The Sermon on the Mount: An Overview
The Sermon on the Mount, recorded primarily in Matthew 5, Matthew 6, and Matthew 7, stands as the most comprehensive and profound discourse delivered by Jesus Christ. It is not merely a collection of moral teachings but a radical exposition of the righteousness required for entrance into and conduct within the Kingdom of Heaven. Delivered early in His public ministry, this sermon unveils the true nature of God's Kingdom, contrasting it sharply with the superficial religiosity and worldly values of the time. It serves as a foundational text for understanding Christian discipleship, revealing the heart of God's law and the transformative power of His grace.
Location and Audience
The setting for this monumental address is described as a "mountain" or "hill" (Matthew 5:1), providing a natural amphitheatre for the multitude that followed Him. His primary audience were His disciples, though the crowds were also present and undoubtedly captivated by His authority.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
This was not a private lesson but a public declaration of the principles that would govern His new covenant and the lives of those who would follow Him. It challenged preconceived notions of righteousness, offering a path to blessedness far removed from external rituals or human traditions.
The Beatitudes: The Character of the Kingdom Citizen
Jesus begins His sermon with the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), eight declarations of blessedness that describe the character of those who truly belong to His Kingdom. These are not conditions for salvation, but rather the spiritual attitudes and dispositions that flow from a heart transformed by God's grace. They stand in stark contrast to the world's pursuit of power, wealth, and recognition, instead exalting humility, mourning for sin, meekness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and perseverance in persecution. Each Beatitude promises a divine reward, culminating in the assurance of the Kingdom of Heaven itself. They paint a portrait of true spiritual prosperity, found not in outward circumstances but in inward transformation.
Salt and Light: The Influence of Believers
Following the Beatitudes, Jesus defines the role of His disciples in the world, declaring them to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-16). As salt preserves and adds flavor, believers are to be a preservative against corruption and a savory influence in a decaying world. As light illuminates and guides, so too are Christians called to shine forth the truth and glory of God, dispelling spiritual darkness through their good works and righteous lives.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
This section emphasizes the public and transformative nature of Christian discipleship; it is not a private faith but one meant to impact and transform society.
Christ and the Law: A Deeper Righteousness
Perhaps one of the most revolutionary sections of the sermon is Jesus' teaching on the Law (Matthew 5:17-48). He unequivocally states that He did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to "fulfil" them (Matthew 5:17). This fulfillment is not merely through obedience to every jot and tittle, but by revealing the Law's true spiritual intent and bringing it to its ultimate purpose through His own life, death, and resurrection. Jesus then expounds upon several commandments, demonstrating that God's law extends beyond outward actions to the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Murder: Extended to anger and insult (Matthew 5:21-26).
- Adultery: Extended to lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-30).
- Divorce: Clarified against casual dismissal (Matthew 5:31-32).
- Oaths: Called for simple truthfulness (Matthew 5:33-37).
- Retaliation: Advocated turning the other cheek and going the extra mile (Matthew 5:38-42).
- Love for Enemies: Commanded love for those who persecute, reflecting God's own character (Matthew 5:43-48).
This section demands a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, a righteousness of the heart, not merely of outward observance.
True Righteousness: Avoiding Hypocrisy
In Matthew 6, Jesus shifts focus to the practice of righteousness, emphasizing the motive behind actions. He warns against performing spiritual duties to be seen of men, exposing the hypocrisy of those who seek human applause rather than God's approval. He addresses three key areas of Jewish piety:
The overarching principle is that true devotion is directed towards God alone, and He, who sees in secret, will reward openly.
Treasures in Heaven and Trust in God
Continuing the theme of true priorities, Jesus exhorts His followers to lay up "treasures in heaven" rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). He explains that where one's treasure is, there will their heart be also. This leads into a powerful discourse on trusting God for daily needs, warning against anxiety and worldly cares (Matthew 6:25-34). He points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God's provision, concluding with the pivotal command:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
This teaching calls for radical faith, prioritizing God's Kingdom and His righteous ways above all earthly concerns.
Judging Others and the Golden Rule
In Matthew 7, Jesus addresses the sensitive issue of judging others. He cautions against hypocritical judgment, urging His disciples to first remove the "beam" from their own eye before attempting to remove the "mote" from another's (Matthew 7:1-5). This is not a prohibition against discernment, but against self-righteous condemnation. He then encourages persistent prayer, assuring that God will answer those who "ask, seek, and knock" (Matthew 7:7-11). This section culminates in the profound ethical principle known as the Golden Rule:
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
This single verse encapsulates the essence of the Law and the Prophets regarding human relationships, demanding active, self-sacrificial love.
The Narrow Way, False Prophets, and the Wise Builder
The sermon concludes with a series of urgent warnings and calls to decisive action. Jesus contrasts the "strait gate" and "narrow way" that leads to life with the "wide gate" and "broad way" that leads to destruction, emphasizing the fewness of those who truly find it (Matthew 7:13-14). He warns against "false prophets," who appear as sheep but are ravenous wolves, and teaches that they will be known by their "fruits" (Matthew 7:15-20).
The sermon culminates in the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27). This parable underscores the critical distinction between merely hearing Christ's words and actively obeying them. The wise builder hears and does, building his house upon the solid rock of Christ's teaching, while the foolish builder hears but does not do, building on shifting sand. When the storms of life come, only the house built on the rock will stand.
Conclusion: The Authority of Christ's Teaching
The Sermon on the Mount is more than a moral code; it is a declaration of the Kingdom of God and a call to a radical, transformed life. It reveals the heart of God, the true nature of righteousness, and the path to genuine blessedness. The people who heard Jesus were "astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:28-29). Unlike the scribes who quoted tradition, Jesus spoke with inherent divine authority. His words demand not just intellectual assent but wholehearted obedience, for they are the very words of eternal life, offering the only sure foundation for a life pleasing to God and enduring through eternity.