What does Matthew 5:48 say?

ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father who is in the heavens is perfect.

What translation is this?

This passage is displayed in the Young's Literal Translation (YLT) translation on Scripture Lens.

What are related verses?

Related passages to Matthew 5:48 include Deuteronomy 7:9, Malachi 3:6, Matthew 5:47, Matthew 4, and Matthew 6.

Matthew 5:48 (YLT)

Passage

ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father who <FI>is<Fi> in the heavens is perfect.

Nearby Context

Matthew 5:46 `For, if ye may love those loving you, what reward have ye? do not also the tax-gatherers the same?

Matthew 5:47 and if ye may salute your brethren only, what do ye abundant? do not also the tax-gatherers so?

Matthew 5:48 ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father who <FI>is<Fi> in the heavens is perfect.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "shall", "therefore", "perfect", "father", and "heavens". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "shall" and "therefore", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "and if ye may salute your brethren...", giving immediate footing for "shall" and "therefore". In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "shall" and "therefore" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.