Theophylact of Bulgaria used the image of an artist colouring in an outline, and St. Thomas Aquinas saw it as how a tree still contains the seed.
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Albright and Mann note that Cicero described Rome as light to the world, but that it is unlikely that this verse borrows from him.
Malachi 2:16 has God disapproving of divorce, but Deuteronomy 24:1–4 makes clear that it is acceptable under certain circumstances (see Christian views on divorce).
Thomas Aquinas wrote that this verse implies that it is reasonable to follow laws that are unjust, but argued that laws that are unconscionable must not be obeyed.
In Jesus' time neighbour was interpreted to mean fellow Israelites, and to exclude all others.