξῃ οὕτως τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, ἐλάχιστος κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν: ὃς δʼ ἂν ποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ, οὗτος μέγας κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν.

Transliteration

Who ean oun lysē one of-the entolōn these of-the elachistōn, and didaxē houtōs the anthrōpous, elachistos klēthēsetai in the basileia of-the ouranōn: who d' an poiēsē and didaxē, this one megas klēthēsetai in the basileia of-the ouranōn.

Grammar Details

• *ean*: conditional conjunction - if
• *oun*: inferential conjunction - therefore/then
• *lysē*: aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person singular - might break/loosen
• *entolōn*: genitive feminine plural - of commandments
• *elachistōn*: genitive feminine plural superlative - least/smallest
• *didaxē*: aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person singular - might teach
• *houtōs*: adverb - thus/in this manner
• *anthrōpous*: accusative masculine plural - men/people
• *elachistos*: nominative masculine singular superlative - least/smallest
• *klēthēsetai*: future passive indicative, 3rd person singular - will be called
• *basileia*: dative feminine singular - in kingdom
• *ouranōn*: genitive masculine plural - of heavens
• *d'*: postpositive conjunction (contracted) - but/and
• *an*: modal particle with subjunctive - ever/possibly
• *poiēsē*: aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person singular - might do/practice
• *megas*: nominative masculine singular - great

Word Meanings

• *lysē*: break/loosen/destroy
• *entolōn*: commandments/instructions
• *elachistōn*: least/smallest/most insignificant
• *didaxē*: teach/instruct
• *houtōs*: thus/in this manner/so
• *anthrōpous*: men/people/humans
• *klēthēsetai*: will be called/named/designated
• *basileia*: kingdom/reign/rule
• *ouranōn*: heavens/skies
• *poiēsē*: do/perform/practice
• *megas*: great/large/important

