Seeing
the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He opened his mouth and taught them...
Matthew 5:1-2
Matthew 4 [23.] Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Matthew 5 [1.] Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
Matthew 5 [3.] “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.[a]
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.[b]
Blessed are the gentle,
for they shall inherit the earth.[c][d]
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 5:3 Isaiah 57:15; 66:2.
b. Matthew 5:4 Isaiah 61:2; 66:10,13.
c. Matthew 5:5 or, land.
d. Matthew 5:5 Psalm 37:11
Meaning:
This passage marks the beginning of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching that outlines the principles of God's kingdom.
- Setting:
Location: Jesus sees the crowds and goes up onto a mountainside, where he sits down to teach. This action symbolizes authority and readiness to impart important teachings.
Audience: His disciples gather around him, eager to listen and learn from their Rabbi and Teacher.
- Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount:
Sermon’s Importance: The Sermon on the Mount is one of Jesus' most comprehensive teachings, covering various aspects of Christian ethics, values, and spiritual principles.
Discipleship Emphasis: By addressing his disciples, Jesus underscores the importance of learning and living out these teachings as a core aspect of discipleship.
Significance
- Opening Words:
Authority: Jesus "opened his mouth," a phrase signifying the beginning of an authoritative discourse. Sitting down also denotes the posture of a rabbi delivering formal instruction (Matthew 23:2).
Teaching: Jesus begins to teach, laying the foundation of what it means to follow him and live according to God’s kingdom values.
- Key Themes Introduced:
Beatitudes: Immediately following these verses, Jesus introduces the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), which outline the characteristics and blessings of those who embody the kingdom values—such as humility, meekness, and righteousness.
Ethical Teachings: Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses themes such as anger (Matthew 5:21-26), adultery (Matthew 5:27-30), love for enemies (Matthew 5:43-48), prayer (Matthew 6:5-15), and many others. These teachings challenge cultural norms and elevate God’s standards of righteousness.
Theological Reflection
- Kingdom of God:
Inauguration: Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount inaugurate the principles of God’s kingdom on earth. They reveal God’s will for human conduct and the transformative power of living in alignment with these principles.
Counter-cultural: The teachings often contrast with prevailing cultural norms and religious practices of the time, emphasizing heart transformation over mere external observance (Matthew 23:25-28).
- Discipleship and Obedience:
Call to Follow: The Sermon on the Mount is a call to discipleship—following Jesus not only as Teacher but also as Lord and Savior (Luke 6:46).
Obedience: Jesus emphasizes the importance of obeying God’s commandments and living out righteousness from the heart (Matthew 5:19).
Practical Applications
- Living Kingdom Values:
Humility and Service: Embrace the attitudes and virtues highlighted in the Beatitudes, such as humility, mercy, and peacemaking (Matthew 5:3-9).
Integrity and Honesty: Apply Jesus’ teachings on honesty, integrity, and faithfulness in everyday life, whether in relationships, business dealings, or personal conduct.
Love and Forgiveness: Practice love for enemies and forgiveness, reflecting God’s grace and mercy in our interactions (Matthew 5:44-45).
- Growth in Christlikeness:
Spiritual Formation: Engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and studying God’s Word to deepen understanding and application of kingdom principles (Matthew 6:1-18).
Community and Accountability: Seek community with other believers for support, encouragement, and accountability in living out these teachings (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Cross-References:
Luke 6:20-23: "He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.'" Luke’s version of the Beatitudes complements Matthew’s, offering insights into the blessings of God’s kingdom.
Matthew 7:24-27: "Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall." Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a parable illustrating the importance of putting his teachings into practice.
Conclusion: Matthew 5:1-2 introduces us to the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus lays out the principles and values of God’s kingdom. As we heed these teachings, we are challenged to live with integrity, love, and humility, reflecting the character of Christ in our daily lives. Let us embrace the call to discipleship, seeking to honor God and bring his kingdom values into every aspect of our existence.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible