“and hate your enemy.” We can see why the religious leaders would teach that. It does seem to be the message of the Old Testament. Yahweh hates the wicked person (Ps. 11:5). He hates prideful people, liars, murderers, wicked people, and those who do evil, false witnesses, and divisive people (Prov. 6:16-19). Jesus’ message was thus very new and very different. He indeed brought “a new commandment” to the people.