Matthew5
English Standard Version
1 the , he the , when , to .
2 he and , :
3 are the in , the of .
4 are those who , shall be .
5 are the , shall the .
6 are those for , shall be .
7 are the , shall receive .
8 are the in , shall .
9 are the , shall be of .
10 are those who are ’ , the of .
11 are you all of on .
12 be , is , they the were .
13 the of the , has lost its , shall its saltiness be ? It no to be .
14 the of the . A a be .
15 do a a , a , it to the .
16In the , let , so they may to is .
17Do I have to the the ; I have to them to them.
18 , I to , , , , the is .
19 of the of to do the will be the of , does will be the of .
20 I , of the , you will of .
21You have it was to those of , ; will to .
22 to who is with will to ; will to the ; , You ! will the of .
23 you are the and ,
24 the . be to , and .
25 to your you to court, your over to the , the the , be .
26 , I to , you you have the .
27You have it , You shall .
28 to who at a intent has committed with .
29 to , out it . it is of that be .
30 to sin, off it . it is you of that .
31It was , , let him a of .
32 to who , on the of , , woman .
33 you have it was to those of , You shall , shall to the what have .
34 to , Do take an at , , it the of ,
35 the , it is , , it the of the .
36 do not take an , you .
37 what simply or ; than .
38You have it was , An an a a .
39 to , Do the one who is . , to the .
40 if , as .
41 , miles.
42 to the one who from , do the one .
43You have it was , You shall .
44 to , those ,
45so you may of is . he the on the , the on the .
46 you those , do you ? the do the ?
47 you , are you than others? even the do the ?
48 must , .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Christ's sermon on the mount. (1, 2). Who are blessed. (3–12). Exhortations and warnings. (13–16). Christ came to confirm the law. (17–20). The sixth commandment. (21–26). The seventh commandment. (27–32). The third commandment. (33–37). The law of retaliation. (38–42). The law of love explained. (43–48).
vv1-2
None will find happiness in this world or the next, who do not seek it from Christ by the rule of his word. He taught them what was the evil they should abhor, and what the good they should seek and abound in.
vv3-12
Our Saviour here gives eight characters of blessed people, which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian. 1. The poor in spirit are happy. These bring their minds to their condition, when it is a low condition. They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of glory is for them. 2. Those that mourn are happy. That godly sorrow which worketh true repentance, watchfulness, a humble mind, and continual dependence for acceptance on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, with constant seeking the Holy Spirit, to cleanse away the remaining evil, seems here to be intended. Heaven is the joy of our Lord; a mountain of joy, to which our way is through a vale of tears. Such mourners shall be comforted by their God. 3. The meek are happy. The meek are those who quietly submit to God; who can bear insult; are silent, or return a soft answer; who, in their patience, keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else. These meek ones are happy, even in this world. Meekness promotes wealth, comfort, and safety, even in this world. 4. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness are happy. Righteousness is here put for all spiritual blessings. These are purchased for us by the righteousness of Christ, confirmed by the faithfulness of God. Our desires of spiritual blessings must be earnest. Though all desires for grace are not grace, yet such a desire as this, is a desire of God's own raising, and he will not forsake the work of his own hands. 5. The merciful are happy. We must not only bear our own afflictions patiently, but we must do all we can to help those who are in misery. We must have compassion on the souls of others, and help them; pity those who are in sin, and seek to snatch them as brands out of the burning. 6. The pure in heart are happy; for they shall see God. Here holiness and happiness are fully described and put together. The heart must be purified by faith, and kept for God. Create in me such a clean heart, O God. None but the pure are capable of seeing God, nor would heaven be happiness to the impure. As God cannot endure to look upon their iniquity, so they cannot look upon his purity. 7. The peace-makers are happy. They love, and desire, and delight in peace; and study to be quiet. They keep the peace that it be not broken, and recover it when it is broken. If the peace-makers are blessed, woe to the peace-breakers! 8. Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are happy. This saying is peculiar to Christianity; and it is more largely insisted upon than any of the rest. Yet there is nothing in our sufferings that can merit of God; but God will provide that those who lose for him, though life itself, shall not lose by him in the end. Blessed Jesus! how different are thy maxims from those of men of this world! They call the proud happy, and admire the gay, the rich, the powerful, and the victorious. May we find mercy from the Lord; may we be owned as his children, and inherit his kingdom. With these enjoyments and hopes, we may cheerfully welcome low or painful circumstances.
