Matthew 5:45

Authorized King James Version

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὅπως
G3704
That
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
#2
γένησθε
G1096
ye may be
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#3
υἱοὶ
G5207
the children
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#4
τὸν
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
πατρὸς
G3962
Father
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
#6
ὑμῶν
G5216
of your
of (from or concerning) you
#7
τὸν
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
ἐν
G1722
is in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#9
οὐρανοῖς
G3772
heaven
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
#10
ὅτι
G3754
for
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#11
τὸν
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
ἥλιον
G2246
sun
the sun; by implication, light
#13
αὐτοῦ
G846
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#14
ἀνατέλλει
G393
he maketh
to (cause to) arise
#15
ἐπὶ
G1909
on
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#16
πονηροὺς
G4190
the evil
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
#17
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#18
ἀγαθοὺς
G18
on the good
"good" (in any sense, often as noun)
#19
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#20
βρέχει
G1026
sendeth rain
to moisten (especially by a shower)
#21
ἐπὶ
G1909
on
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#22
δικαίους
G1342
the just
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
#23
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#24
ἀδίκους
G94
on the unjust
unjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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