Jesus makes several statements, that are clearly not meant literally, but intriguingly. For example, when you call someone a good-for-nothing, you must appear before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 5:22). In everyday life, this does not happen of course. With a minor offensive word you are not brought before the highest court of the land. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away (Matthew 5:29). That would be a form of self-mutilation, which was forbidden by law. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away (Matthew 5:30). Another form of maiming yourself. Matthew 5:34 says: But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all. This also is not meant literally; Jesus himself swore an oath (Matthew 26:64).

With these examples, Jesus wants to make clear that the purpose of the law is not: appearing to live by the rules is sufficient. God’s intent goes a lot further. The evil sits much deeper; sin is far more serious. Jesus makes clear that you cannot be saved by obeying the commandments of the law. For God is not only Lord over the deeds of man, but over the entire man—including his heart, his inner being. Jesus makes clear that fulfillment of the law in the deepest intention is impossible. The way of the law is therefore not the way of salvation.