Does Matthew 5:19 support the idea that some will make it into Heaven without keeping or teaching all of the Ten Commandments?
Let’s look carefully at this text:
“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19
Nowhere does it say that commandment breakers will be in God’s heavenly kingdom. Instead, it simply acknowledges the attitude of those beings in Heaven toward those on earth who break God’s commandments and teach others to do this, as well. They are considered “least” or the lowest of the low, from Heaven’s point of view.
In the book of Matthew we see a similar question posed:
“At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’” Mathew 18:1
Similar—but different. The disciples had inquired about Heaven’s thoughts on who is the greatest. If the question could be rephrased, it might be, “From Heaven’s estimation, who is considered the greatest?” Christ’s response is priceless (emphasis supplied throughout):
“Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:2–4
According to Jesus, those who humble themselves as “a little child” will be considered greatest by those in Heaven. The same principle is applied in another passage in Matthew:
“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19–20
Since the Pharisees rejected the commandments of God for their traditions (Matthew 15:6), it’s clear that the ones who break God’s commandments and teach others to do so will not enter God’s Kingdom.