Jesus reverses his typical authoritative teaching style by offering comfort and blessing rather than judgment, with "blessed" appearing eight times in stark contrast to his usual pronouncements of woe.
Matthew 5
The Beatitudes
1Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
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.
14“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
15Neither 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.
16Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus and the Law
17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18For 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.
19Therefore, whoever 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.
20For 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.
Teaching on Anger
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.’
22But 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.
23“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25Agree 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.
26Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
Teaching on Adultery
27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’
28but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29If 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.
30If 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.
Teaching on Divorce
31“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’
32but 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.
Teaching on Oaths
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,’
34but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
37But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
Teaching on Retaliation
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
39But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
41Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44But 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,
45that 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.
46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
47If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
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Theme
Matthew 5 opens the Sermon on the Mount with Jesus teaching his disciples the fundamental principles of kingdom living. Beginning with the Beatitudes, Jesus describes the character and blessings of those who belong to God's kingdom, then calls his followers to be salt and light in the world. He clarifies his relationship to the Mosaic Law and presents six antitheses that reveal the deeper spiritual requirements of righteousness, covering anger, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies.
Context
Following Jesus' calling of the disciples and summary of his ministry in chapter 4, this chapter begins the extended teaching section known as the Sermon on the Mount.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-12 The Beatitudes Jesus pronounces blessings on those who embody kingdom values, promising divine reward for the humble, merciful, and persecuted.
- 13-16 Salt and Light Jesus calls his disciples to preserve and illuminate the world through their distinctive character and good works.
- 17-20 Jesus and the Law Jesus affirms his role as fulfiller of the Law and demands a righteousness that surpasses that of the religious leaders.
- 21-26 Teaching on Anger Jesus extends the prohibition against murder to include anger and insults, emphasizing reconciliation over ritual.
- 27-32 Teaching on Adultery and Divorce Jesus addresses sexual purity in thought and deed, and restricts divorce to cases of sexual immorality.
- 33-37 Teaching on Oaths Jesus calls for simple truthfulness in speech, making elaborate oaths unnecessary.
- 38-48 Teaching on Retaliation and Love Jesus replaces the law of retaliation with radical generosity and commands love even for enemies.
The Beatitudes
5:1–5:12 gospel instruction hopeful
Jesus delivers the Beatitudes, pronouncing blessings on various groups including the poor in spirit, mourners, and the persecuted. These teachings establish fundamental principles of kingdom living and divine blessing.
person_contrast
Jesus reverses his typical authoritative teaching style by offering comfort and blessing rather than judgment, with "blessed" appearing eight times in stark contrast to his usual pronouncements of woe.
Salt and Light
5:13–5:16 gospel instruction
Jesus uses metaphors of salt and light to describe his disciples' role in the world. He calls them to be preserving influences and visible witnesses whose good works bring glory to God.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely pairs the domestic metaphors of salt and lamp with cosmic imagery of "light of the world," elevating mundane preservation and illumination to universal significance.
Jesus and the Law
5:17–5:20 gospel instruction solemn
Jesus declares he came to fulfill, not destroy, the law and prophets, emphasizing that true righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees for entry into God's kingdom.
person_contrast
Jesus uses the emphatic "most certainly" (amen) formula twice in four verses here, a frequency unmatched elsewhere in Matthew's Gospel when discussing legal observance.
Teaching on Anger
5:21–5:26 gospel instruction urgent
Jesus teaches that anger toward others violates the spirit of the murder commandment and emphasizes the importance of reconciliation before offering gifts to God.
person_contrast
Jesus escalates the sixth commandment's prohibition beyond physical murder to include angry words like "Raca" and "fool," making internal attitudes subject to divine judgment.
Teaching on Adultery
5:27–5:30 gospel instruction warning
Jesus expands the adultery commandment to include lustful thoughts and advocates radical measures to avoid sin that leads to judgment.
person_contrast
Jesus transforms the external prohibition against adultery into an internal battle by equating lustful gazing with the completed act, making thought-life as morally consequential as physical behavior.
Teaching on Divorce
5:31–5:32 gospel instruction solemn
Jesus restricts divorce to cases of sexual immorality, teaching that improper divorce leads to adultery.
person_contrast
Jesus transforms divorce from a male privilege requiring only a certificate into a moral crisis where the husband bears responsibility for his wife's subsequent adultery.
Teaching on Oaths
5:33–5:37 gospel instruction solemn
Jesus prohibits oath-making, teaching that simple truthfulness in speech should replace elaborate vows that invoke God's creation.
person_contrast
Jesus transforms oath-taking from a legal safeguard into unnecessary theater by declaring God's sovereignty over every potential guarantor—heaven, earth, Jerusalem—making simple "yes" and "no" the only truthful speech.
Teaching on Retaliation
5:38–5:42 gospel instruction contemplative
Jesus teaches his disciples to respond to evil with non-resistance and generosity, overturning the principle of retaliation with radical love and self-sacrifice.
quotation_chain
Jesus transforms Exodus 21:24's lex talionis from a legal limitation on revenge into a launching point for radical non-retaliation, using the same formulaic "eye for eye" language to completely reverse its intent.
Love for Enemies
5:43–5:48 gospel instruction contemplative
Jesus commands his followers to love their enemies and pray for persecutors, calling them to perfect love that reflects God's universal compassion.
person_contrast
Jesus's command to "love your enemies" appears only here in Matthew's Gospel, making this the sole instance where his teaching authority directly challenges the lex talionis principle with radical compassion.
