What Does It Mean: “Your Righteousness Shall Exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees?” (Matthew 5:20)
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“For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20 KJV)
In this verse, Jesus contrasts two types of righteousness: the righteousness of the Pharisees and scribes, and the “exceeding righteousness” necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven. These two types of righteousness differ in two main aspects: audience and motivation.
#1 The Audience: Who Are We Performing For?
The Audience of the Righteousness of The Pharisees:
The righteousness of the Pharisees can be described as hypocritical. The Greek word for “hypocrite” originally referred to an actor. These religious leaders acted piously, but their hearts were far from God (Isaiah 29:13, quoted by Jesus in Matthew 15:8). They prioritized their reputation over a genuine relationship with God. In Matthew 6 Jesus exposed their hypocrisy by contrasting their approach to these three righteous deeds – giving, praying, and fasting – with the deeper righteousness He desires.
Giving
The Pharisees performed acts of charity in a manner designed to attract attention and praise from others (Matthew 6:2). They made a public spectacle of their giving, turning it into a performance rather than a humble act of love and obedience. Their reward was limited to the applause and admiration of people. Instead, Jesus instructs His followers to give discreetly, without drawing attention to themselves (Matthew 6:3). True righteousness in giving is about pleasing God and meeting the needs of others without seeking recognition.
Praying
The Pharisees’ prayers were lengthy, elaborate, and strategically performed in public places where they could be seen and admired (Matthew 6:5). Their prayers were not about communion with God but about showcasing their piety. Jesus calls for private, sincere prayer that seeks God’s presence rather than human approval (Matthew 6:6). This type of prayer reflects humility and a heart that genuinely desires fellowship with God.
Fasting
The Pharisees turned fasting into another opportunity for public display. They would disfigure their faces and make their discomfort visible so others would notice their sacrifice (Matthew 6:16). This approach reduced fasting to a superficial ritual aimed at gaining admiration. Fasting should be an act of private devotion to God, done in a way that does not draw attention to oneself (Matthew 6:17). This ensures that fasting remains a sincere act of worship, intended to draw closer to God rather than to impress others.
The Audience of Exceeding Righteousness:
God as the Audience
Exceeding righteousness shifts the focus from external approval to internal transformation. It seeks to please the righteous Judge, not the crowd (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul echoes this in Galatians 1:10: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Jesus Himself modeled this when He said, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29). True righteousness is not for display but for God’s glory.
Flows from a Pure Heart
The righteousness of the Pharisees was a show, a performance-crafted to win the applause of men rather than the approval of God. Jesus, however, calls for a deeper righteousness—one that is genuine, inward, and wholly devoted to God. True righteousness is found in giving discreetly, not for recognition, but out of love and obedience to God. It is expressed in private prayer, a heartfelt communion with the Father that seeks His presence rather than public admiration. It shines through fasting done with joy and discretion, not to draw attention, but to renew the spirit and draw closer to God. This “exceeding righteousness” flows from a heart fully aligned with God’s will, seeking His glory above all else, and disregarding the fleeting approval of the world.
Its Reward is Eternal
This “exceeding righteousness” holds an eternal reward, unlike the fleeting applause of men. Jesus warns repeatedly about those who seek public recognition for their deeds, saying, “Verily I say unto you, they have their reward” (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16). The Pharisees pursued the praise of people and, in doing so, forfeited the greater, eternal reward that comes from God. Their reward was temporary and superficial, leaving them with no lasting treasure in heaven. True righteousness, however, seeks only to please God, and its reward is everlasting—a treasure stored in the eternal presence of the Father (Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12).
#2 The Motivation: Whose Will Are We Following?
The Motivation of the Righteousness of the Pharisees:
The Pharisees were driven by a motivation to uphold tradition and protect their social status. While they were outwardly zealous in adhering to the law, they often missed the spirit behind it. Their actions, though impressive to onlookers, lacked the depth of true submission to God’s will. In Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus did not condemn their works outright but leveled two profound charges against them: first, “I never knew you,” and second, “Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
“I Never Knew You”
When Jesus said, “I never knew you,” He was not referring to mere acquaintance but to a deep, intimate relationship akin to the intimacy between a husband and wife. The lack of such intimacy meant that their works, the supposed “children” of their spiritual relationship, were foreign to Him. These works were not born out of communion with Christ but were self-generated, and disconnected from divine purpose.
This absence of relationship is vividly illustrated in Acts 19:13-16, where the sons of Sceva attempted to perform works in Jesus’ name without true submission to Him. Their lack of spiritual identity and authority led to their downfall as they were overpowered by the evil spirit they sought to cast out. They were spiritual vagabonds—wandering without recognition or authority in the kingdom of God.
To avoid this fate, believers must ensure that their works are aligned with God’s will and birthed out of intimacy with Him. True spiritual productivity comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to impregnate our hearts with divine purpose, resulting in works that bear God’s unmistakable mark and reflect His will.
Workers of Iniquity
The second charge Jesus brought against the Pharisees was that they were “workers of iniquity.” The Greek word for “iniquity” here is anomia, meaning “lawlessness,” “unauthorized,” or “illegality.” Their actions, though seemingly righteous, were unauthorized because they operated outside of God’s direction.
An example of unauthorized service is found in Leviticus 10:1, where Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered “strange fire” before the Lord—an offering He had not commanded. Their act of disobedience cost them their lives. Similarly, the Pharisees, though religiously active, produced works that were like strange fire—unauthorized and unacceptable to God.
This serves as a sobering reminder for believers to align their actions with God’s commands. The gifts of the Spirit and the anointing must be used for the purposes God has ordained, not for self-glorification or personal agendas. Works that lack God’s authorization are ultimately rejected, no matter how impressive they appear to others.
The Motivation of Exceeding Righteousness:
Unlike the superficial righteousness of the Pharisees and scribes, exceeding righteousness is not a mere outward performance but a profound inner transformation marked by intimacy with God, obedience to His will, submission to His authority, and the bearing of authentic spiritual fruit.
Intimacy with God
Exceeding righteousness begins with a deep, personal relationship with God. Jesus emphasized this when He said, “I never knew you” to those who performed religious acts without genuine connection (Matthew 7:23). The “knowing” Jesus refers to is akin to the intimate knowledge shared in a marital relationship—a bond that produces spiritual fruit aligned with God’s purposes. Without this intimacy, even the most impressive deeds are unauthorized in God’s sight, much like the “strange fire” offered by Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2. True righteousness flows from a heart deeply united with God, where actions are birthed from spiritual communion and alignment with His will.
Obedience to God’s Will
Exceeding righteousness requires total surrender to God’s will. Jesus explained this in John 3:8, comparing the Spirit-led life to the wind—unpredictable but wholly directed by God. It is not enough to proclaim Jesus as Lord; one must live in obedience to His authority. As Paul writes, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). This obedience involves setting aside personal agendas and submitting to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, even when it is inconvenient or challenging. It is a life devoted to fulfilling God’s purposes, not one’s own desires.
Submitting to God’s Government
Entering the kingdom of heaven means submitting fully to God’s rule. This goes beyond verbal acknowledgment, requiring a lifestyle that reflects God’s authority in every area. Jesus taught in John 3 that spiritual birth involves two stages: perceiving the kingdom through spiritual rebirth and entering it through submission to the Spirit’s leading. Paul echoes this in Galatians 3:13-14, explaining that salvation encompasses both legal redemption—where Christ paid the price for sin—and living transformation, where the Holy Spirit conforms believers to Christ’s image. Refusing this second stage of salvation by rejecting the Spirit’s governance results in works that are unauthorized and ultimately rejected by God.
Producing Authentic Fruit
Exceeding righteousness is evidenced by the fruit it produces. Jesus taught that “a tree is known by its fruit” (Matthew 7:16-20). Just as a healthy tree yields good fruit, a life rooted in Christ bears spiritual fruit that reflects His character. In John 15:5, Jesus declares, “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” This fruit is not manufactured through human effort but emerges naturally from abiding in Christ. Anything less—fruit produced outside of this relationship—is counterfeit and unacceptable to God.
Living by Faith
Finally, exceeding righteousness is founded on faith, not human effort. Paul contrasts the Pharisees’ pursuit of righteousness through the law with the righteousness that comes from faith in Christ. “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ” (Philippians 3:9). Jesus fulfilled the law’s requirements, making righteousness accessible to all who believe in Him (Romans 10:4). This righteousness is not self-attained but received by those who hunger and thirst for it, as Jesus promised: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
Conclusion: What It Means to Exceed the Scribes and Pharisees’ Righteousness
The righteousness of the Pharisees and scribes was external and performance-driven, focused on appearing pious before others. It was a righteousness of legalism, rules, and rituals. On the other hand, exceeding righteousness is inward, transformative, and aimed at pleasing God. It goes beyond outward actions to address the heart’s condition.
The Righteousness Of The Pharisees
The righteousness of the Pharisees was superficial and self-serving, rooted in tradition and the pursuit of human approval. Jesus’ rebuke reveals the futility of works that are disconnected from true intimacy with God and misaligned with His will. To avoid being spiritual vagabonds or workers of iniquity, believers must seek a deep, authentic relationship with Christ and ensure their actions are birthed from His purposes. Only then can our works bear the eternal mark of divine approval.
Exceeding Righteousness
Exceeding righteousness is a life fully surrendered to God, marked by intimacy, obedience, submission, and fruitfulness. It is not a performance for human applause but a heartfelt devotion to God’s glory. Rooted in faith, this righteousness reflects the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, drawing believers into deeper conformity with Christ. As we pursue this righteousness, we align ourselves with God’s eternal purposes, producing works that bear His unmistakable mark and bring glory to His name.
The Call To Exceeding Righteousness
The call to exceeding righteousness is a call to intimacy, obedience, and authenticity. It goes beyond appearances and aligns our lives with God’s will. This righteousness is not self-generated but flows from a relationship with Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. As we pursue exceeding righteousness, may we echo Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.” Let our righteousness not be like the Pharisees’—a performance for men—but a heartfelt devotion to God that leads us into His kingdom.
Prayer
Lord God, let Your hand rest upon me and ignite a deep yearning in my heart to obey Your will. Help me to move beyond the outward show of hypocrisy and become the kind of person who makes You my first and only audience. May my actions not be crafted for the approval of men, but solely for Your pleasure and glory. Exalt Yourself, O great King of Zion, and grace me with a heart that seeks You with all my heart, soul, and might. Let my works be pleasing in Your sight, and may they reflect a life devoted entirely to You. Amen.
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