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 #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].
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].
5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the #Or humble, meek.gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.
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.
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.
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.
10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for #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.
Disciples and the World
13 “You are the # 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 # 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. 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 # 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 # Or liable to. guilty before the court.’ 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, #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 #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.#Lit Gehenna of fire.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. 26I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid the last #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’; 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.
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. 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.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’ 39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever #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]. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, #Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender]. 41And whoever #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.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, #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, 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.
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Matthew 5
5
1 Then, seeing the crowds, he ascended the mountain, and when he had sat down, his disciples drew near to him,
2 and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.
5 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who endure persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they have slandered you, and persecuted you, and spoken all kinds of evil against you, falsely, for my sake:
12 be glad and exult, for your reward in heaven is plentiful. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, with what will it be salted? It is no longer useful at all, except to be cast out and trampled under by men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
15 And they do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that it may shine to all who are in the house.
16 So then, let your light shine in the sight of men, so that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father, who is in heaven.
17 Do not think that I have come to loosen the law or the prophets. I have not come to loosen, but to fulfill.
18 Amen I say to you, certainly, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one dot shall pass away from the law, until all is done.
19 Therefore, whoever will have loosened one of the least of these commandments, and have taught men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever will have done and taught these, such a one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say to you, that unless your justice has surpassed that of the scribes and the Pharisees you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 You have heard that it was said to the ancients: 'You shall not murder; whoever will have murdered shall be liable to judgment.'
22 But I say to you, that anyone who becomes angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. But whoever will have called his brother, 'Idiot,' shall be liable to the council. Then, whoever will have called him, 'Worthless,' shall be liable to the fires of Hell.
23 Therefore, if you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there, before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to your brother, and then you may approach and offer your gift.
25 Be reconciled with your adversary quickly, while you are still on the way with him, lest perhaps the adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown in prison.
26 Amen I say to you, that you shall not go forth from there, until you have repaid the last quarter.
27 You have heard that it was said to the ancients: 'You shall not commit adultery.'
28 But I say to you, that anyone who will have looked at a woman, so as to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 And if your right eye causes you to sin, root it out and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body be cast into Hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your members perish, than that your whole body go into Hell.
31 And it has been said: 'Whoever would dismiss his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.'
32 But I say to you, that anyone who will have dismissed his wife, except in the case of fornication, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever will have married her who has been dismissed commits adultery.
33 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients: 'You shall not swear falsely. For you shall repay your oaths to the Lord.'
34 But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
35 nor by earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king.
36 Neither shall you swear an oath by your own head, because you are not able to cause one hair to become white or black.
37 But let your word 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and 'No' mean 'No.' For anything beyond that is of evil.
38 You have heard that it was said: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also.
40 And anyone who wishes to contend with you in judgment, and to take away your tunic, release to him your cloak also.
41 And whoever will have compelled you for one thousand steps, go with him even for two thousand steps.
42 Whoever asks of you, give to him. And if anyone would borrow from you, do not turn away from him.
43 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.'
44 But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you.
45 In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way?
48 Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect."
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