50 – Sermon on the Mount Part 1; Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 6:17-26

Matthew 5:1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the [a]mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

3 “[b]Blessed are the [c]poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

5 “Blessed are the [d]gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

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

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

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

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Luke 6:17 Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured. 19 And all the [a]people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.

20 And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are [b]you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are [c]you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to [d]treat the prophets. 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. 25 Woe to you who [e]are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to [f]treat the false prophets in the same way.

Footnotes (Matthew)

a. Matthew 5:1 Or hill

b. Matthew 5:3 I.e. fortunate or prosperous, and so through v 11

c. Matthew 5:3 I.e. those who are not spiritually arrogant

d. Matthew 5:5 Or humble, meek

Footnotes (Luke)

a. Luke 6:19 Lit crowd

b. Luke 6:20 Lit the

c. Luke 6:21 Lit the

d. Luke 6:23 Lit do to

e. Luke 6:25 Lit having been filled

f. Luke 6:26 Lit do to

Commentary

Context

John the Baptist and Jesus had both warned people to repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The Jewish people had believed that kingdom would be a political kingdom, and they came to hear Jesus talk about His imminent reign. “Instead, Jesus talked about a lifestyle – the lifestyle of those who intend to live in the kingdom… As [they] gathered on a hillside… Jesus began to fill out the implications of His appeal for repentance. It would mean far more than an outward show of piety. Indeed, Jesus urged His listeners to make such a complete change of heart and life that they would “be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt 5:48)” (The Word in Life Study Bible pg. 1630). “This message does not tell one how to be saved; it tells one what it is like to be saved. It explains the quality of the life changed by the saving grace of God” (Nelson KJV Bible Commentary pg. 1174).

In addition to the Jewish people from the area, Luke also refers to people from Tyre and Sidon, who were present during Jesus’s teaching. This is remarkable because Tyre and Sidon were often held up as quintessential examples of depravity. They were major seaports on the coast and not only practiced paganism themselves, but introduced their practices into the Jewish community, as well (The Word in Life Study Bible pg. 1786). The passages tell us that many people were drawn by Jesus’s healing ability, which may have been the reason residents of Tyre and Sidon traveled 20+ miles to see Him, but, as was Jesus’s plan, they stayed for the teaching.

This, the longest recorded sermon by Jesus, searches the boundaries between law and grace, ideas that would primarily speak to a Jewish audience bound by legalism. Contrary to what Jesus teaches, there are many people today who suggest we don’t even have to attempt to be righteous because of the grace we have been offered, while others insist on modern-day legalism that binds us entirely to our own feeble strength, rather than the power of grace. “Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has observed: “Some so emphasize the law as to turn the gospel of Jesus Christ with its glorious liberty into nothing but a collection of moral maxims. It is all law to them and there is no grace left. They so talk of the Christian, that it becomes pure legalism and there is no grace in it. Let us remember also that it is equally possible so to overemphasize grace at the expense of the law as again, to have something which is not the gospel of the New Testament” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, pp. 12-15). He goes on to note that the Sermon on the Mount… was preached to people who were meant to practice it not only at that time but ever afterwards as well” (Nelson KJV Bible Commentary pg. 1174).

Not only was this a message for the people, but, as Jesus is addressing His newly-selected disciples, it is something of a formal training for them (Nelson KJV Bible Commentary pg. 1273). The two messages in Matthew and Luke bear striking similarities, but some differences, as well. All the authors of my resources seem to agree that Jesus, as a good teacher, would have reiterated His primary message on many occasions. Therefore, these two accounts, while similar, may not be the same exact event. However, for the purpose of this study, it makes sense to group the content together.

Regarding the content, I do not want my commentary on these passages to exceed the scope of what I intend for my study. My objective from the beginning has been to support the credibility of Jesus as the Christ, and my notes on the messages themselves generally focus on debunking supposed contradictions or highlighting the alignment of the messages with the rest of the Bible. In that vein, even though I will be studying the Sermon on the Mount for the next few weeks, I will keep my comments on the message relatively limited.

