Matthew5

Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount by proclaiming blessings upon the poor in spirit, mourners, meek, and those who hunger for righteousness, extending to the merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and the persecuted. He then charges his disciples to be the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world," reflecting God's glory through their good works. Jesus clarifies his mission is to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, not abolish them, demanding a righteousness that exceeds mere external observance. He proceeds to deepen the understanding of various commandments, addressing internal attitudes like anger and lust, and advocating for reconciliation, truthful speech, non-retaliation, and the radical love of enemies.

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The Setting for the Sermon

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him,

and He began to teach them, saying:

The Beatitudes: Kingdom Blessings

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Disciples as Salt and Light

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Christ Fulfills the Law

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.

For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

The Superior Standard: Anger and Murder

You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

The Superior Standard: Adultery and Lust

You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell.

The Superior Standard: Divorce

It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’

But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

The Superior Standard: Oaths

Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

The Superior Standard: Non-Retaliation

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well;

and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

The Superior Standard: Loving Enemies

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Study Notes for Matthew 5

Verse 1

This verse introduces the context for the Sermon on the Mount, the most influential discourse in Christian history. Jesus teaches his disciples and the surrounding multitudes about the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Verse 3

To be 'poor in spirit' means recognizing one's complete spiritual bankruptcy and dependence on God, which is the foundational attitude for receiving the Kingdom.

Verse 4

This refers primarily to mourning over sin and the brokenness of the world, rather than common grief, though God comforts all sorrow.

Verse 5

The 'meek' are those who submit their strength and will to God. This promise of inheriting the earth is rooted in Old Testament hope (Ps. 37:11) and relates to participating in Christ’s future reign.

Verse 6

This beatitude emphasizes an intense, spiritual longing for God's justice and moral goodness, which is satisfied by receiving righteousness through Christ.

Verse 8

Purity of heart implies sincerity and undivided devotion to God, free from duplicity. To 'see God' refers to intimate knowledge of him in this life and ultimate union in the next.

Verse 9

Peacemakers actively work to resolve conflict and restore broken relationships, thereby reflecting God's own work of reconciliation through Christ.

Verse 10

This final beatitude confirms that living according to God’s standards inevitably leads to opposition from the world, yet promises the same reward as the 'poor in spirit'.

Verse 12

The reference to persecuted prophets validates the suffering of the disciples, placing them in the honorable tradition of God's messengers throughout history.

Verse 13

Salt in the ancient world was essential for preservation and flavor. Disciples are called to maintain the moral integrity of society and enhance its spiritual life.

Verse 14

As the 'light of the world,' disciples are to reflect the true light, Jesus Christ, making God's presence and truth visible to the surrounding culture.

Verse 16

The purpose of good works is not self-glorification, but to direct the attention of observers toward God, leading them to praise the Father.

Verse 17

Jesus emphatically states that he has come not to abolish the Torah (Law) or the Prophets, but to bring their purpose to completion, revealing their true, internal spiritual demands.

Verse 18

A 'jot' (yodh) and 'tittle' (a small stroke) emphasize the divine origin and absolute permanence of God's revealed instruction until its ultimate fulfillment in the new creation.

Verse 19

This underscores the ongoing authority of the commandments and warns against teaching laxity, contrasting those who merely teach the Law with those who both practice and teach it.

Verse 20

The required 'exceeding righteousness' is internal and transformative, going beyond the meticulous but often superficial external adherence practiced by the religious leaders of the day.

Verse 21

Jesus begins the first of six antitheses, contrasting the traditional external interpretation of the Law (what 'was said') with his radical, internal interpretation ('But I say unto you').

Verse 22

Jesus elevates the sin of murder to include the internal attitude of anger and verbal contempt (*Raca* and *Thou fool*), demonstrating that sin begins in the heart.

Verse 24

Reconciliation with one's neighbor takes priority over religious ritual, demonstrating that right horizontal relationships are essential for acceptable vertical worship.

Verse 25

This analogy urges swift reconciliation, possibly referring to legal systems, but primarily emphasizing the urgency of settling conflicts before facing divine judgment.

Verse 28

Jesus internalizes the command against adultery, teaching that deliberate, cultivated lust is recognized by God as a violation of the covenant, equivalent to the physical act.

Verse 29

This is hyperbolic language stressing the absolute necessity of radical self-discipline to eliminate sources of sin, emphasizing that avoiding hell is worth any cost.

Verse 32

Jesus restricts the legitimate grounds for divorce to *porneia* (often translated as fornication or sexual immorality), reaffirming God's original intent for marriage as a lifelong covenant (Gen. 2:24).

Verse 34

The prohibition against swearing 'at all' is aimed at frivolous or manipulative oaths, especially those that evade responsibility by swearing by indirect references to God.

Verse 37

Jesus calls for simple, truthful communication. The disciple's credibility should rely on consistent character, making elaborate oaths unnecessary to guarantee honesty.

Verse 38

The principle of *lex talionis* ('an eye for an eye') was established in the Mosaic Law to limit judicial punishment and prevent excessive revenge, ensuring fairness in civil courts.

Verse 39

Jesus transforms the legal principle into a radical ethical demand for personal conduct, urging disciples to forgo personal vengeance and absorb injustice rather than retaliate.

Verse 40

This example encourages radical generosity and a willingness to suffer financial loss rather than engaging in contentious legal battles over material possessions.

Verse 41

This refers to the Roman imperial right of *angareia*, compelling service. Going 'twain' (two miles) is an act of voluntary service that disarms the oppressor through unexpected kindness.

Verse 43

The command to 'hate thine enemy' was likely an oral tradition or a misinterpretation of Jewish identity, as the Old Testament never explicitly commanded hatred of personal enemies.

Verse 44

This revolutionary command is the ethical climax, extending love, blessing, and active good to those who actively seek harm, defining the distinctiveness of Kingdom ethics.

Verse 45

Disciples demonstrate their identity as God's children by imitating his universal goodness, known as common grace, which benefits both the righteous and the unrighteous alike.

Verse 46

Loving only those who love you is merely reciprocal human behavior, not divine love. Publicans (tax collectors) were notorious for their self-serving relationships.

Verse 48

The command to be 'perfect' (Gk. *teleios*) means reaching spiritual maturity, wholeness, or completeness, specifically through demonstrating comprehensive, impartial, and universal love, mirroring the character of the Father.

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