THE BEATITUDES

1 AND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
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 the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

SALT AND LIGHT
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

TEACHING ABOUT THE LAW
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

TEACHING ABOUT ANGER
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

SIN BEGINS IN THE HEART
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

DIVORCE
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

OATHS
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

RETALIATION
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

ENEMIES
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

1And seeing the multitudes, he went vp into a mountaine: and when he was set, his disciples came vnto him.

2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poore in spirit: for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

4 Blessed are they that mourne: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meeke: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which doe hunger and thirst after righteousnesse: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the mercifull: for they shall obtaine mercie.

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

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall bee called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousnesse sake: for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall reuile you, and persecute you, and shal say all manner of euill against you falsly for my sake.

12 Reioyce, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heauen: For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you.

13 Yee are the salt of the earth: But if the salt haue lost his sauour, wherewith shall it bee salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be troden vnder foote of men.

14 Yee are the light of the world. A citie that is set on an hill, cannot be hid.

15 Neither doe men light a candle, and put it vnder a bushell: but on a candlesticke, and it giueth light vnto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your father which is in heauen.

17 Thinke not that I am come to destroy the lawe or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

18 For verily I say vnto you, Till heauen and earth passe, one iote or one title, shall in no wise passe from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoeuer therfore shall breake one of these least commaundements, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdome of heauen: but whosoeuer shall doe, and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen.

20 For I say vnto you, That except your righteousnesse shall exceede the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees, yee shall in no case enter into the kingdome of heauen.

21 Yee haue heard, that it was saide by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill: and, Whosoeuer shall kill, shalbe in danger of the iudgement.

22 But I say vnto you, that whosoeuer is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the Iudgement: and whosoeuer shall say to his brother, Racha, shal be in danger of the counsell: but whosoeuer shall say, Thou foole, shalbe in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee:

24 Leaue there thy gift before the altar, and goe thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine aduersarie quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him: least at any time the aduersarie deliuer thee to the iudge, and the iudge deliuer thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Uerily I say vnto thee, thou shalt by no meanes come out thence, till thou hast payd the vttermost farthing.

27 Yee haue heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adulterie.

28 But I say vnto you, That whosoeuer looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adulterie with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eie offend thee, plucke it out, and cast it from thee. For it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. For it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31 It hath beene said, Whosoeuer shall put away his wife, let him giue her a writing of diuorcement.

32 But I say vnto you, that whosoeuer shall put away his wife, sauing for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoeuer shall marie her that is diuorced, committeth adulterie.

33 Againe, yee haue heard that it hath beene said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe, but shalt performe vnto the Lord thine othes.

34 But I say vnto you, Sweare not at all, neither by heauen, for it is Gods throne:

35 Nor by the earth, for it is his footstoole: neither by Hierusalem, for it is the citie of the great king.

36 Neither shalt thou sweare by thy head, because thou canst not make one haire white or blacke.

37 But let your communication bee Yea, yea: Nay, nay: For whatsoeuer is more then these, commeth of euill.

38 Yee haue heard that it hath beene said, An eie for an eie, and a tooth for a tooth.

39 But I say vnto you, that yee resist not euill: but whosoeuer shall smite thee on thy right cheeke, turne to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coate, let him haue thy cloake also.

41 And whosoeuer shall compell thee to goe a mile, goe with him twaine.

42 Giue to him that asketh thee: and from him that would borrow of thee, turne not thou away.

43 Yee haue heard, that it hath beene said, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour, and hate thine enemie:

44 But I say vnto you, Loue your enemies, blesse them that curse you, doe good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully vse you, and persecute you:

45 That yee may be the children of your father which is in heauen: for he maketh his sunne to rise on the euill and on the good, and sendeth raine on the iust, and on the vniust.

46 For if yee loue them which loue you, what reward haue yee? Doe not euen the Publicanes the same?

47 And if yee salute your brethren only, what do you more then others? Doe not euen the Publicanes so?

48 Be yee therefore perfect, euen as your father, which is in heauen, is perfect.

i == Mark 3:13 ; Luke 6:17 ; 20-23 John 6:3

 

 

 

III == Ps 51:17 ; Luke 6:20 ; 22:29

 

IV == Isa 61:2 ; John 16:2 ; Rev 7:17

V == Is 55:12 ; Ps 37:11 ; John 4:14 ; 6:48-51 ; Rom 4:13

VI == Isa 55:1 65:13 ; Ps 37:11

VII == Ps 15:2 ; 24:4 ; Heb 12:14 ; Matt 6:14 ; Mark 11:25 ; 1st John 3:2 ; Rev 22:4

