Matthew 5:45
New International Version
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

New Living Translation
In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

English Standard Version
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Berean Standard Bible
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Berean Literal Bible
so that you may be sons of your Father in the heavens. For He makes His sun rise on evil and good, and He sends rain on righteous and unrighteous.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

New American Standard Bible
so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

NASB 1995
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

NASB 1977
in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Legacy Standard Bible
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Amplified Bible
so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].

Christian Standard Bible
so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

American Standard Version
that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.

Contemporary English Version
Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil. He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust.

Good News Translation
so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil.

International Standard Version
so that you will become children of your Father in heaven, because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he lets rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Majority Standard Bible
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

NET Bible
so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

New Heart English Bible
that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

Webster's Bible Translation
That ye may be the children of your Father who 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.

Weymouth New Testament
that so you may become true sons of your Father in Heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the wicked as well as the good, and sends rain upon those who do right and those who do wrong.

World English Bible
that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
that you may be sons of your Father in the heavens, because He causes His sun to rise on evil and good, and He sends rain on righteous and unrighteous.

Berean Literal Bible
so that you may be sons of your Father in the heavens. For He makes His sun rise on evil and good, and He sends rain on righteous and unrighteous.

Young's Literal Translation
that ye may be sons of your Father in the heavens, because His sun He doth cause to rise on evil and good, and He doth send rain on righteous and unrighteous.

Smith's Literal Translation
So that ye might be sons of your Father, which in the heavens: for he makes his sun rise upon evil and good, and rains on the just and unjust.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust.

New American Bible
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

New Revised Standard Version
so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So that you may become sons of your Father who is in heaven, who causes his sun to shine upon the good and upon the bad, and who pours down his rain upon the just and upon the unjust.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
So that you will become the children of your Father who is in Heaven, for his sun rises on the good and upon the evil and his rain descends on the just and on the unjust.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
that you may be the sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun to rise upon the evil and the good, and causes it to rain on the just and on the unjust.

Godbey New Testament
in order that you may be the sons of your Father who is in the heavens: because He raises up His sun on the wicked and on the good, and rains on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

Haweis New Testament
that ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven: for he causeth his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and tendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Mace New Testament
that ye may be the children of your father who is in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Weymouth New Testament
that so you may become true sons of your Father in Heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the wicked as well as the good, and sends rain upon those who do right and those who do wrong.

Worrell New Testament
that ye may be sons of your Father Who is in Heaven; because He causeth His sun to rise on evil men and on good, and sendeth rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

Worsley New Testament
that ye may be the children of your heavenly Father; for He causeth his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain upon the just and the unjust.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Love Your Enemies
44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?…

Cross References
Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

Romans 12:20-21
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Ephesians 5:1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,

1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

1 John 3:10
By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” / So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made.

Job 25:3
Can His troops be numbered? On whom does His light not rise?


Treasury of Scripture

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

ye.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Luke 6:35
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

for.

Job 25:3
Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise?

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Acts 14:17
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

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Matthew 5
1. Jesus' sermon on the mount:
3. The Beattitudes;
13. the salt of the earth;
14. the light of the world.
17. He came to fulfill the law.
21. What it is to kill;
27. to commit adultery;
33. to swear.
38. He exhorts to forgive wrong,
43. to love our enemies;
48. and to labor after perfection.














that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
This phrase emphasizes the call to emulate God's character, reflecting His love and mercy. In biblical context, being a "son" implies sharing in the nature and character of the Father. This aligns with the Jewish understanding of sonship, where sons were expected to carry on the family traits and values. The concept of God as "Father" is central to Jesus' teachings, highlighting a personal and relational aspect of God, contrasting with the more distant view of God in some Old Testament contexts. This phrase also connects to other scriptures, such as John 1:12, which speaks of believers being given the right to become children of God, and Romans 8:14, which describes those led by the Spirit as sons of God.

He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good,
This part of the verse illustrates God's impartiality and common grace. The sun rising is a daily occurrence that benefits all people, regardless of their moral standing. In the historical and cultural context of the time, the sun was essential for agriculture, health, and daily life, making it a powerful symbol of God's provision. This reflects the idea that God's blessings are not limited to the righteous but are extended to all humanity, demonstrating His love and mercy. This concept is echoed in Acts 14:17, where Paul speaks of God providing rain and fruitful seasons as a witness to His goodness.

and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Rain, like the sun, was crucial for survival in the agrarian society of ancient Israel. It symbolizes God's provision and sustenance. The geographical context of Israel, with its reliance on seasonal rains for crops, underscores the importance of this blessing. By sending rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous, God shows His fairness and generosity. This challenges the common belief of the time that prosperity was a direct result of personal righteousness. Theologically, this reflects the idea of God's common grace, which is available to all people, as seen in passages like Psalm 145:9, which declares that the Lord is good to all and has compassion on all He has made.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of the Sermon on the Mount, where this verse is located. He is teaching His disciples and the gathered crowd about the nature of God's kingdom and righteousness.

