He, typically, would use this formulation to correct some point of misinterpretation (or shallow interpretation) ... of God's word to men.
Misinterpretation? Jesus is setting the bar higher with His RE-interpretation of the Torah. He is going beyond the letter of the Law, which was all that was required previously. Those in the Spirit have a higher standard.
Regards
Jesus did use the formulation you speak of quite often ... "you have heard, ... but I say unto you ..."
He, typically, would use this formulation to correct some point of misinterpretation (or shallow interpretation) ... of God's word to men.
Misinterpretation? Jesus is setting the bar higher with His RE-interpretation of the Torah. He is going beyond the letter of the Law, which was all that was required previously. Those in the Spirit have a higher standard.
Jesus did use this formulation to "set the bar higher" in some cases.
But in other cases, it is clear that the Jews had mis-interpereted, as in the following ...Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.Blessings ...
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?