Matthew — Chapter 5

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1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

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

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

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

6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after 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 the children of God.

10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13Ye 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.

14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15Neither 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.

16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18For 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.

19Whosoever 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.

20For 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.

21Ye 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:

22But 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.

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

24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25Agree 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.

26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29And 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.

30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if 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.

31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32But 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.

33Again, 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:

34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:

35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44But 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;

45That 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.

46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:

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

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

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

6Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after 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 sons of God.

10Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness` sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are ye when [men] shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.

14Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.

15Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that 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.

17Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.

18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.

19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.

23If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,

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

25Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.

27Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.

30And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.

31It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.

33Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the 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 shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil [one].

38Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

41And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.

42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:

44but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;

45that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.

46For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others?] do not even the Gentiles the same?

48Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him.

2Then he began to teach them by saying:

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

11Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.

12Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

13“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people!

14You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.

15People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.

16In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them.

18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place.

19So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!

21“You have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’

22But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell.

23So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you,

24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift.

25Reach agreement quickly with your accuser while on the way to court, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison.

26I tell you the truth, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!

27“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’

28But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

30If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

31“It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.’

32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

33“Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

34But I say to you, do not take oaths at all—not by heaven because it is the throne of God,

35not by earth because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem because it is the city of the great King.

36Do not take an oath by your head because you are not able to make one hair white or black.

37Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.

38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

39But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.

40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your coat also.

41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

42Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.

43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’

44But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,

45so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they?

47And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they?

48So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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 after 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.

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.

14You 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.

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.

19Whoever, therefore, 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.

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; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council; and 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.

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.

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.

33“Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, ‘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.

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.

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.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes and raises the standard of the Law from outward behavior to the condition of the heart — teaching that righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.

Authorship & Background

Author: Matthew (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapters 5-7 contain the Sermon on the Mount — the most famous and comprehensive teaching of Jesus. It was delivered on a hillside near Capernaum, likely early in His Galilean ministry. Matthew presents it as the first of five major discourses in his Gospel (echoing the five books of Moses), establishing Jesus as the new Moses giving a new law from a new mountain.
The Sermon on the Mount is not a plan of salvation — it is a description of kingdom character. It describes what citizens of God's kingdom look like from the inside out. It is not a new law to earn God's favor but a portrait of the life that flows from genuine transformation.
Chapter 5 contains three sections: (1) The Beatitudes (vv.3-12) — the character of kingdom citizens (2) Salt and Light (vv.13-16) — the influence of kingdom citizens (3) The Law Fulfilled (vv.17-48) — the righteousness of kingdom citizens
The Six Antitheses ("You have heard... but I say"): Jesus does not contradict the Law — He deepens it, going from external behavior to internal motivation. Murder begins with anger; adultery begins with lust. The kingdom requires heart transformation, not just behavioral compliance.

Map & Geography

  • The Mount (near Capernaum): The Sermon on the Mount was delivered on a hillside near Capernaum in Galilee. Tradition identifies it with the hill above the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.
  • Galilee: Jesus' primary ministry region in northern Israel. The sermon was given early in His Galilean ministry.
  • Jerusalem/Temple references (vv.23-24, 35): Jesus references the altar and Jerusalem as "the city of the great King," showing the audience's connection to the worship center in Judea.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines each beatitude in depth, the meaning of salt and light, Jesus' relationship to the Law, and the six antitheses — particularly the teaching on anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and enemy love.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Beatitudes" on vv.3-12 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 571) "Blessed are the poor in spirit — not the proud, not the self-sufficient, not the religiously accomplished. The poor in spirit. The man who knows he has nothing, brings nothing, deserves nothing — and comes to God empty-handed. That man gets the kingdom." Sermon: "Love Your Enemies" on v.44 (MTP Vol. 18, No. 1063) "Love your enemies. Not tolerate them. Not avoid them. Love them. Bless them. Pray for them. This is not natural — it is supernatural. It is the mark of a man who has been transformed by the love of God."

Reflection

  • 1. The Beatitudes describe a man who is spiritually poor, mourning over sin, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, and willing to be persecuted. Which of these describes you most? Which describes you least? What does the gap reveal?
  • 2. "Ye are the salt of the earth" (v.13). Salt preserves and flavors. Your presence in your workplace, your neighborhood, your family should make a difference — preserving what is good, adding flavor to life. Are you functioning as salt, or have you lost your saltiness by blending in?
  • 3. Jesus says anger toward a brother is the heart of murder (v.22). Is there someone you are angry with — a slow burn of resentment, contempt, or bitterness? Jesus says deal with it before you bring your worship (v.23-24). Who do you need to be reconciled with?
  • 4. "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (v.28). Jesus goes to the heart. What disciplines do you have in place to guard your eyes and your mind? Are they working?
  • 5. "Love your enemies" (v.44). Name one person who has wronged you, hurt you, or is hostile to you. What would it look like to bless them, do good to them, and pray for them this week?
  • 6. The Beatitudes begin with "poor in spirit" — recognizing our spiritual bankruptcy. This is the opposite of the self-made man mentality. How does the culture of masculinity you grew up in conflict with the posture of spiritual poverty? What does it cost a man to admit he has nothing before God?
  • 7. Jesus says our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees (v.20) — men who were externally impeccable. The standard is internal. How do you evaluate your own spiritual condition — by external behavior or by the state of your heart?
  • 8. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (v.48). In context, this is about love — loving completely, without partiality. How complete is your love? Do you love only those who love you back, or do you love across lines of hostility and difference?
  • 9. Jesus says to go a second mile (v.41) — Roman soldiers could compel Jews to carry their gear one mile. Jesus says go two. Where in your life is God calling you to go beyond what is required — in your marriage, your parenting, your work, your service?
  • 10. The six antitheses ("You have heard... but I say") show that Jesus has authority over the Law — He doesn't just interpret it, He deepens it. What does it mean to you that Jesus speaks with that kind of authority? How does it change how you read His commands?