5:43. The first part of this verse—“You shall love your neighbour”—is to be found in Leviticus 19:18. The second part—“hate your enemy”—is not in the Law of Moses. However, Jesus’ words refer to a widespread rabbinical interpretation which understood “neighbours” as meaning “Israelites”. Our Lord corrects this misinterpretation of the Law: for him everyone is our neighbour (cf. the parable of the Good Samaritan in Lk 10:25–37). 5:43–47. This passage sums up the teaching which precedes it. Our Lord
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