Matthew 5:48

Modern

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Traditional

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Literal

You shall be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Latin

Estote ergo vos perfecti, sicut et Pater vester cælestis perfectus est.

Greek

English

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

This verse connects 5:20–48 as a single unit (see study note on Matthew 4:23–25).

be perfect: The word “perfect” means maturity, wholeness, and full devotion to God. It describes a complete response to the message of Jesus about the kingdom (19:21; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:15; Colossians 1:28; 4:12; 1 John 4:18). True perfection has love at its center (see Luke 6:36).

Theme notes and profiles

1 Peter 1:15–16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,
James 1:4
Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
Ephesians 5:1–2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,
Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Deuteronomy 18:13
You must be blameless before the LORD your God.
1 John 3:3
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.
Colossians 1:28
We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Luke 6:40
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Leviticus 11:44
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground.
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.