Matthew 5:19

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

So whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others will be called 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

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard 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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Whosoever{G3739} therefore{G3767} shall{G1437} break{G3089} one{G1520} of these{G5130} least{G1646} commandments,{G1785} and{G2532} shall teach{G1321} men{G444} so,{G3779} shall be called{G2564} least{G1646} in{G1722} the kingdom{G932} of heaven:{G3772} but{G1161} whosoever{G3739} shall{G302} do{G4160} and{G2532} teach{G1321} them, he{G3778} shall be called{G2564} great{G3173} in{G1722} the kingdom{G932} of heaven.{G3772}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Whosoever{G3739}{G1437} therefore{G3767} shall break{G3089}{(G5661)} one{G3391} of these{G5130} least{G1646} commandments{G1785}, and{G2532} shall teach{G1321}{(G5661)} men{G444} so{G3779}, he shall be called{G2564}{(G5701)} the least{G1646} in{G1722} the kingdom{G932} of heaven{G3772}: but{G1161} whosoever{G3739}{G302} shall do{G4160}{(G5661)} and{G2532} teach{G1321}{(G5661)} them, the same{G3778} shall be called{G2564}{(G5701)} great{G3173} in{G1722} the kingdom{G932} of heaven{G3772}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Whosoever breaketh one of these lest commaundmentes and teacheth men so he shalbe called the leest in the kyngdome of heve. But whosoever obserueth and teacheth ye same shal be called greate in the kyngdome of heven.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Whosoeuer breaketh one of these least comaundmentes, and teacheth me so, he shalbe called the leest in the kyngdome of heauen, But whosoeuer obserueth and teacheth the same shalbe called greate in the kyngdome of heauen.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  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.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Whosoeuer therfore breaketh one of these least commaundementes, and teacheth men so, he shalbe called the leaste in the kyngdome of heauen. But who so euer doeth, and teacheth (so) the same shalbe called great in the kyngdome of heauen.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ‹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.›

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Whoever, therefore, 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.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  `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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• 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.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Whoever, therefore, 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.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Referenced Verses

• Matt 11:11 : 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
• Matt 28:20 : 20 'teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'
• Jas 2:10-11 : 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all. 11 For He who said, 'You shall not commit adultery,' also said, 'You shall not murder.' Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
• 1 Tim 4:11-12 : 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
• Gal 5:14-24 : 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 16 I say then, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
• Rom 13:8-9 : 8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'You shall not covet,' and any other commandment, are summed up in this statement: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.
• Titus 3:8 : 8 This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for all people.
• Gal 3:10-13 : 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.' 11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, 'The righteous will live by faith.' 12 The law is not based on faith; instead, it says, 'The person who does these things will live by them.' 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'
• 1 Tim 6:3-4 : 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and arguments about words, which result in envy, strife, slander, and evil suspicions.
• 1 Tim 6:11 : 11 But you, man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
• Titus 2:8-9 : 8 Let your speech be sound and beyond reproach, so that any opponent may be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us. 9 Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, aiming to be well-pleasing and not argumentative. 10 They must not pilfer but must demonstrate complete faithfulness, so that they may make the teaching of God our Savior attractive in every way.
• Rom 6:1 : 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?
• Rom 6:15 : 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Certainly not!
• Ps 119:6 : 6 Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.
• Ps 119:128 : 128 Therefore, I consider all Your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.
• Dan 12:3 : 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
• Mal 2:8-9 : 8 But you have turned aside from the way, and by your teaching have caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant with Levi, says the Lord of Hosts. 9 So I have also made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.
• Matt 15:3-6 : 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares to their father or mother, ‘What you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to honor their father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
• Matt 19:28 : 28 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.
• Matt 20:26 : 26 'It shall not be so among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.'
• Matt 23:16-23 : 16 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 obligated.' 17 You fools and blind! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 And you say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is obligated.' 19 You fools and blind! Which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore, whoever swears by the altar swears by it and everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by the One who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it. 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint, dill, and cumin but have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These you ought to have done without neglecting the others.
• Deut 27:26 : 26 Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out. Then all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
• 1 Sam 2:30 : 30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: I certainly said that your house and your father’s house would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
• Luke 1:15 : 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
• Luke 9:48 : 48 Then he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the least among you who is the greatest.'
• Luke 11:42 : 42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you give a tenth of mint, rue, and every herb, but you neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done without neglecting the others.
• Luke 22:24-26 : 24 Then a dispute arose among them about who was considered to be the greatest. 25 But he said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.' 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.
• Acts 1:1 : 1 In my first account, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.
• Rom 3:8 : 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim we say—"Let us do evil so that good may result"? Their condemnation is just.
• Phil 3:17-18 : 17 Join together in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and keep your eyes on those who live as we do, as they are an example for you. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ, as I have often told you, and now I tell you again with tears.
• Phil 4:8-9 : 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise—think about these things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
• 1 Thess 2:10-12 : 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves among you who believe. 11 Just as you know how we dealt with each one of you like a father with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
• 1 Thess 4:1-7 : 1 Finally, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, just as you received instructions from us on how you ought to live and please God, that you would excel even more. 2 For you know the commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is God’s will: your sanctification—that you abstain from sexual immorality. 4 That each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God. 6 And that no one transgresses or defrauds their brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger of all these things, as we have forewarned and solemnly testified to you. 7 For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness.
• 1 Pet 5:4 : 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
• Rev 2:14-15 : 14 But I have a few things against you: You have those there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites—to eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.
• Rev 2:20 : 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching, she misleads my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.