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Matthew 5:1

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¶ And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

And {G1161} seeing {G1492} the multitudes {G3793}, he went up {G305} into {G1519} a mountain {G3735}: and {G2532} when he {G846} was set {G2523}, his {G846} disciples {G3101} came {G4334} unto him {G846}:

Seeing the crowds, Yeshua walked up the hill. After he sat down, his talmidim came to him,

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

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:

Commentary

Context of Matthew 5:1

Matthew 5:1 serves as the crucial introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, one of Jesus' most profound and comprehensive teachings recorded in the Gospels. Following His extensive ministry of healing and preaching throughout Galilee, which drew great multitudes from various regions, Jesus deliberately withdrew to a quieter, elevated place. This verse highlights a significant shift: from ministering to the general public to a focused session with His committed followers, those whom He had called to "follow Him" and become "fishers of men."

Key Themes and Messages

  • Preparation for Teaching: Jesus' deliberate action of going "up into a mountain" and sitting down signifies a formal and intentional act of teaching. It was not a casual conversation but a solemn imparting of divine truth.
  • Discipleship: While "multitudes" were present, the text specifically states that "his disciples came unto him." This indicates that the primary audience for this foundational teaching was His committed followers, underscoring the intimate nature of discipleship.
  • Authority of Jesus: The posture of being "set" (or seated) was the traditional stance of a rabbi or teacher in ancient Jewish culture, signifying authority and readiness to impart wisdom. Jesus teaches not as a scribe, but with inherent authority.
  • Symbolism of the Mountain: In biblical narrative, mountains are often places of divine encounter, revelation, and the giving of law, such as Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai. Jesus, the new Lawgiver, delivers His kingdom principles from a similar elevated position, establishing a powerful parallel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "went up into a mountain" (Greek: eis to oros) suggests a deliberate ascent, not merely a casual stroll. The act of "when he was set" (Greek: kathisantos autou) literally means "when he had sat down." This specific posture is important; it was the standard way a teacher or rabbi would begin a formal instruction, signifying the commencement of an authoritative lesson. It emphasizes the solemnity and significance of the discourse that follows.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it underscores the importance of intentionality in seeking spiritual truth. Just as Jesus' disciples had to physically "come unto him," we too must actively position ourselves to learn from God's Word and from Jesus, our ultimate Teacher. Secondly, it reminds us that while God's grace extends to all, there's a special call to deeper discipleship—a willingness to draw near and commit to His authoritative instruction, particularly the transformative principles found in the Sermon on the Mount. This act of drawing near signifies a readiness to receive and apply His kingdom teachings in our lives, leading to a deeper understanding and obedience.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 3:13 (16 votes)

    ¶ And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth [unto him] whom he would: and they came unto him.

  • Matthew 15:29 (13 votes)

    ¶ And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

  • Mark 4:1 (11 votes)

    ¶ And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

  • John 6:2 (8 votes)

    And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

  • John 6:3 (8 votes)

    And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

  • Mark 3:20 (7 votes)

    And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

  • Matthew 4:25 (5 votes)

    And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and [from] Decapolis, and [from] Jerusalem, and [from] Judaea, and [from] beyond Jordan.