The problem with what “Jesus actually said” is that we really don’t know. What we are presented with today is the product of multiple iterations of interpretation and manipulation. One can read many references to the “original” Greek, and many of these words themselves can be interpreted in several ways. Then there is the matter that Jesus did not speak Greek, nor do I believe did his fishermen disciples. So at best this is an oral history, based on recollection, narrated by firsthand observers to a transcriber. At best.

It seems that these commands of Jesus were really his way to modernize traditional teachings of Judaism and connect with a contemporary audience. Once he did that he could go deep with them and present them with a revolutionary perspective on God. He is not up there, he’s in here. The pathway to God is through each of us. That was (and is) a mind blower.

One of the best books on what Jesus was really about is “Wisdom Jesus” by Cynthia Bourgeault.