---
title: "Matthew 5:17-40 KJV - \"Think not that I am come to destroy th...\" | Real Bible Believers"
description: "\"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you,\" — Read Matthew 5:17-40 in the King James Version (KJV) with commentary, cross references, and Greek/Hebrew lexicon."
image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/kjv/matthew/5/17-40"
---

[ Read](/kjv/matthew/5)[ Commentary](/study/matthew/5)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/matthew/5) Audio

## Matthew 5:17-40 in Context (Verses 14–43 KJV)
 
 [14 ](/kjv/matthew/5/14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
 
 [15 ](/kjv/matthew/5/15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
 
 [16 ](/kjv/matthew/5/16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
 
 [17 ](/kjv/matthew/5/17) ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
 
 [18 ](/kjv/matthew/5/18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
 
 [19 ](/kjv/matthew/5/19) 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.
 
 [20 ](/kjv/matthew/5/20) 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.
 
 [21 ](/kjv/matthew/5/21) ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
 
 [22 ](/kjv/matthew/5/22) But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
 
 [23 ](/kjv/matthew/5/23) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
 
 [24 ](/kjv/matthew/5/24) Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
 
 [25 ](/kjv/matthew/5/25) Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
 
 [26 ](/kjv/matthew/5/26) Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
 
 [27 ](/kjv/matthew/5/27) ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
 
 [28 ](/kjv/matthew/5/28) But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
 
 [29 ](/kjv/matthew/5/29) And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast *it* from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not *that* thy whole body should be cast into hell.
 
 [30 ](/kjv/matthew/5/30) And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast *it* from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not *that* thy whole body should be cast into hell.
 
 [31 ](/kjv/matthew/5/31) It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
 
 [32 ](/kjv/matthew/5/32) But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
 
 [33 ](/kjv/matthew/5/33) ¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
 
 [34 ](/kjv/matthew/5/34) But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
 
 [35 ](/kjv/matthew/5/35) Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
 
 [36 ](/kjv/matthew/5/36) Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
 
 [37 ](/kjv/matthew/5/37) But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
 
 [38 ](/kjv/matthew/5/38) ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
 
 [39 ](/kjv/matthew/5/39) But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
 
 [40 ](/kjv/matthew/5/40) And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have *thy* cloke also.
 
 [41 ](/kjv/matthew/5/41) And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
 
 [42 ](/kjv/matthew/5/42) Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
 
 [43 ](/kjv/matthew/5/43) ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
 
[Matthew 4](/kjv/matthew/4) [Matthew 6](/kjv/matthew/6)

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