Matthew 5:45 (KJV)

What does Matthew 5:45 mean?

Matthew 5:45 says that God treats everyone—both those who do right and those who do wrong—with the same basic kindness, like giving sunlight and rain to all people. Jesus is teaching that showing love to everyone, not just to those who treat us well, reflects the character of God.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, explaining what it means to live as God’s children. He points out that God, described here as "your Father which is in heaven," gives good things like sun and rain to both the "evil" and the "good," the "just" and the "unjust." This sets an example for people to act with the same generous spirit, regardless of how others behave.

The Greek behind Matthew 5:45

• "children" (υἱοί, huioi): This word means "sons" or "children," and in this context, it often carries the sense of being true representatives or imitators of God’s character, not just literal offspring.
• "evil" (πονηροῖς, ponērois) and "good" (ἀγαθοῖς, agathois): These words make a clear distinction between moral character, emphasizing that God’s kindness is not limited by human standards of worthiness.
• "just" (δικαίους, dikaious) and "unjust" (ἀδίκους, adikous): These terms refer to those who are righteous and those who are not, underlining that God’s care is impartial and not based on a person’s moral standing.

Why Matthew 5:45 matters

• Matthew 5:45 clears up the idea that God only blesses those who are good; instead, it shows that God’s basic kindness is given to everyone, regardless of their actions.
• This verse highlights the call for followers of Jesus to imitate God’s generous and impartial love, which is a central theme in the Sermon on the Mount.
• Understanding this verse helps explain why Jesus asks his followers to love their enemies in the surrounding verses, rooting that command in the example set by God himself.