Matthew 5:4

KJV

Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {G3107} are they that mourn {G3996}: for {G3754} they {G846} shall be comforted {G3870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"How blessed are those who mourn! for they will be comforted.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 5:4, the second of Jesus' Beatitudes, presents a profound paradox: true blessedness is found not in the absence of sorrow, but in a specific kind of mourning that leads to divine comfort. This declaration challenges conventional notions of happiness, revealing the counter-cultural values of God's Kingdom, where deep spiritual grief—whether over sin, injustice, or personal suffering—is met with God's intimate presence and ultimate solace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 5:4 is nestled within the opening section of Jesus' transformative [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount Begins"), specifically as the second of the Beatitudes found in [Matthew 5:3-12](/matthew/5-3-12 "Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes"). These declarations are not prerequisites for entering the Kingdom, but rather describe the character and spiritual dispositions of those who already belong to it. Following the blessing on the "poor in spirit" in [Matthew 5:3](/matthew/5-3 "Matthew 5:3 - Blessed are the Poor in Spirit"), which speaks to spiritual humility and dependence on God, this verse introduces the equally counter-intuitive idea that sorrow, when rightly directed, is a pathway to profound divine favor and comfort. It sets a tone for the entire sermon, emphasizing an internal, spiritual righteousness that often stands in stark contrast to external appearances or worldly values.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, "blessedness" (or happiness) was often associated with prosperity, health, and freedom from suffering. Similarly, some Jewish traditions, particularly those influenced by a strict interpretation of the Law, might have linked blessing to outward obedience and material well-being, viewing suffering as a sign of divine disfavor. Jesus' declaration in [Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who Mourn") radically subverts these expectations. He was speaking to a diverse crowd, including many who were oppressed, marginalized, or suffering under Roman rule and religious legalism. His words would have been startling, offering hope and a redefinition of what it means to be truly blessed in a world rife with hardship and injustice. This Beatitude points to a spiritual reality that transcends temporal circumstances, offering a glimpse into the upside-down values of God's Kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the Sermon on the Mount. Firstly, it underscores the **Paradox of Kingdom Values**, where weakness, humility, and even sorrow are pathways to strength, blessing, and divine favor, directly challenging worldly wisdom. Secondly, it highlights the **Nature of True Righteousness**, which is not merely external adherence to rules but an internal disposition of the heart, including a spiritual sensitivity to sin and suffering. This mourning is often understood as a "godly sorrow" that leads to repentance, as described in [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow"). Thirdly, it emphasizes **Divine Comfort and Consolation**, portraying God not as a distant judge but as a compassionate Father who draws near to those in pain. This comfort is both a present reality through the Holy Spirit, often referred to as the [Comforter or Helper](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Comforter"), and a future promise, culminating in the eschatological hope of a new heaven and new earth where God will [wipe away every tear](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blessed (Greek, _makários'_):** This term, G3107, is a prolonged form of a poetical word meaning "supremely blest." By extension, it means fortunate or well-off. In the context of the Beatitudes, it signifies a state of profound spiritual well-being and divine favor that is independent of external circumstances. It describes a deep, abiding joy and prosperity that comes from being in right relationship with God, rather than from worldly success or comfort.
* **Mourn (Greek, _penthéō'_):** This word, G3996, derived from _pénthos_, means "to grieve (the feeling or the act)" or "to mourn, (be-)wail." It denotes a deep, profound sorrow or lamentation, often associated with intense grief over death or significant tragedy. In this context, it refers to a sorrow that is not superficial but cuts to the heart, often indicative of a spiritual sensitivity to sin (one's own and the world's) and suffering, or a heartfelt grief over the brokenness of the world.
* **Comforted (Greek, _parakaléō'_):** This verb, G3870, comes from _pará_ (alongside) and _kaléō_ (to call). It means "to call near," "to invite," "to invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)." It encompasses the ideas of beseeching, encouraging, consoling, and strengthening. It is the root of the noun _Paraclete_, a title for the Holy Spirit. This highlights that the promised comfort is not merely a cessation of pain but an active, empowering presence and intervention by God Himself, drawing near to provide solace and strength.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed [are] they that mourn":** This phrase declares a state of profound spiritual well-being and divine favor upon those who experience deep sorrow. The "mourning" referred to is not merely any sadness, but a specific kind of grief. It encompasses sorrow over one's own sin and the sinfulness of humanity, a lament over the injustice and brokenness of the world, and a heartfelt grief over personal losses, all of which lead one to depend on God. This is a counter-intuitive blessing, as the world typically avoids sorrow, but Jesus elevates it as a pathway to divine intimacy.
* **"for they shall be comforted":** This clause provides the reason and the promise for the blessing. The Greek conjunction "for" (_hóti_, G3754) indicates a direct causal relationship. The comfort promised is not a vague feeling but an active, divine intervention. It comes from God Himself, often through the Holy Spirit, who is the ultimate Comforter. This comfort is multifaceted: it provides strength and peace in the midst of present suffering, and it points to a future, eschatological comfort where all tears will be wiped away in God's eternal Kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Matthew 5:4 is **Paradox**. Jesus declares those who mourn as "blessed," which fundamentally contradicts the common human understanding of happiness, where joy is associated with the absence of sorrow. This paradoxical statement forces the listener to reconsider their values and embrace a Kingdom perspective where spiritual gain can arise from worldly loss or grief. Implicitly, there is also an element of **Antithesis**, as Jesus contrasts the world's pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain with the Kingdom's embrace of a sorrow that leads to deeper spiritual reality. Finally, the verse contains a **Promise** or **Prophecy**, assuring a future state of comfort for those who engage in this specific kind of mourning, thereby offering hope and motivation for spiritual living.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 5:4 profoundly connects to the nature of God as a compassionate Father who draws near to the brokenhearted, as well as the transformative power of repentance and the eschatological hope of ultimate restoration. This Beatitude reveals that God's Kingdom operates on principles contrary to worldly wisdom, where vulnerability and sorrow, when rooted in spiritual sensitivity, become conduits for divine grace. It underscores the active role of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, who indwells believers and provides solace and strength in the midst of their grief, transforming sorrow into a deeper reliance on God and a longing for His perfect reign.

