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What is the meaning of rain in Matthew 5:45?

Submitted: 8/14/2010
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Question: In Matthew 5:45 it reads '...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.' I understand that scripture to mean good and bad happens to all, even to the child of God. Is the rain just life issues? Someone told me the rain is a good thing. Is that correct?

Answer: Rain can water crops and it can destroy a house with a flood. Rain can therefore be either good or bad. So we can view this verse as a metaphor and say that both good things and bad things happen to everyone--that's just the way life is. And we have no particular problem with that interpretation. But we are actually inclined to think that Jesus was only refering to plain old rain; you know, the little drops of water that fall from the sky. The context seems to be suggesting that Jesus was simply making the point that God is good toward everyone, even those who are not interested in serving Him.