NOTES for Mat 5:20
The verse begins with the word “for”, i.e. it is a continuation of previous verses. Jesus says that he came to execute law and not to transgress it. But it turns out further (V 19) that the executor of commandments and the transgressor will both find themselves in the Kingdom of Heaven, however in different status. The 20 verse looks rather strange in this context. It appears that the righteousness of strict zealous of law is entirely not enough to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Oh, come now! If from the verse 19 we found that the transgressor – even the slightest will enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus never blamed the Pharisees and scribes for their strict observance of the law when rebuking them. He pointed out that law was executed on letter and not by the spirit of law. Formality superseded love to people, so and to God, since one without other is impossible.
The Kingdom of Heaven is the Kingdom of the loving God, the Kingdom of love. We know it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb 11:6), but if love is greater than faith (1 Cor 13:13), then can we please God without love?