the appearance of a lack of deeds.51 The “righteous” had become the honorific title of those who avoided “sin.” By Jesus’ day, Pharisaical legalism had in truth become “illegal” (from the divine standpoint). The righteousness of the kingdom of God, by contrast, relates to character (cf. 5:3–12) and finds expression in social morality performed from the heart. On this count, scribal Judaism as portrayed by Matthew is found wanting. While Jesus is not saying that entering the kingdom of heaven is based