vv13-16
Ye are the salt of the earth. Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace. If they are not such as they should be, they are as salt that has lost its savour. If a man can take up the profession of Christ, and yet remain graceless, no other doctrine, no other means, can make him profitable. Our light must shine, by doing such good works as men may see. What is between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open to the sight of men, we must study to make suitable to our profession, and praiseworthy. We must aim at the glory of God.
Key Words
ὄχλος (óchlos): a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō): to go up (literally or figuratively)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὄρος (óros): perhaps akin to G142 (αἴρω); compare G3733 (ὄρνις)); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καθίζω (kathízō): to seat down, i.e. set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
προσέρχομαι (prosérchomai): to approach, i.e. (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
ἀνοίγω (anoígō): to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
Cross References
Matthew 5The parallel discourse in Luke's Gospel containing the corresponding Beatitudes and woes.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct verbal quotation: "the meek shall inherit the earth."
Supported by Matthew Poole
The sixth commandment quoted by Jesus to begin His exposition of heart-murder.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The seventh commandment quoted as the basis of Jesus' teaching on mental adultery.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
The original OT commandment ('love thy neighbour') which the scribes corrupted by adding 'hate thine enemy'.
Supported by John Calvin, Matthew Poole
Parallel account in the Luke sermon commanding love for enemies and doing good to haters.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Messianic prophecy of preaching good tidings to the poor in spirit/meek.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
God looks to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit.
Supported by Matthew Poole
James echoes Jesus' prohibition of swearing by heaven, earth, or other oaths.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The lex talionis (law of retaliation) cited by Jesus to teach non-resistance.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel instruction on acting as children of the Highest by showing mercy to the unthankful.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
The parallel version of the perfection command: 'Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father is merciful.'
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
A broken and contrite heart defines the "poor in spirit" accepted by God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophecy of giving beauty for ashes and comfort to those who mourn.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Christ promises that his disciples' sorrow will be turned into joy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, fulfilling it.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Parallel statement on the permanent authority of the law's smallest details.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel exhortation to sever causing-to-sin limbs (eye, hand, foot) to escape hell.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Old Testament civil permission for a bill of divorcement which Jesus curtails.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Identifies heaven as God's throne and the earth as His footstool, justifying Jesus' restriction.
Supported by Matthew Poole
OT proverb instructing to give bread and water to a hungry or thirsty enemy.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul's application of the enemy-love principle, citing Proverbs regarding feeding and watering enemies.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Apostolic summary of enemy love: overcoming evil with good instead of being overcome.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
OT holiness code foundation: 'Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.'
Supported by John Calvin
Custom of Jewish teachers sitting down to teach, as Christ did.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Another example of Jesus sitting down to teach the people.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts the Pharisees' outward cleanliness with the internal purity of heart Christ demands.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
He who has clean hands and a pure heart will ascend God's hill.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel teaching on disciples being salt and keeping their savour.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel saying regarding not putting a lighted candle under a bushel.
Supported by JFB
Exhortation to good works so that Gentiles may glorify God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul argues that faith does not make void but establishes the law.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallel instruction to reconcile quickly with an adversary while on the way to court.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Levitical basis for not swearing falsely and performing oaths to the Lord.
Supported by John Calvin
Sion/Jerusalem explicitly defined in the Psalm as 'the city of the great King'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Luke's direct parallel to turning the other cheek and offering your cloak.
Supported by JFB