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Matthew 5

48 verses

TL;DR

Jesus delivers the Beatitudes, affirms his authority over the Law, and redefines ethical behavior in the Sermon on the Mount.

Summary

In Matthew 5, Jesus rises on a mountain to teach His disciples and the gathered crowds. He opens with the Beatitudes, proclaiming blessings for the poor in spirit, mourners, meek, those seeking righteousness, merciful, pure-hearted, peacemakers, and persecuted. Jesus then asserts His role to fulfill, not abolish, the Law, emphasizing that even the smallest detail remains binding. He reinterprets the Law, insisting that true righteousness exceeds that of scribes and Pharisees, and introduces higher standards for anger, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies. He urges practical compassion: reconciliations before sacrifices, generosity to the needy, and forgiving enemies to reflect divine love. Finally, he calls His followers to perfect holiness, mirroring the perfection of the Father.

Outline
  1. Beatitudes and promises for the humble
  2. Jesus' authority and redefinition of the Law
  3. Practical teachings on relationships, self‑control, and perfect love
Themes
Blessing of the humbleFulfillment of the LawRadical love and repentance
Keywords
BlessedPersecutionLawRighteousnessLoveEnemiesMercyPeacemakersSaltLightKingdom
People
JesusdisciplesscribesPhariseespublicansbrothersenemies
Places
mountainJerusalemearth
Things
kingdom of heavensalt of the earthlight of the worldlawaltargiftright eyeright handdivorceoatheye for an eye
Key Verses
  • Matthew 5:3: Introduces the first Beatitude, redefining blessing.
  • Matthew 5:16: Calls followers to shine their light as a public witness.
  • Matthew 5:17-18: Affirms Jesus’ mission to fulfill the Law, emphasizing its enduring authority.
  • Matthew 5:44-45: Reveals radical love for enemies, culminating in divine perfection.
  • Matthew 5:48: Concludes with the call to perfect holiness mirroring God.
Questions
  • How does the Beatitudes shift traditional Jewish expectations of who is blessed?
  • In what ways does Jesus’ statement about fulfilling the Law transform Jewish legal practice?
  • Why does Jesus emphasize love for enemies over traditional retaliation?
  • What practical actions does Jesus suggest to reconcile with others before worship?
  • How can the concept of 'light of the world' guide Christian behavior today?
Sentiment

neutral
Text balances blessings with strict ethical demands, reflecting a balanced tone.