Are the least included in the kingdom of heaven?: the meaning of Matthew 5: 19

Abstract

According to the normative interpretation of Matthew 5:19, this logion specifies that a strict hierarchy will exist in the consummated kingdom of God based upon observance of the Jewish law. The highest place in the kingdom is reserved for those Christians who uphold the law, while those who break or relax the law will find themselves at a lower level. Matthew 5:19 therefore makes the important point that even law-free or Pauline Christians would not be rejected from the kingdom. This study challenges this interpretation of Matthew 5:19 by arguing that it is appropriate neither for the Christian Jews who created it nor for the evangelist. Both Matthew and his Christian Jewish predecessors were highly critical of Paul and his gospel, and they expected law-free Christians to face eternal punishment. In the light of this, Matthew 5:19 must be taken as a reference to the exclusion of these Christians from the kingdom.