For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
In this saying, Jesus clearly declares that to enter the kingdom of heaven, something more is required than the showy righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. The scribes and Pharisees were usually focused on the outward, ceremonial observances of the law, often neglecting its inner, spiritual and moral aspects. Jesus calls his followers to have a deep, sincere, and genuine righteousness that surpasses the Pharisees’ formal and outward righteousness. To enter God’s kingdom, it is necessary not only to keep the commandments, but also to live according to God’s will—with love, humility, and truth. Thus, Jesus explains that the righteousness acceptable before God is the one that comes from the heart and is expressed in moral conduct and faithfulness, rather than only in outward keeping of the law.