Referenced Verses

• Matt 11:11 : 11 Truly I say to you, Among the sons of women there has not been a greater than John the Baptist: but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
• Matt 28:20 : 20 Teaching them to keep all the rules which I have given you: and see, I am ever with you, even to the end of the world.
• Jas 2:10-11 : 10 For anyone who keeps all the law, but makes a slip in one point, is judged to have gone against it all. 11 For he who said, Do not be untrue in married life, is the same who said, Put no man to death. Now if you are not untrue in married life, but you put a man to death, the law is broken.
• 1 Tim 4:11-12 : 11 Let these be your orders and your teaching. 12 Let no one make little of you because you are young, but be an example to the church in word, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in holy living.
• Gal 5:14-24 : 14 For all the law is made complete in one word, even in this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. 15 But if you are given to fighting with one another, take care that you are not the cause of destruction one to another. 16 But I say, Go on in the Spirit, and you will not come under the rule of the evil desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; because these are opposite the one to the other; so that you may not do the things which you have a mind to do. 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are clear, which are these: evil desire, unclean things, wrong use of the senses, 20 Worship of images, use of strange powers, hates, fighting, desire for what another has, angry feelings, attempts to get the better of others, divisions, false teachings, 21 Envy, uncontrolled drinking and feasting, and such things: of which I give you word clearly, even as I did in the past, that they who do such things will have no part in the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, a quiet mind, kind acts, well-doing, faith, 23 Gentle behaviour, control over desires: against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have put to death on the cross the flesh with its passions and its evil desires.
• Rom 13:8-9 : 8 Be in debt for nothing, but to have love for one another: for he who has love for his neighbour has kept all the law. 9 And this, Do not be untrue in married life, Do not put to death, Do not take what is another's, Do not have desire for what is another's, and if there is any other order, it is covered by this word, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. 10 Love does no wrong to his neighbour, so love makes the law complete.
• Titus 3:8 : 8 This is a true saying; and it is my desire that you may give certain witness about these things, so that those who have had faith in God may give attention to good works. These things are good and of profit to men;
• Gal 3:10-13 : 10 For all who are of the works of the law are under a curse: because it is said in the Writings, A curse is on everyone who does not keep on doing all the things which are ordered in the book of the law. 11 Now that no man gets righteousness by the law in the eyes of God, is clear; because, The upright will be living by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith; but, He who does them will have life by them. 13 Christ has made us free from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us: because it is said in the Writings, A curse on everyone who is put to death by hanging on a tree:
• 1 Tim 6:3-4 : 3 If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion, 4 He has an over-high opinion of himself; being without knowledge, having only an unhealthy love of questionings and wars of words, from which come envy, fighting, cruel words, evil thoughts,
• 1 Tim 6:11 : 11 But you, O man of God, keep yourself from these things, and go after righteousness, religion, faith, love, a quiet mind, gentle behaviour.
• Titus 2:8-9 : 8 Saying true and right words, against which no protest may be made, so that he who is not on our side may be put to shame, unable to say any evil of us. 9 Servants are to be under the authority of their masters, pleasing them in all things, without argument; 10 Not taking what is not theirs, but giving clear signs of their good faith, in all things doing credit to the teaching of God our Saviour.
• Deut 12:32 : 32 You are to keep with care all the words I give you, making no addition to them and taking nothing from them.
• Rom 6:1 : 1 What may we say, then? are we to go on in sin so that there may be more grace?
• Rom 6:15 : 15 What then? are we to go on in sin because we are not under law but under grace? Let it not be so.
• Ps 119:6 : 6 Then I would not be put to shame, as long as I have respect for all your teaching.
• Ps 119:128 : 128 Because of it I keep straight in all things by your orders; and I am a hater of every false way.
• Dan 12:3 : 3 And those who are wise will be shining like the light of the outstretched sky; and those by whom numbers have been turned to righteousness will be like the stars for ever and ever.
• Mal 2:8-9 : 8 But you are turned out of the way; you have made the law hard for numbers of people; you have made the agreement of Levi of no value, says the Lord of armies. 9 And so I have taken away your honour and made you low before all the people, even as you have not kept my ways, and have given no thought to me in using the law.
• Matt 15:3-6 : 3 And in answer he said to them, Why do you, yourselves, go against the word of God on account of the teaching which has been handed down to you? 4 For God said, Give honour to your father and mother: and, He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death. 5 But you say, If a man says to his father or his mother, That by which you might have had profit from me is given to God; 6 There is no need for him to give honour to his father. And you have made the word of God without effect because of your teaching.
• Matt 19:28 : 28 And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you that in the time when all things are made new, and the Son of man is seated in his glory, you who have come after me will be seated on twelve seats, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
• Matt 20:26 : 26 Let it not be so among you: but if anyone has a desire to become great among you, let him be your servant;
• Matt 23:16-23 : 16 A curse is on you, blind guides, who say, Whoever takes an oath by the Temple, it is nothing; but whoever takes an oath by the gold of the Temple, he is responsible. 17 You foolish ones and blind: which is greater, the gold, or the Temple which makes the gold holy? 18 And, Whoever takes an oath by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever takes an oath by the offering which is on it, he is responsible. 19 You blind ones: which is greater, the offering, or the altar which makes the offering holy? 20 He, then, who takes an oath by the altar, takes it by the altar and by all things on it. 21 And he who takes an oath by the Temple, takes it by the Temple and by him whose house it is. 22 And he who takes an oath by heaven, takes it by the seat of God, and by him who is seated on it. 23 A curse is on you, scribes and Pharisees, false ones! for you make men give a tenth of all sorts of sweet-smelling plants, but you give no thought to the more important things of the law, righteousness, and mercy, and faith; but it is right for you to do these, and not to let the others be undone.
• Deut 27:26 : 26 Cursed is he who does not take this law to heart to do it. And let all the people say, So be it.
• 1 Sam 2:30 : 30 For this reason the Lord God of Israel has said, Truly I did say that your family and your father's people would have their place before me for ever: but now the Lord says, Let it not be so; I will give honour to those by whom I am honoured, and those who have no respect for me will be of small value in my eyes.
• Luke 1:15 : 15 For he will be great in the eyes of the Lord; he will not take wine or strong drink; and he will be full of the Spirit of God from his birth.
• Luke 9:48 : 48 And said to them, Whoever gives honour to this child in my name, gives honour to me: and whoever gives honour to me, gives honour to him who sent me: for whoever is least among you all, that man is great.
• Luke 11:42 : 42 But a curse is on you, Pharisees! for you make men give a tenth of every sort of plant, and give no thought to right and the love of God; but it is right for you to do these things, and not let the others be undone.
• Luke 22:24-26 : 24 And there was an argument among them about which of them was the greatest. 25 And he said, The kings of the Gentiles are lords over them, and those who have authority are given names of honour. 26 But let it not be so with you; but he who is greater, let him become like the younger; and he who is chief, like a servant.
• Acts 1:1 : 1 I have given an earlier account, O Theophilus, of all the things which Jesus did, and of his teaching from the first,
• Rom 3:8 : 8 Let us not do evil so that good may come (a statement which we are falsely said by some to have made), because such behaviour will have its right punishment.
• Phil 3:17-18 : 17 Brothers, take me as your example, and take note of those who are walking after the example we have given. 18 For there are those, of whom I have given you word before, and do so now with sorrow, who are haters of the cross of Christ;
• Phil 4:8-9 : 8 For the rest, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things have honour, whatever things are upright, whatever things are holy, whatever things are beautiful, whatever things are of value, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, give thought to these things. 9 The things which came to you by my teaching and preaching, and which you saw in me, these things do, and the God of peace will be with you.
• 1 Thess 2:10-12 : 10 You are witnesses, with God, how holy and upright and free from all evil was our way of life among you who have faith; 11 Even as you saw how, like a father with his children, we were teaching and comforting you all, and giving witness, 12 So that your lives might be pleasing to God, who has given you a part in his kingdom and his glory.
• 1 Thess 4:1-7 : 1 And last of all, the prayer which we make to you from our heart and in the name of the Lord Jesus, is this: that as we made clear to you what sort of behaviour is pleasing to God, as in fact you are doing now, so you will go on in these ways, but more and more. 2 Because you have in mind the orders we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For the purpose of God for you is this: that you may be holy, and may keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh; 4 So that every one of you may keep his body holy and in honour; 5 Not in the passion of evil desires, like the Gentiles, who have no knowledge of God; 6 And that no man may make attempts to get the better of his brother in business: for the Lord is the judge in all these things, as we said to you before and gave witness. 7 Because it is God's purpose that our way of life may be not unclean but holy.
• 1 Pet 5:4 : 4 And at the coming of the chief Keeper of the sheep, you will be given the eternal crown of glory.
• Rev 2:14-15 : 14 But I have some things against you, because you have with you those who keep the teaching of Balaam, by whose suggestion Balak made the children of Israel go out of the right way, taking food which was offered to false gods, and going after the desires of the flesh. 15 And you have those who keep the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
• Rev 2:20 : 20 But I have this against you, that you let the woman Jezebel say she is a prophet and give false teaching, making my servants go after the desires of the flesh and take food offered to false gods.