Matthew 5:6

KJV

Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {G3107} are they which {G3588} do hunger {G3983} and {G2532} thirst {G1372} after righteousness {G1343}: for {G3754} they {G846} shall be filled {G5526}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"How blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness! for they will be filled.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 5:6, part of Jesus' foundational Sermon on the Mount, declares a profound blessing upon those who intensely long for righteousness, promising them ultimate satisfaction. This beatitude unveils a core characteristic of kingdom citizens: a deep, insatiable spiritual craving for God's perfect standard, His justice, and a right relationship with Him, which God Himself pledges to fulfill in abundance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 5:6 is the fourth of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), which open Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, His most extensive discourse recorded in the Gospels. Following blessings on the poor in spirit, those who mourn, and the meek, this beatitude deepens the description of the kingdom citizen's inner disposition. The Beatitudes collectively paint a counter-cultural portrait of blessedness, contrasting worldly values with the values of God's kingdom. They serve as an introduction to the ethical demands and spiritual realities of kingdom life that Jesus expounds upon in the remainder of [Matthew 5](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Beatitudes and Kingdom Ethics"), [Matthew 6](/matthew/6 "Matthew 6 - Prayer, Fasting, and Material Possessions"), and [Matthew 7](/matthew/7 "Matthew 7 - Judging Others and the Narrow Gate").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, hunger and thirst were not mere inconveniences but often life-threatening realities. Access to food and water was a daily struggle for many, making the metaphors of "hunger and thirst" incredibly potent. People understood viscerally what it meant to genuinely crave these necessities for survival. The concept of "righteousness" (Hebrew: *tzedaqah*, Greek: *dikaiosýnē*) was central to Jewish thought, encompassing moral uprightness, justice, adherence to God's law, and a right standing before God. However, in Jesus' day, many religious leaders emphasized external adherence to the law, often missing the internal transformation God desired. Jesus' teaching here shifts the focus from external performance to an internal, desperate longing for a righteousness that transcends mere legalism, a righteousness that only God can truly provide and fulfill.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **internal spiritual disposition** as paramount for kingdom citizenship, contrasting with external religiosity. It underscores the **radical nature of kingdom values**, where true blessedness is found not in worldly power or comfort, but in spiritual longing and humility. The promise of being "filled" points to God's **divine provision and satisfaction**, a recurring theme where God meets the deepest needs of His people (e.g., [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")). Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **righteousness** as both a pursuit and a gift, a concept central to understanding salvation and sanctification throughout the New Testament, particularly in Pauline theology.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hunger (Greek, _peináō'_):** From the same root as "poverty" (penēs), this word literally means "to famish" or "to be an hungered." Figuratively, as used here, it signifies an intense, desperate craving or longing. It implies a recognition of one's own spiritual emptiness or lack, driving a fervent desire for spiritual sustenance.
* **Thirst (Greek, _dipsáō'_):** This term literally means "to be thirsty" and, like hunger, is used figuratively to denote an intense, urgent longing. Paired with "hunger," it emphasizes the totality and desperation of the spiritual craving, representing a fundamental, life-sustaining need. The combination underscores a deep, all-consuming yearning for something vital.
* **Righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** Derived from *dikaios* ("just, righteous"), this term refers to equity of character or act. In a Christian context, it encompasses moral uprightness, conformity to God's will, a right relationship with God and others, and God's own saving righteousness imputed to believers. It is not merely human ethical behavior but a divine standard and a gift from God.
* **Filled (Greek, _chortázō'_):** Originally meaning "to fodder" or "to feed with grass," this word came to mean "to gorge" or "to supply food in abundance," leading to the sense of being completely satisfied or satiated. In this context, it promises a complete spiritual fulfillment and satisfaction that addresses the deep hunger and thirst for righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:"** This opening clause identifies the recipients of the blessing. "Blessed" (makários) denotes a state of supreme happiness and divine favor. The core characteristic is an active, intense, and persistent longing—"hunger and thirst"—for "righteousness." This is not a passive wish but an urgent, consuming desire, akin to the body's need for food and water. This "righteousness" encompasses both God's perfect standard of justice and holiness, and the right standing with God that He provides. It implies a deep awareness of one's own spiritual inadequacy and a yearning for divine conformity and rectitude.
* **"for they shall be filled."** This second clause provides the divine promise and assurance. The conjunction "for" (hóti) indicates the reason or consequence. Those who intensely crave righteousness will experience complete satisfaction. The verb "filled" (chortázō) conveys the idea of being fully satisfied, completely satiated, and abundantly supplied. This "filling" is spiritual, encompassing the forgiveness of sins, the imputation of Christ's righteousness, the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit, growth in personal holiness (sanctification), and ultimately, the full realization of God's justice and presence in His kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Matthew 5:6 is **Metaphor**. Jesus employs the vivid and universally understood physical sensations of "hunger and thirst" to describe an intense spiritual longing. This metaphor powerfully conveys the idea that the desire for righteousness should be as fundamental and life-sustaining as the need for food and water. It is not a casual interest but an urgent, desperate craving. The use of this metaphor also implies **Hyperbole**, as the spiritual hunger and thirst are depicted as being so profound that they demand complete satisfaction, mirroring the extreme discomfort and danger of physical deprivation. Furthermore, the Beatitude structure itself is a form of **Parallelism**, where each blessing follows a similar "Blessed are those who... for they shall..." pattern, creating a rhythmic and memorable teaching.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 5:6 speaks profoundly to the human condition of spiritual need and God's abundant provision. It teaches that true blessedness is not found in self-sufficiency or worldly pursuits, but in a deep, conscious recognition of one's spiritual poverty and an urgent yearning for God's righteousness. This righteousness is multifaceted: it is the perfect standard of God's character, the right standing God grants to believers through faith, and the ongoing process of being conformed to Christ's image (sanctification). The promise of being "filled" assures us that God will satisfy this profound spiritual longing, not with fleeting worldly pleasures, but with Himself, His justice, and His Spirit, leading to ultimate and lasting contentment. This beatitude thus connects the internal disposition of the believer with the transformative work of God, linking justification (being declared righteous) with sanctification (being made righteous).