Insights
Jesus uniquely pairs the domestic metaphors of salt and lamp with cosmic imagery of "light of the world," elevating mundane preservation and illumination to universal significance.
Jesus uses the emphatic "most certainly" (amen) formula twice in four verses here, a frequency unmatched elsewhere in Matthew's Gospel when discussing legal observance.
Jesus escalates the sixth commandment's prohibition beyond physical murder to include angry words like "Raca" and "fool," making internal attitudes subject to divine judgment.
Jesus transforms the external prohibition against adultery into an internal battle by equating lustful gazing with the completed act, making thought-life as morally consequential as physical behavior.
Jesus transforms divorce from a male privilege requiring only a certificate into a moral crisis where the husband bears responsibility for his wife's subsequent adultery.
Jesus transforms oath-taking from a legal safeguard into unnecessary theater by declaring God's sovereignty over every potential guarantor—heaven, earth, Jerusalem—making simple "yes" and "no" the only truthful speech.
Jesus transforms Exodus 21:24's lex talionis from a legal limitation on revenge into a launching point for radical non-retaliation, using the same formulaic "eye for eye" language to completely reverse its intent.
Jesus's command to "love your enemies" appears only here in Matthew's Gospel, making this the sole instance where his teaching authority directly challenges the lex talionis principle with radical compassion.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Matthew 5:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 14:23 Lexical
After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was th…
Matthew 24:3 Lexical
As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What…
Matthew 13:36 Lexical
Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the para…
Matthew 14:15 Lexical
When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send th…
Luke 19:37 Lexical
As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice…
Matthew 5:3 2 references
Matthew 5:6 1 reference
Matthew 5:11 1 reference
Matthew 5:12 2 references
Matthew 5:13 2 references
Matthew 5:15 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 11:33 Lexical
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see t…
Mark 4:21 Lexical
He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a stand?
Luke 8:16 Lexical
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those w…
Luke 12:35 Lexical
“Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
John 5:35 Lexical
He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
Matthew 5:16 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 17:2 Lexical
He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
Luke 10:21 Lexical
In that same hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that y…
Matthew 18:14 Lexical
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 6:2 Lexical
Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and…
Luke 17:24 Lexical
for as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part under the sky, shines to another part under the sky, so will the S…
Matthew 5:17 1 reference
Matthew 5:18 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 16:17 Lexical
But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of a pen in the law to fall.
Matthew 24:34 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.
Luke 21:32 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.
2 Peter 3:10 Lexical
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and t…
Matthew 24:35 Lexical
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Matthew 5:19 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 16:19 Lexical
I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and…
Luke 19:31 Lexical
If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’”
Matthew 18:18 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you rel…
Matthew 19:12 Lexical
For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by me…
Matthew 5:20 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 23:13 Lexical
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers.…
Matthew 18:3 Lexical
and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the K…
Luke 11:53 Lexical
As he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be terribly angry, and to draw many things out o…
Matthew 19:23 Lexical
Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficu…
Matthew 7:21 Lexical
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father…
Matthew 5:24 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 6:42 Lexical
Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don…
Matthew 8:4 Lexical
Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses command…
Matthew 9:6 Lexical
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get…
Matthew 12:45 Lexical
Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The las…
Luke 11:26 Lexical
Then he goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of…
Matthew 5:25 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 12:58 Lexical
For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, les…
Luke 23:25 Lexical
He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus…
Acts 22:4 Lexical
I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,
Matthew 18:30 Lexical
He would not, but went and cast him into prison until he should pay back that which was due.
Luke 13:8 Lexical
He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
Matthew 5:26 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 12:59 Lexical
I tell you, you will by no means get out of there until you have paid the very last penny.”
Mark 6:10 Lexical
He said to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there.
Matthew 20:8 Lexical
“When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, begin…
Luke 9:4 Lexical
Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there.
Matthew 16:28 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man…
Matthew 5:28 1 reference
Matthew 5:29 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 18:9 Lexical
If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one e…
Mark 9:47 Lexical
If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather t…
James 3:6 Lexical
And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets…
John 11:50 Lexical
nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not…
Mark 9:45 Lexical
If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your tw…
Matthew 5:30 5 references
Lexicals 5
James 3:6 Lexical
And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets…
Matthew 18:8 Lexical
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into lif…
John 11:50 Lexical
nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not…
Mark 9:45 Lexical
If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your tw…
Mark 9:47 Lexical
If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather t…
Matthew 5:31 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 19:7 Lexical
They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?”
Matthew 19:9 Lexical
I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he w…
Mark 10:4 Lexical
They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.”
Matthew 5:32 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 19:9 Lexical
I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he w…
Mark 10:11 Lexical
He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
Luke 16:18 Lexical
“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband…
1 Corinthians 7:39 Lexical
A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whomev…
Matthew 5:34 2 references
Matthew 5:35 2 references
Matthew 5:36 4 references
Lexicals 4
Revelation 1:14 Lexical
His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
John 20:12 Lexical
and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
1 Corinthians 12:21 Lexical
The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
1 Corinthians 11:5 Lexical
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as i…
Matthew 5:38 1 reference
Matthew 5:40 1 reference
Matthew 5:41 1 reference
Matthew 5:43 1 reference
Matthew 5:45 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 11:13 Lexical
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the…
Matthew 7:11 Lexical
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven g…
Matthew 13:43 Lexical
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 23:35 Lexical
that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachari…
Galatians 1:4 Lexical
who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God a…
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