 

X == 2nd Cor 4:17 ; 2nd Tim 2:12 ; 1st Peter 3:14 4:14

 

 

XI == Luke 6:22 ; 1st Peter 4:14

 

 

XII == 2nd Chr 36:16 ; Matt 23:37 ; Luke 6:23 ; Acts 5:41 ; 7:52 ; 1st Thess 2:15 ; James 5:10

 

XIII == Mark 9:49-50 ; Luke 14:34-35

 

 

 

XIV == Prov 4:18 ; Phil 2:15 ; Eph 5:8 ; John 5:1 ; 8:12 ;

XV == Mark 4:21 ; Luke 8:16 ; 11:33

 

 

XVI == Luke 11:33 ; Mark 4:21 ; John 15:8 ; 1st Peter 2:12

 

 

XVII == Rom 3:31 ; 10:4 ; Gal 3:24

 

XVIII == Luke 16:17 ; Mark 13:31

 

XIX == James 2:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXI == Ex 20:13 ; Deut 5:17 ; 16:18 ; Rom 9:31 ; 10:3

 

 

XXII == 2nd Sam 6:20 ; 1st John 3:15 ; James 2:20

 

 

 

 

 

XXIII == Matt 8:4 ; 23:19

 

XXIV == Job 42:8 ; Matt 18:19 ; 1st Tim 2:8 ; 1st Peter 3:7

 

XXV == Ps 32:6 ; Prov 25:8 ; Isa 55:6 ; Luke 12:58-59

 

 

XXVI == Luke 12:57-59

 

 

 

 

XXVII == Ex 20:14 ; Deut 5:18

 

XXVIII == Gen 34:2 ; Prov 6:25

 

 

XXIX == Matt 18:8-9 ; 19:12 ; Mark 9:43-47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXXI == Deut 24:1 ; Jer 3:1 ; Matt 19:3-12 ; Mark 10:2-12

XXXII == Matt 19:9 ; Luke 16:18 ; Rom 7:3 ; 1st Cor 7:10-11

 

 

 

XXXIII == Ex 20:7 ; Lev 19:12 ; Num 30:2 ; Deut 5:11

 

XXXIV == Isa 66:1 ; Matt 23:16 , 18 , 22

 

XXXV == Ps 48:2 ; 87:3

 

 

 

XXXVII Col 4:6 ; James 5:12

 

 

XXXVIII == Ex 21:24 ; Lev 24:20 ; Deut 19:21

 

XXXIX ==Luke 6:29 ; 1st Peter 3:6

 

 

 

XLI == Matt 27:32 ; Mark 15:21

 

 

 

XLIII == Lev 19:18 ; Deut 23:6

 

 

 

 

 

XLV == Job 25:3

 

 

 

XLVI == Luke 6:32

 

 

 

 

XLVIII == Luke 6:36 ; Eph 5:1 ; Col 1:28 ; 4:12 ; James 1:4 ; 1st Peter 1:15-16

1 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 20 I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny. 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 31 "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.' 32 But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 "Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.' 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one. 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, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 40 If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. 41 Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

v 1,2. Lk. 6:20-49 are a shorter version of the Sermon on the Mount found here. The difference in location is no problem. In Luke Jesus prayed on the mountain and selected the twelve Apostles, v 12, came to the plain to talk and heal, 17-19, then climbed the mountain to get away from the crowd and teach the disciples, Mt. 5:1, but the crowd followed to hear His sermon. He has offered the Kingdom, so He gives the type of conduct which should be present in it. A proper standard for followers yet today.

V 3-12. Blessed is happy or fortunate (a close relationship with God) V 3. THE POOR IN SPIRIT: These rely on God, that is the humble and they whose spirit is not set upon riches.

V 4. The mourners present their need for comfort;

V 5. Truly humble can appreciate their place;

V 6. Spiritual appetites will be satisfied;

V 7. Merciful demonstrate God’s mercy to them;

V 8. The inwardly clean are assured of God’s presence;

V 9. Peacemakers show others how to have inward peace with God;

V 10. God’s righteousness may bring persecution;

V 11,12. Speaking now directly to the disciples, there is a change from “they” to “you”. Servants of the Lord will suffer persecution, but can rejoice, knowing the distant future.