* [Psalm 42:1-2](/psalms/42-1-2 "Psalm 42:1-2 - A Deer Pants for Water")
* [Isaiah 55:1-2](/isaiah/55-1-2 "Isaiah 55:1-2 - Invitation to Water and Food")
* [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 5:6 serves as a powerful diagnostic tool for our souls. What consumes our thoughts, our efforts, and our deepest desires? Do we hunger and thirst for worldly success, fleeting pleasures, or human approval, or is our most profound craving for God's righteousness? This beatitude challenges us to reorient our affections, recognizing that only God can truly satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. To hunger and thirst after righteousness means to actively pursue holiness, to seek justice in the world, to yearn for a right relationship with God, and to desire to live in conformity to His will. It implies a humble acknowledgment of our spiritual need and a desperate dependence on God to provide what we lack. The promise that "they shall be filled" offers immense hope and assurance: God will not leave us empty. He will satisfy our spiritual hunger and thirst with His presence, His truth, His Spirit, and His transformative power, leading to a profound and lasting contentment that the world cannot offer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my deepest spiritual cravings? Do they align with hungering and thirsting for God's righteousness?**
* **In what practical ways can I cultivate a greater desire for righteousness in my daily life?**
* **How does the promise of being "filled" encourage me when I feel spiritually empty or dissatisfied?**
* **What aspects of "righteousness" (e.g., justice, holiness, right relationship with God) do I most deeply long for?**

### FAQ

**What does "righteousness" specifically mean in this verse?**

Answer: In Matthew 5:6, "righteousness" (Greek: *dikaiosýnē*) is a rich and multifaceted term. It encompasses several layers of meaning:
1. **Moral Uprightness and Holiness:** Living in accordance with God's perfect moral standard and character, reflecting His holiness in one's actions, thoughts, and words.
2. **Justice:** A desire to see God's justice prevail in the world, both individually and systemically, and to participate in bringing about what is right and equitable.
3. **Right Relationship with God:** A longing for a restored and ongoing right standing before God, which is ultimately a gift received through faith in Christ. This includes forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.
4. **Conformity to God's Will:** A deep desire to live in obedience to God's commands and to align one's life with His purposes, as revealed in His Word.
It's not merely about human effort to be good, but a desperate yearning for the divine standard and the divine provision that enables one to live righteously.

**Is this beatitude a command to Christians, or a description of them?**

Answer: Matthew 5:6 functions as both a description and an implicit call. It describes a fundamental characteristic of those who are truly blessed in God's kingdom: they are marked by an intense spiritual longing for righteousness. This is not a superficial interest but a deep, consuming desire. However, by describing this characteristic as blessed, Jesus implicitly invites and encourages His followers to cultivate such a hunger and thirst. It serves as a reminder of what our deepest aspirations should be if we are truly citizens of His kingdom. It highlights a spiritual posture that God honors and promises to satisfy, thereby motivating believers to pursue this longing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 5:6 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the righteousness for which we are called to hunger and thirst; He alone perfectly fulfilled God's righteous demands, living a life of absolute obedience and justice. Our hunger for righteousness is met in Him, for He is "our righteousness" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")). He is the "Bread of Life" and the "Living Water" who satisfies every spiritual hunger and thirst ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and [John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")). Those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst again, for He provides the complete spiritual nourishment that leads to eternal life. Furthermore, Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross enables us to be declared righteous before God, imputing His perfect righteousness to us by faith ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the "filling" promised in this beatitude is primarily the gift of salvation and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, who conforms us to the image of Christ, the Righteous One ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")). Our deepest spiritual longings are not only acknowledged but profoundly satisfied in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

John 4:14

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Psalms 107:9

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

John 6:48

I am that bread of life.

John 6:58

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Isaiah 55:1

¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Isaiah 55:3

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David.