Matthew chapter 5

Up on a mountain, the Lord Jesus delivers his Sermon on the Mount. He teaches us how we his followers are to live our lives.

 


 

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

 

VERSE 1. Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

Seeing the multitudes. Who is it that Jesus is addressing? In this verse, it might be the multitudes. Or it might be his disciples.

Fortunately, Matthew himself answers the question for us, indicating that Jesus was addressing the multitudes:

Matthew 7:28. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,

he went up onto the mountain. Abraham went up onto a mountain to receive the Old Covenant. Now Jesus went up onto a mountain to convey the New Covenant.

he had sat down. Moses and the rabbis sat when they taught. Jesus is positioning himself as a teacher like Moses or the rabbis.

 

VERSE 2. He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

He opened his mouth and taught. The compassion of Jesus motivates him to teach. To teach other people about spiritual and religious truths is the essence of compassion.

 

THE BEATITUDES

 

VERSE 3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

The Lord Jesus says poor people are blessed. However, many Christians trivialize that amazing promise from the Messiah by spiritualizing it. Read more »

 

VERSE 4. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

 

VERSE 5. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

NIV translation. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

the meek. Moses was very humble—more than any person on earth. But in our day, very few Christian leaders are humble. Congregations destroy leaders who are humble. Read more »

 

VERSE 6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

hunger and thirst after righteousness. Our heroes of the faith hungered and thirsted for the living God. How can you become more hungry for God? More thirsty for God? Read more »

 

VERSE 7. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

Psalm 41:4. I said, “LORD, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

 

VERSE 8. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

The Lord Jesus says people whose heart is pure will be blessed to see God! Read more »

 

VERSE 9. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

 

VERSE 10. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

Jeremiah 15:15. LORD, you know. Remember me, visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors. You are patient, so don’t take me away. Know that for your sake I have suffered reproach.

 

VERSE 11. “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

 

VERSE 12. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

 

BE SALT AND LIGHT

 

VERSE 13. “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

if the salt has lost its flavor. In ancient times, the spiritual offerings of God’s people were to be seasoned with salt. In our day, our conversations are to be seasoned with salt. Read more »

 

VERSE 14. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.

You are the light of the world. The light of faith in Jesus Christ burns within us. Our faith is not to be hidden. It’s not to be buried under a basket, unspoken of.

 

VERSE 15. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.

it shines to all. In ancient days, a candle burned in the Tent of Meeting. But in our day, the light is to shine from within us. How can you let your light shine? Read more »

 

VERSE 16. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

let your light shine before men. In ancient days, a candle burned in the Tent of Meeting. But in our day, the light is to shine from within us. How can you let your light shine? Read more »

If we believe our mission in life is to touch just a few souls here and there, then our vision is way too small. Thatʼs not enough. The LORD God would make of us a light to the entire world! Read more »

 

OBEY AND TEACH THE LAW

 

VERSE 17. “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

I came … to fulfill. What was the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he himself define it? Here are the verses we find in the four gospels.

Matthew 22:40. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.

 

VERSE 18. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.

 

VERSE 19. Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

do and teach. It is not enough to “do.” We must also “teach.” That is, we not only live the Christian life. But we also train new believers in the ways of Christian discipleship.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

Proverbs 1:4. to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man:

 

VERSE 20. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

ANGER EQUALS MURDER

 

VERSE 21. “You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’

 

VERSE 22. But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

the fire of Gehenna. The Lord Jesus Christ talks about Hades, Gehēnna, fire, and darkness. Christians often call those things Hell. Is Hell a location where people are sent? Or a state of being? Read more »

 

VERSE 23. “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,

 

VERSE 24. leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

 

VERSE 25. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

St. Isaiah the Solitary refers to this verse in The Philokalia.

 

VERSE 26. Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.

 

LUST EQUALS ADULTERY

 

VERSE 27. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’

 

VERSE 28. but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

 

VERSE 29. If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

pluck it out and throw it away. We are not aware of anyone who has taken this verse literally.

Gehenna. The Lord Jesus Christ talks about Hades, Gehēnna, fire, and darkness. Christians often call those things Hell. Is Hell a location where people are sent? Or a state of being? Read more »

 

VERSE 30. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

cut it off, and throw it away. We are not aware of anyone who has taken this verse literally.

Gehenna. The Lord Jesus Christ talks about Hades, Gehēnna, fire, and darkness. Christians often call those things Hell. Is Hell a location where people are sent? Or a state of being? Read more »

 

GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE

 

VERSE 31. “It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’

 

VERSE 32. but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.

except for … sexual immorality. If your spouse cheats, that is a legitimate reason for divorce.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

 

DO NOT TAKE AN OATH

 

VERSE 33. “Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’

We should not make promises. Or vows. Rather, our YES should mean YES. And our NO should mean NO. Read more »

 

VERSE 34. but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

don’t swear at all. We should not make promises. Or vows. Rather, our YES should mean YES. And our NO should mean NO. Read more »

 

VERSE 35. nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

don’t swear at all. We should not make promises. Or vows. Rather, our YES should mean YES. And our NO should mean NO. Read more »

 

VERSE 36. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

don’t swear at all. We should not make promises. Or vows. Rather, our YES should mean YES. And our NO should mean NO. Read more »

 

VERSE 37. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes.’ We should not make promises. Or vows. Rather, our YES should mean YES. And our NO should mean NO. Read more »

 

DO NOT RETALIATE

 

VERSE 38. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’

 

VERSE 39. But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

don’t resist him who is evil. This verse was very inspirational for Mohandas K. Gandhi. He based his Satyagraha movement on it. Using nonviolent methods, he won the independence of India from the British Empire.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

 

VERSE 40. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew.

 

VERSE 41. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

 

VERSE 42. Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.

Most of us Christians wonder whether we should give money to beggars. The Lord Jesus provides a very clear answer. Read more »

 

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

 

VERSE 43. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

 

VERSE 44. But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew.

In our day, cultures are increasingly based on hatred and rage. But the Lord Jesus Christ commands us to love our enemies. And bless them. Read more »

 

VERSE 45. that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

 

VERSE 46. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

 

VERSE 47. If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

 

VERSE 48. Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

you shall be perfect. We humans have never been perfect. In fact, we have been saddled with sins and imperfections since the Garden of Eden. Perhaps this verse means that we should be in Jesus Christ. We should have the redemption of Jesus Christ. He is perfection itself.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew.

Deuteronomy 18:13. You shall be blameless with the LORD your God.

 


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MATTHEW

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Commands, Spirituality

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.