* [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow Leading to Repentance")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear")
* [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit as the Comforter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 5:4 offers profound encouragement and a challenging call to spiritual depth for believers today. It invites us to re-evaluate our understanding of happiness, recognizing that true blessedness is not found in avoiding pain, but in engaging with it in a way that draws us closer to God. This means cultivating a heart that mourns over sin—our own and the world's—leading to genuine repentance and a desire for righteousness. It also means allowing ourselves to grieve deeply in times of personal loss, trusting that God is intimately present in our sorrow and will provide His unique comfort. Furthermore, this Beatitude compels us to extend compassion to others who mourn, becoming agents of God's comfort in a broken world. Embracing this counter-cultural truth allows us to find peace and strength even amidst suffering, knowing that our tears are seen by God and will ultimately be wiped away by His loving hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific kinds of "mourning" do you believe Jesus is referring to in this Beatitude, beyond just personal grief?**
* **How have you personally experienced God's comfort in times of sorrow, and what did that comfort feel like?**
* **How can we, as followers of Christ, be instruments of God's comfort to others who are mourning in our communities and the world?**

### FAQ

**Is all mourning blessed by God?**
Answer: No, not all mourning is blessed in the way Jesus describes in [Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who Mourn"). The blessed mourning is a specific kind of spiritual grief. It includes sorrow over one's own sin and the pervasive sinfulness of the world, leading to repentance and a longing for God's righteousness. It also encompasses a compassionate grief over the suffering, injustice, and brokenness in the world, and a deep, heartfelt sorrow over personal loss that drives one to God for solace. This is distinct from a worldly sorrow that leads to despair or bitterness, as highlighted in [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow").

**Who provides the comfort promised in this verse?**
Answer: The comfort promised in [Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who Mourn") comes ultimately from God Himself. This divine comfort is often mediated through the person and work of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus referred to as the [Comforter or Helper](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Comforter"). The Holy Spirit indwells believers, providing peace, strength, and hope in the midst of their sorrow. This comfort is not merely the absence of pain, but an empowering presence that enables one to endure suffering with faith and hope, knowing that God is intimately involved in their pain.

**Is the comfort only for the future, in heaven?**
Answer: While the promise of ultimate comfort certainly points to the future, where God will [wipe away every tear](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears") in the new heaven and new earth, the comfort is also a present reality. Believers can experience God's comfort and peace in the here and now, even amidst their deepest sorrows. The Holy Spirit provides strength, perspective, and a sense of God's presence that sustains us through grief. This present comfort is a foretaste of the complete and eternal comfort that awaits those who mourn with a godly sorrow.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 5:4 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the blessed mourner and is the supreme source of comfort. He was the "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief," as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - A Man of Sorrows"), who mourned over the sin and brokenness of humanity, even weeping over Jerusalem's rejection of God's grace in [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem"). His profound grief culminated in His suffering and death on the cross, where He bore the weight of the world's sin, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for our reconciliation with God. Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, securing the promise of comfort for all who mourn with godly sorrow. He is our sympathetic High Priest, who can [sympathize with our weaknesses](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest"), having experienced human suffering Himself. His invitation to the weary and burdened in [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to the Weary") is the very essence of this Beatitude's promise: come to Him, and He will give you rest and comfort. Ultimately, the comfort promised in [Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who Mourn") is the comfort of salvation, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the eschatological hope of a new creation where Christ, our King, will personally [wipe away every tear](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears") from the eyes of His redeemed.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

2 Corinthians 7:9

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

2 Corinthians 7:10

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Isaiah 61:2

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Isaiah 61:3

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

John 16:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.