---
title: Matthew 5:47
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/matthew-5-47/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/matthew-5-47.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Matthew 5:47
testament: NT
section: Gospels
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Matthew 5:47

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (2013 revision): "And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing?"

## JW Usage

Matthew 5:47 — like v. 46 — receives little JW engagement. The challenge that "if you greet your brothers only" is no more than what pagans do is rarely allowed to test the Watchtower's practice of separation from non-Witnesses. "People of the nations" (the NWT's preferred rendering of ethnikoi) is treated as describing pagan outsiders contrasted with Jehovah's people, not as a mirror reflecting JW practice back at the JW.

## Protestant Usage

Read Matthew 5:46-47 as a single unit. The "tax collector test" and the "people-of-the-nations test" both ask the same question: what does your love do that other people's love does not? Loving only your own group, greeting only your own brothers — these are the ordinary patterns of human community found everywhere. Jesus calls disciples to a love that exceeds those patterns. Pair Matthew 5:47 with the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and Galatians 6:10 ("toward all first"). The Watchtower's shunning practice — disfellowshipped family members not greeted, not spoken to, not invited home — fits the inverse of Jesus's standard. Even the tax collector greeted his brothers. Witnesses are required to refuse to greet theirs.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [James Defines Pure Religion — and It Isn't Preaching](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/james127-pure-religion.md) — James 1:27 / Matthew 5:46-47 / Galatians 6:10 [Practice]