Beatitudes (Blessings)

In the original Greek, the word used for Blessed can be translated as ‘to be envied, fortunate, well off, happy.’ (https://biblehub.com/matthew/5-3.htm). Jesus begins His teaching with a list of qualities, the possessors of which should count themselves fortunate. The first virtue Christ points out is to be poor in spirit, and if you think about it, humility is a prerequisite for all the others. The footnotes for Matthew say “poor in spirit” means “not spiritually arrogant”. You cannot always be right and also be a peacemaker, or be self-righteous and yet hunger for righteousness.

Woes

I was wondering about the Woes in Luke when Jesus says “woe to the rich”. I was thinking we often cite passages that say God wants to bless His people, so why then would there be woe to those who are rich, or who are full, or who laugh? Couldn’t those things be blessings from God? Maybe it’s the difference between humble wealth and arrogant wealth: the difference between money and love of money (1 Tim 6:10). The references for Matt 5:3 cite Rev 3:17; You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. “Wealth should be acknowledged as from God, and used in a sacred stewardship” (Nelson KJV Bible Commentary pg. 1273).

See the next post here https://onthepath.online/2020/02/28/sermon-on-the-mount-part-2/

Scripture References

Matthew 5:1

Mark 3:13 Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him.

Luke 6:12 In those days, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

Luke 9:28 About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray.

John 6:3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down with His disciples.

John 6:15 Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

Matthew 5:2

Matthew 13:35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”

Acts 8:35 Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Acts 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,

Acts 18:14 But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.

Matthew 5:3

Isaiah 66:2 Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being, declares the LORD. This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Mark 10:14 But When Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 22:29 And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me,

Luke 22:30 so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?

Revelation 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Matthew 5:4

Isaiah 61:2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah 66:2 Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being, declares the LORD. This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

John 16:20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'”

Matthew 5:5

Psalm 25:13 His soul will dwell in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:9 For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.

Isaiah 29:19 The humble will increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Matthew 5:6

Psalm 63:1 O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.

Psalm 107:9 For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Proverbs 10:24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

Proverbs 21:21 He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all of you who thirst, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk, without money and without cost!

Isaiah 55:2 Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Jeremiah 31:25 for I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.”

John 4:14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

John 6:48 I am the bread of life.

John 7:37 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.

Matthew 5:7

2 Samuel 17:28 They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,

2 Samuel 22:26 To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, and to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;

Psalm 18:25 To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;

Proverbs 11:17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

Proverbs 11:25 A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Matthew 18:33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’

James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Matthew 5:8

2 Samuel 22:27 to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.

Job 19:26 Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.

Psalm 24:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to falsehood, who does not swear deceitfully.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Proverbs 22:11 He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

Revelation 22:4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

Matthew 5:9

Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Romans 8:19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Matthew 5:10

Isaiah 66:5 You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Mark 10:14 But When Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 22:29 And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me,

James 5:11 See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”

Matthew 5:11

Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.

Isaiah 51:7 Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.

Jeremiah 37:14 “That is a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials.

Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,

1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Matthew 5:12

2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Jeremiah 37:14 “That is a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials.

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers–

Romans 5:3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,

1 Thessalonians 2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,

Hebrews 10:34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.

Hebrews 11:33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,

James 5:10 Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Luke 6:17

Matthew 4:25 The large crowds that followed Him came from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Mark 3:7 So Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea, accompanied by a large crowd from Galilee, Judea,

Mark 3:8 Jerusalem, Idumea, the region beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. The large crowd came to Him when they heard what great things He was doing.

Luke 6:12 In those days, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

Luke 6:16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Luke 6:19

Matthew 9:21 She said to herself, “If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed.”

Matthew 14:36 and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.

Mark 3:10 For He had healed so many that all who had diseases were pressing forward to touch Him.

Luke 5:17 One day Jesus was teaching, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. People had come from Jerusalem and from every village of Galilee and Judea, and the power of the Lord was present for Him to heal the sick.

Luke 6:22

John 9:22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.

John 16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Luke 6:23

2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Psalm 58:11 Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”

Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”

Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Luke 6:24

Amos 6:1 Woe to those at ease in Zion and those secure on Mount Samaria, the distinguished ones of the foremost nation, to whom the house of Israel comes.

Matthew 6:2 So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be praised by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Matthew 6:5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Luke 16:25 But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are left to suffer.

James 5:1 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail for the misery to come upon you.

Luke 6:25

James 4:9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.

Luke 6:26

Proverbs 27:21 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Commentary

Matt 5:48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all [a]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.