What does it mean that the rain falls on the just and the unjust?

Answer

In Matthew 5:45, as part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus discusses God the Father: “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust” (ESV). Understanding this passage requires considering the context. Preceding verse 45, Jesus addresses a common belief and then issues a counter-cultural directive: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (verses 43–44). Subsequently, in the first part of verse 45, Jesus explains the reasoning behind the directive: “So that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

It is important not to misinterpret Jesus’ statement as implying that loving one’s enemies leads to becoming a child of God. Membership in God’s family is not earned through such actions or any other good deeds. Being a “child” of someone (literally, in Greek, a “son”) did not necessarily indicate literal family membership; rather, a “son” was someone who emulated another person or entity. For example, James and John were dubbed “sons of thunder” «and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: », (Mark 3:17) likely due to their potentially fiery tempers; they possessed “thunderous personalities” or perhaps “thunderous tempers.” The Contemporary English Version clarifies the meaning of Matthew 5:45: “Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven.” By reflecting certain attributes of God, a person is recognized as a child of God.

So, how does God demonstrate love for His enemies? There are various ways, but in Matthew 5:45, Jesus provides two practical illustrations. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.”

“… on the righteous and the unrighteous.” In that agrarian society, good weather was crucial. There are righteous farmers (considered God’s friends) and unrighteous farmers (seen as God’s enemies). Regardless of a farmer’s attitude toward God, He provides sunshine and rain equally to all farmers. When God blesses an evil farmer with good sunshine and rain, it demonstrates His love for His enemies. God treats the evil and the righteous equally in this case—He bestows good gifts on both.

There will be a future judgment, but until then, God kindly bestows good things even on those who despise Him. He grants the gift of rain to both the just and the unjust. Wicked individuals, who ridicule Him or even deny His existence, still benefit from pleasant weather, good food, family love, and many other blessings. Because God is so generous to His enemies, we should follow His example.