Matthew 5
5
The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes
1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His #5:1 A disciple was a “learner” who may have been curious or convinced or committed.disciples came to Him. 2Then He began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. [Luke 6:20-23]
4 “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted]. [Is 61:2]
5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the #5:5 Or humble, meek.gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth. [Ps 37:11]
6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied. [Is 55:1, 2]
7 “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God. [Ps 24:3, 4]
9 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. [Heb 12:14]
10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for #5:10 Lit the sake of righteousness.doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
11 “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. 12Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. [2 Chr 36:16]
Disciples and the World
13 “You are the # 5:13 In ancient times salt was often used as a preservative. Similarly, followers of Christ are to preserve both the gospel message and Christian values in the secular world. salt of the earth; but if the salt has # 5:13 The salt from the Dead Sea contains impurities that affect its qualities as a seasoning and as a preservative. lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery].
14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; 11:33] 16Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the # 5:17 I.e. the Pentateuch. Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the]Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished. 19So whoever breaks one of the least [important]of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least [important] in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness (uprightness, moral essence) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Personal Relationships
21 “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be # 5:21 Or liable to. guilty before the court.’ [Ex 20:13; Deut 5:17; 16:18] 22But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, #5:22 A severe Aramaic insult.‘Raca (You empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the #5:22 Gr Gehenna, a Greek version of the Hebrew for Valley of Hinnom, a ravine where garbage was burned continuously, located just south of Jerusalem. Often regarded in ancient times as symbolic of hell (the lake of fire), a realm reserved for the wicked. Mentioned in Matt 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6.fiery hell. 23So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you, 24leave your offering there at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25Come to terms quickly [at the earliest opportunity] with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way [to court], so that your opponent does not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you are thrown into prison. [Luke 12:58, 59] 26I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid the last #5:26 Gr kodrantes, from the Lat quadrans, which was the smallest Roman bronze coin.cent.
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; [Ex 20:14; Deut 5:18] 28but I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye makes you stumble and leads you to sin, tear it out and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30If your right hand makes you stumble and leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
31 “It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife is to give her a certificate of divorce’; 32but I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on grounds of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits adultery. [Deut 24:1-4; Luke 16:18]
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not make false vows, but you shall fulfill your vows to the Lord [as a religious duty].’ 34But I say to you, do not make an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. [Ps 48:2; Is 66:1] 36Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you are not able to make a single hair white or black. 37But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one. [Lev 19:12; Num 30:2; Deut 23:21]
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’ [Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21] 39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever #5:39 In this context the “slap” is not an act of violence, but more likely an insult or violation of one’s rights.slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise]. [Luke 6:29, 30; Rom 12:17-21] 40If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, #5:40 Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender]. 41And whoever #5:41 Roman soldiers were allowed to force civilian bystanders to carry their gear one mile for them.forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. [Deut 15:8; Prov 24:29]
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ [Lev 19:18; Ps 139:21, 22] 44But I say to you, #5:44 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Prov 25:21, 22] 45so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. 46For if you love [only]those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? 47And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others]are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? 48You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect. [Lev 19:2]
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Matthew 5
5
The Sermon on the Mount
(Mt 5–7)
1#Mt 15:29; Mk 3:13Now seeing the crowds, He went up on a mountain. And when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
The Beatitudes
Lk 6:20–23
2#Mt 13:35; Ac 8:35And He began speaking and taught them, saying:
3#Isa 61:1; 66:2 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4#Isa 61:2–3; Rev 21:4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
5#Ps 37:11; Ro 4:13 Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
6#Jn 4:14; 6:48–58 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
7#2Sa 22:26; Pr 11:17 Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
8#Ps 24:4; Heb 12:14 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
9#Mt 5:45; Lk 6:35 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the sons of God.
10#Mt 5:3; Lk 6:22 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11#1Pe 4:14; Lk 6:22“Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12#Lk 6:23; Ac 5:41; 1Th 2:15Rejoice and be very glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
Mk 9:50; Lk 14:34–35
13#Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34–35“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty? It is from then on good for nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14#Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15#Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16Neither do men light a candle and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the house. 16#1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Teaching About the Law
17#Ro 3:31; Mt 7:12“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18#Lk 16:17For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one dot or one mark will pass from the law until all be fulfilled. 19#Mt 11:11Whoever, therefore, breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20#Php 3:9; Heb 12:14For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven.
Teaching About Anger
21#Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17“You have heard that it was said by the ancients, ‘You shall not murder,’#Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17. and ‘Whoever murders shall be in danger of the judgment.’ 22#Mt 10:28; 26:59But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be in danger of the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
23#Mt 8:4; 23:19“Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24#Mk 9:50; Ro 12:17–18leave your gift there before the altar and go on your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25#Pr 25:8; Lk 12:58–59“Reconcile with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26#Mt 18:34; Lk 12:59Truly I say to you, you will by no means come out of there until you have paid the last penny.#Gk. kodrantes.
Teaching About Adultery
27#Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18“You have heard that it was said by the ancients, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’#Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18. 28#Job 31:1; 2Sa 11:2But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29#Mt 18:8–9; Mk 9:43–48And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away. For it is profitable that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30#Mt 5:29And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body be thrown into hell.
Teaching About Divorce
Mt 19:9; Mk 10:11–12; Lk 16:18
31#Jer 3:1; Mt 19:7“It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’#Dt 24:1, 3. 32#Lk 16:18; 1Co 7:10–11; Mt 5:28But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.
Teaching About Oaths
33#Lev 19:12; Dt 23:21“Again, you have heard that it was said by the ancients, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall fulfill your oaths to the Lord.’#Lev 19:12; Nu 30:2; Dt 23:21. 34#Isa 66:1; Jas 5:12But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35#Ps 48:2nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37#Jas 5:12; Mt 13:19But let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these comes from the evil one.
Teaching About Revenge
Lk 6:29–30
38#Dt 19:21“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’#Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Dt 19:21. 39#1Co 6:7; Isa 50:6But I say to you, do not resist an evil person. But whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other as well. 40And if anyone sues you in a court of law and takes away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41#Mt 27:32And whoever compels you to go a mile,#Jnh 3:5. go with him two. 42#Ps 37:21; Pr 19:17Give to him who asks you, and from him who would borrow from you do not turn away.
Love for Enemies
Lk 6:27–28, 32–36
43#Lev 19:18; Dt 23:6“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor#Lev 19:18. and hate your enemy.’ 44#Lk 23:34; Ac 7:60But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45#Mt 5:9; Lk 6:35that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47#Mt 5:20And if you greet your brothers only, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48#Lev 19:2; Col 1:28Therefore be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
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