2. Father in Heaven
Refers to God, emphasizing His role as a loving and impartial provider to all humanity, regardless of their moral standing.

3. The Evil and the Good
Represents all of humanity, highlighting the inclusivity of God's providence and grace.

4. The Righteous and the Unrighteous
A distinction between those who follow God's ways and those who do not, yet both receive God's common grace.

5. The Sermon on the Mount
The setting of this teaching, a collection of Jesus' teachings found in Matthew chapters 5-7, focusing on the ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Teaching Points
Impartial Love
As believers, we are called to emulate God's impartial love, showing kindness to both friends and enemies, just as God provides for both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Common Grace
Recognize and be thankful for God's common grace, which is evident in the natural blessings we receive daily, such as sunlight and rain.

Reflecting God's Character
Strive to reflect God's character in our interactions with others, demonstrating love and mercy without discrimination.

Spiritual Growth
Understand that being "sons of your Father in heaven" involves growing in spiritual maturity and embodying the values of God's kingdom.

Witness Through Actions
Our actions should serve as a witness to God's love and grace, drawing others to Him through our example of living out His teachings.(45) That ye may be.--Literally, and with far fuller meaning, that ye may become. We cannot become like God in power or wisdom. The attempt at that likeness to the Godhead was the cause of man's fall, and leads evermore to a like issue; but we cannot err in striving to be like Him in His love. (Comp. St. Paul's "followers [or, more literally, imitators"] of God" in Ephesians 5:1.) And the love which we are to reproduce is not primarily that of which the children of the kingdom are the direct objects, showing itself in pardon, and adoption, and spiritual blessings, but the beneficence which is seen in Nature. Our Lord assumes that sunshine, and rain, and fruitful seasons are His Father's gifts, and proofs (whatever may be urged to the contrary) of His loving purpose. Here, again, the teaching of the higher Stoics presents an almost verbal parallel: "If thou wouldst imitate the gods, do good even to the unthankful, for the sun rises even on the wicked, and the seas are open to pirates" (Seneca, De Benefic. iv. 2, 6).

Verse 45. - Parallel passage: Luke 6:35, which is more full, but hardly so original in form. That ye may be the children (ὅπως γένησθε υἱοί); sons (Revised Version); cf. ver. 9, note. The meaning of the clause is not certain. It may be:

(1) Love to enemies is the means whereby you may become possessed of the full privileges involved in the nature of sons. These privileges are more than the mere participation in Messianic glory (Meyer), and are rather all the blessings present and future which belong to sonship.

(2) Love, in order that on each occasion you may become in fact (almost our "show yourselves") sons of your Father, sons corresponding in ethical conduct to your position already received. Your Father. Not "the Father" (cf. ver. 16, note). Which is in heaven: for ὅτι The privileges generally, or the resemblance on each occasion, can only be obtained by behaviour similar to his, namely, kind treatment of those who injure you; for this is what he himself shows. He maketh his sun to rise (ἀνατέλλει). If we may lay stress on the Greek, our Lord expresses the popular notion of the sun ascending. It must, however, be remembered that the word he himself probably used was זרח in hiph. (, Peshito), which contains no thought of motion, but rather of appearance. Sun... rain. The two great sources of maintenance. On the evil and on the good... on the just and on the unjust. The first pair connotes, as it seems, the extreme of evil (Matthew 6:13, note) and good, in each case manifesting itself according to its opportunities; the second, the life and character as tried by the standard, especially the human standard, of just dealing. Notice how, by chiasm, the emphasis is laid on the ungodly alike at the beginning and at the end. Our Lord here brings out God's active love as seen in nature, nourishing and maintaining men, irrespective of the qualities of individuals and of their treatment of him and his laws. The thought is found elsewhere, e.g. in Seneca (vide Meyer), "Si deos imitaris, da et ingratis benelicia; ham et sceleratis sol oritur, et piratis patent maria" (cf. Bishop Lightfoot, on 'Philippians' ["St. Paul and Seneca," p. 281], for a collection of parallels to the sermon on the mount).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
that
ὅπως (hopōs)
Conjunction
Strong's 3704: From hos and pos; what(-ever) how, i.e. In the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual).

you may be
γένησθε (genēsthe)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

sons
υἱοὶ (huioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Father
Πατρὸς (Patros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

heaven.
οὐρανοῖς (ouranois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

He causes
ἀνατέλλει (anatellei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 393: To make to rise, I rise, shine (generally of the sun, and hence met.). From ana and the base of telos; to arise.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

sun {to rise}
ἥλιον (hēlion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2246: The sun, sunlight. From hele; the sun; by implication, light.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

[the] evil
πονηροὺς (ponērous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the] good,
ἀγαθοὺς (agathous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

sends rain
βρέχει (brechei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1026: To moisten, rain, send rain. A primary verb; to moisten.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

[the] righteous
δικαίους (dikaious)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1342: From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the] unrighteous.
ἀδίκους (adikous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 94: Unjust, unrighteous, wicked. Specially, heathen.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 5:45 That you may be children of your (Matt. Mat Mt)
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