47. And if ye salute your brethren only—of the same nation and religion with yourselves.
what do ye more than others?—what do ye uncommon or extraordinary? that is, wherein do ye excel?
do not even the publicans so?—The true reading here appears to be, "Do not even the heathens the same?" Compare Mt 18:17, where the excommunicated person is said to be "as an heathen man and a publican."