MT 5:13 SALT AND LIGHT

v 13-16. Jesus changes from beatitudes, happiness to similitudes, comparisons. Salt is desirable and a preservative, and we should maintain those qualities in life. In a similar parable, Lk. 14:34,35, the context is discipleship. If we don’t have the qualities of a disciple, mentioned in Luke, we are as worthless as salt which has no flavor. Light gives direction, and our deeds should be such that we will direct others to God. 17 - 20 The Relation of Jesus to the Law.

MT 5:17 THE FULFILLMONT OF THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS

v 17-20. What Jesus opposed was the additions to the law made up by man in the Mishnah, which makes up the major part of the Talmud. There were 365 negative commands (Thou shalt not), one for each day of the year, and 248 positive. (1/2 or 3/5 mile could be walked on Sabbath, but lay coat down and walk another etc. Ceremonially wash hands before eating grain in the field, and only in water consecrated by the priests. Ceremonial dish washing.
Jesus did not compete against the Law, but fulfilled it. “Verily” is used by Matthew 31 times, meaning Surely, or I tell you the truth. In original Hebrew it is Amen, the most universally used word in the world. A jot compares to the dot of an i, and title to the difference between a P and R. Truly, the tiniest parts of the law and the prophets would be obeyed and fulfilled by Christ. The people needed that kind of faith and inner righteousness to enter the kingdom, not the external rules of the Pharisees. A teacher will be honored to the extent he honors the law.

21 - 26 Concerning Murder

MT 5:21 CONCERNING ANGER

Verses 21-26 Jesus acts with divine authority to deepen and perfect the moral codes of the Mosaic law called the "Six Antithesis" It follows a format, Jesus cities the old law saying " you have heard that it was said" ( 5:21 , 27 , 31 , 33 , 39 , 43) Then He response "But I say to You" ( 5:22 , 28 , 32 , 34 , 39 , 44) This sets Jesus ' authority as a new Moses and a lawgiver of the New Covenant ( Math 2:16 17:5)

v 21-26. Six times Jesus said, “Ye have heard, but I tell you”. Unjust anger and hatred qualify one for eternal punishment if not confessed and forgiven. Reconciliation must be made whether the innocent or offender takes the first step, or a gift at the altar is of no value. Even on the way to court, seek reconciliation or face consequences.
27 - 30 Adultery.

MT 5:27 CONCERNING ADULTER

v 27-30. Lust in the heart leads to adultery. Removing an eye would not erase lust, so this refers to removal of the inward cause of offense, a change of the heart.

SCANDALIZE THEE: Thst is an occasion of sin or a stumblingblock to thee. By which we are taught to fly the immediate occasions of sin, as necessary as a hand or an eye, though they be as deer to us.

 

MT 5:31 CONCERNING DIVORCE

v 31,32. Jesus is clear that God’s plan is for couples to remain married, exception being fornication. (I would consider abuse an exception due to “hardness of hearts”) For more comments on divorce and remarriage see notes on 19:3-9 and 1 Cor. 7.

MT 5:33 CONCERNING SWEARING OATHS

V 33-37 Truthfulness In Speech v 33-37. Pharisees were proliferate in oaths, but with unjust mental reservations. According to Jesus, our word should be sufficient. However He responded to an oath, 26:23, 24, as did Paul, 2 Cor.

MT 5:38 CONCERNING RETALIATION

 

 

NOT TO RESIST EVIL: What is here commanded, is a Christian patience under affronts and injuries, and to be willing even to suffer still more, rather than to indulge the desire of revenge: What is further added does not strictly oblige according to the letter, for neither did Christ nor St. Paul turn the other cheek. Acts 23 and St. John 18.

MT 5:43 LOVE FOR ENEMIES

v 43-48. Pharisees thought hating enemies was a means of God’s judgment on them, but Jesus placed their attitude along with that of tax collectors and pagans. This was a revolutionary teaching that is foreign to many people still today.

THE PUBLICANS: These were the gatherers of the public taxes: men who were odious and infamous among the Jews because of their extortion and injustice. If we follow His teaching we will be developing on the way to spiritual maturity in the Lord. Old Testament People and Events mentioned by Jesus Matt: 12:42 David and the Show bread 1 Samuel 21:6 Matt: 12:42 Solomon and the Queen of Sheba 1 King 10:1 Matt 24:15 Daniel and the abomination of Desolation. Daniel 9:27 11:31 12:11 Matt: 12:40 16:4 Jonah and the fish Jonah 1:17 Matt: 12:41 Lk 11:30 The Repentance of Nineveh Jonah 3:4-10